Pescadora Billfish Championship

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms in the Pescadora family 🩷

“ Nothing lasts forever. So live it up, drink it down, laugh it off, avoid the drama, take chances and never have regrets because at one point everything you did was exactly what you wanted.”
-Marilyn Monroe

📸 Calling all Lady Anglers who fished the Pescadora Billfish Championship!

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to enter the Pescadora On Deck Photo Contest sponsored by Hook Optics.

If you’ve got a great shot from the tournament wearing your Hook Optics gear, now’s the time to submit it. Just click the link below!
https://bit.ly/PescadoraOnDeckPhotoSubmissions

Bent rods. Big fish. Dockside celebrations.
Just make sure your Hook Optics gear is visible in the photo.

⏳ Entries close tomorrow, get yours in before it’s too late!
https://bit.ly/PescadoraOnDeckOfficialRules

Paige Bayliss on Tarheel has been crowned our 2026 IGFA RELEASE DIVISION FEMALE ANGLER OF THE YEAR, with an impressive 18 sailfish released. 🏆
A true display of consistency, skill, and determination on the water.

Paige and her Tarheel team, our 2022 Champions, return to the leaderboard once again, proving that excellence is never accidental.

Congratulations Paige on a spectacular performance and a well-deserved title! 🏆🎣✨


📸:

Another unforgettable edition of Pescadora has officially wrapped! With 67 teams and 313 anglers, you were absolutely unstoppable on the water, showcasing the talent, determination, and heart that make this tournament truly one of a kind.

Pescadora is more than a competition ,it’s about challenging ourselves, building lifelong bonds, and honoring the incredible presence of women in sportfishing.

Here’s a quick look at the stats:
🎣 1,293 billfish released in just 2 days ‼️
🐠 10 dorado
🐟 7 tuna
📜 47% of releases were IGFA
🍾 134 bottles of bubbly

Top Team Overall 2026
🥇 1st Place: Tarheel – 5,520 points
🥈 2nd Place: Sweet Spot – 4,400 points
🥉 3rd Place: Los Hermanos – 3,720 points
🏅 4th Place: Mama Seatas – 3,600 points

🏆 Top Female Angler – IGFA Release Division:
Paige Bayliss (Tarheel) – 18 Sailfish released

🏆 Top Female Angler of the Year – Hook and Hand Division:
Margaret Cabell (Tag-N-Stick) – 19 Sailfish released

🏆 Top Female Junior Angler of the Year:
Elizabeth Arn (E&A) – 20 Sailfish released

Dorado Grand Champion 🐠✨
The Dorado Grand Champion with a combined total of 52.2 points went to Lights Out.
Their anglers delivered precision and power when it mattered most, making every bite count.
Casey Carmichael – 28.4 lb Dorado
Jackie Hayes – 23.8 lb Dorado

Tuna Grand Champion 🐟🔥
The Tuna Grand Champion with a combined total of 270.4 points went to Stress Reeliever 1. Another year claiming the Tuna Grand Champion title.
Connie Balusek – 111 lb and 30.2 lb
Kimberly Kuykendall – 81.2 lb and 48 lb

Congratulations to all the anglers for an outstanding performance! Every release and every moment on the water reflects the passion and commitment that make Pescadora so special. Thank you for being part of this amazing journey.

A heartfelt thank you to all our marketing partners who help make this event possible. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

And a very special thank you to our incredible crew who make this tournament happen year after year.

Pescadora 2026 presented by

The Hook Optics “Pescadora On Deck” Photo Contest is officially underway, and we want to see all of you amazing lady anglers in action! Either on deck or having a great time during the festivities sporting your Hook Optics!

Don’t wait! Submissions close March 5 at 11:59 PM!
Simply scan the QR Code(s) that were provided your gift bag to access our and for the complete rules.

🗳️ Voting ends: March 20 (11:59 PM)
To cast a valid vote:
✔ Like/Follow the Hook Optics page
✔ Like the specific contest photo

🏆 Winner wins a Pair of Hook Optics Polarized Sunglasses of their choice!
Announced on March 22, 2026

COSTA RICA, PESCADORA-STYLE - InTheBite Experience Costa Rica's Pescadora - the world's premier ladies-only billfish tournament. 260 female anglers caught 1,741 billfish in 2 days.