Sailfish Tournaments To Follow in 2026

Fort Lauderdale, FL - January 18, 2026

Written By: Olivia Hledin

Another tournament storyline worth following in 2026 is the Florida sailfish circuit, where several high-profile events will once again bring together top crews, challenging conditions, and consistent offshore action.

This season, we’ll be spending significant time on the water alongside JC Carlson, a 21-year-old captain of Two Conchs Sportfishing, capturing behind-the-scenes and on-the-water content throughout multiple sailfish tournament series.

Key Sailfish Events on the 2026 Schedule

The main events we’ll be tracking and covering include:

• Bluewater Movements Series (three legs)

  • Operation Sailfish (January 16 & 17)

  • Sailfish Challenge (February 20 & 21)

  • Final Sail (April 10 & 11)

• Jimmy Johnson Billfish Tournament (March 6 & 7)

  
  

Each of these tournaments offers a different format, set of conditions, and competitive dynamic, making them ideal platforms for documenting both the strategy and the realities of offshore tournament fishing.

Operation Sailfish: Opening the Season

The first leg of the Bluewater Movements Series, Operation Sailfish, took place in mid-January and served as the season opener. Weather conditions were far from ideal, with persistent rain and cold temperatures, but it provided a valuable opportunity to get back into rhythm following the offseason and begin preparations for the remaining legs of the series.

For this event, we ran Captain JC’s new 38-foot Freeman, backed by Monster Energy, which proved itself immediately. Despite the rough conditions, the boat handled long runs and changing weather without issue, allowing us to cover water efficiently and stay focused on fishing.

Looking Ahead

With the first event in the books, attention now turns to the remaining legs of the Bluewater Movements Series and the upcoming Jimmy Johnson tournament. More time on the water, more competition, and more opportunities to document the sailfish scene are on the horizon.

2026 is shaping up to be a busy year, and this is just the start.