Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” – Championship Fishing Week Recap With Two Conchs Sportfishing

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – March 18^th, 2026

Written By: Olivia Hledin

At the beginning of March, our team had the opportunity to attend one of the most iconic events in sportfishing: Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week, hosted at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

We were back on the water with a familiar crew, Two Conchs Sportfishing, who brought two boats to this year’s tournament. Matt joined Captain Jack aboard the 43’ Freeman, while I was on the 38’ Freeman with Captain JC, giving us a full perspective across both crews.

The Two Conchs 43' Team included:

• Boat Captain: Capt. Jack Carlson

• Designated Anglers: Matt Kreifels, Mike Agostino & Ryan Miller

• Mates / Anglers: Capt. Tucker Carlson, Capt. Emanuell "Manny" Souza,

  & Aaron Sutcliffe

• Designated Mate: Brit VonRuden

• Video Capture: Matthew Hledin

The Two Conchs 38' Team included:

• Boat Captain: Capt. JC Carlson

• Designated Anglers: Jon Appling

• Mates / Anglers: Capt. Michael Ruiz, Capt. Cam Null, & Alex Moherek

• Video Capture: Olivia Hledin

The 43’ team came out strong on Day 1, putting together an impressive performance with six sailfish releases, including a last minute "buzzer beater" that shot the Two Conchs 43' Team up into the Top 13 boats. The 38’ crew had a slower start, but bounced back on Day 2 with three releases. We had a few tough breaks and missed opportunities, likely leaving another five or six fish on the table. It happens!

More Than Just A Tournament

What really sets the Jimmy Johnson event apart is the level of organization and the overall experience.

Each day, boats return to the marina to a full welcome: drinks, snacks, and a smooth check-in process to turn in scorecards. Throughout the day, there’s live trivia running over the radio, real-time scoring online, and constant engagement that keeps everyone dialed in.

The energy is hard to describe unless you’ve been there. It’s a mix of high-stakes competition and tight-knit community, all wrapped into one of the biggest tournaments of the year.

With $1 million on the line and a Super Bowl-style championship ring, every team shows up ready to perform.

The Hard Rock Finale

After two days of fishing, everything wraps up with a massive celebration at the Hard Rock.

Captains, anglers, crews, and families all come together for the awards ceremony and evening event. The space is filled with brand activations, booths, and vendors from across the industry.

One of the coolest touches - every participant receives a card and a bag of casino chips, which can be used throughout the venue to pick up gear, merch, and giveaways from the brands on site. It adds a unique, interactive element that fits perfectly with the Hard Rock atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

It was an incredible experience to be part of such a high-profile and well-run event.

We’re proud of both Two Conchs crews for staying competitive and pushing through the ups and downs that come with tournament fishing at this level. Can’t wait for next year!