Top Buoy Returns to the Grand Caribe Deep Sea Classic 2026

Top Buoy Returns to the Grand Caribe Deep Sea Classic 2026

For the second consecutive year, Top Buoy proudly competed in the Grand Caribe Deep Sea Classic, one of the Caribbean's premier offshore fishing tournaments. Hosted each summer in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, the event attracts some of the best captains and anglers from across Belize and internationally to compete for cash prizes, bragging rights, and the chance to land the fish of a lifetime.

Why Belize is a World-Class Sportfishing Destination

Many people know Belize for its beaches and barrier reef, but fewer realize it's also one of the best offshore fishing destinations in the Caribbean. Just a short run from Ambergris Caye, anglers can target blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, dorado, and more. The proximity of deep water to the island means you spend less time running and more time fishing—one of the reasons tournaments like the Grand Caribe Deep Sea Classic continue to grow every year.

Back to Defend an Incredible Memory

Last year was one we'll never forget. During the 2025 tournament, Top Buoy hooked and successfully released a 300-pound blue marlin the fish every offshore angler dreams about. It was an incredible battle that became one of our favorite fishing memories and left us excited to return in 2026. We arrived this year hoping lightning would strike twice. As every fisherman knows... The ocean has other plans.

Tournament Format

The Grand Caribe Deep Sea Classic isn't simply about catching the biggest fish. Teams accumulate points throughout the tournament by catching qualifying species, with billfish releases carrying the highest value. Consistency is often just as important as landing one spectacular fish, and every bite can change the leaderboard.

This year's competition featured dozens of experienced crews fishing Belize's offshore waters over multiple days, making every decision—from where to fish to when to move—critically important.

A Different Kind of Bite

While we never found the big blue marlin we were searching for, there was certainly no shortage of action.

Our crew aboard Top Buoy enjoyed numerous hookups with dorado (mahi-mahi) and tuna, keeping the rods bent and the crew busy throughout the tournament. Although those fish weren't enough to push us into the prize standings, every day on the water reminded us why Belize is considered one of the world's greatest offshore fisheries.Sometimes tournament fishing rewards patience.Sometimes it rewards persistence. This year, it simply wasn't our turn.

Congratulations to the Winners

Congratulations to this year's overall champions:

🥇 Change My Mind – 2,568 points

🥈 Do It Nice – 2,560 points

🥉 The Navy – 2,540 points

4️⃣ Man O War – 2,530 points

5️⃣ Maritime – 2,510 points

The battle at the top was incredibly close, with only 58 points separating first through fifth place. The close scores showed how much skill was on display, since one extra fish or billfish release could have changed the final standings.

Our crew aboard Top Buoy finished 14th overall with 55 points. While it wasn't the result we were hoping for after last year's memorable 300-pound blue marlin release, we're proud of the effort our team put in. Tournament fishing is unpredictable, and every year brings a new challenge. We'll take what we learned, build on it, and come back even stronger next year.

Individual Tournament Honors

The tournament also recognized several outstanding individual performances:

• Top Angler: Jack Ganoe (Change My Mind) – 2,528 points

• Top Female Angler: Nichelle Rivera (Do It Nice) – 2,510 points

• Top Junior Angler: Ameth Lara (Carlie)

• Heaviest Dorado: Tex Delbert (Southern Comfort) – 27 lbs

• Heaviest Tuna: Gustavo Giron (Helios) – 13 lbs

• First Wahoo: Gustavo Giron (Helios)

Congratulations to all of this year's winners and everyone who competed.

Fishing with Captain Ricky Luna

Every successful tournament team starts with a great captain, and we couldn't ask for better than Captain Ricky Luna. One of Belize's greatest advantages is having captains who have spent decades learning these waters. Captain Ricky knows how currents, moon phases, bait movement, and changing weather patterns affect the fishing each day. While luck always plays a role offshore, experience often creates the opportunities, and Ricky consistently gives us the best chance to succeed.

Ricky's knowledge of Belize's offshore waters, fish migration, and ability to consistently put us in the right areas is second to none. Whether we're targeting blue marlin, tuna, or dorado, he gives us every opportunity to succeed. We believe he's one of the finest sportfishing captains in Belize.

Already Looking Toward Next Year

Not every tournament ends with a trophy. Sometimes the victory is simply spending two incredible days offshore with friends, sharing laughs, fighting fish, and remembering why we fell in love with fishing in the first place. We'll regroup, retie our leaders, sharpen the hooks, and come back even more determined next year. Because somewhere offshore... there's another blue marlin waiting.

A Tournament Built on Conservation

One of the things that makes this tournament special is its commitment to conservation. Billfish are released rather than harvested, allowing future generations to experience the same excitement of fighting a blue marlin or sailfish. Belize has become a leader in sustainable sportfishing, and tournaments like this help protect one of the country's greatest natural resources while still providing world-class competition.

Life Beyond the Leaderboard

Although every team wants to win, some of the best moments happen between the bites. Watching the sunrise over the Caribbean, hearing the reels scream, celebrating every fish with your crew, and swapping stories back at the marina are what make this tournament so memorable. The friendships built on the docks often last much longer than the tournament itself.

What It Takes to Win

Looking at this year's leaderboard, one thing becomes obvious: consistency wins tournaments. Only 58 points separated first and fifth place, meaning a single quality fish or an extra billfish release could have dramatically changed the final standings. Every decision—where to fish, when to move, and which species to target—matters over the course of the event.

We'll Be Ready

The beauty of tournament fishing is that there's always another season. Every trip teaches you something, every tournament makes you a better team, and every missed opportunity becomes motivation for next year. We'll remember the 300-pound blue marlin from last season, appreciate the dorado and tuna from this one, and start counting down the days until we're back chasing another blue.

Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to Grand Caribe Belize, the tournament organizers, sponsors, volunteers, fellow competitors, and everyone who makes this event possible each year.

The Grand Caribe Deep Sea Classic continues to showcase the incredible sportfishing opportunities Belize has to offer, and we're grateful to be part of it.

We'll see everyone back on the water in 2027. Tight lines from the crew of Top Buoy!