As the new Sport Fishing Championship season quickly approaches, roster speculation surrounding the West Florida Black Flags has played out in dramatic fashion. After what looked to be the return of two-time SFC champion Justin Drummond to league competition, talks appeared to have stalled.
Sources close to the angling club now point to Captain Danny Watts and Marty Wilson being set to return to the West Florida Black Flags for 2026. From January, our reporting indicated that Watts and Wilson were in contention, pending they secure a new vessel with updated sonar capabilities. They seem to have followed through on their end of the deal, with Captain Watts now skippering American Made, a 2008 54’ Hatteras convertible.
Bringing Watts & company back into the fold provides continuity along with an opportunity to defend their exhibition title from winning the 2025 Catch Pro-Am alongside NFL players Kyle Rudolph and Blaine Gabbert.
SFC Insider Rudy Tomarchio is reaching out for comment from the Black Flags organization for official word on whether the signing is official. Be sure to follow along as this confirmation will leave one final chip to fall to finalize the 2026 Gulf Division field.
Dino McDowell released the last fish of the tournament, which ultimately became a walk-off blue marlin.
Garrett Frazier is two blue marlin releases behind Gregg Trenor for most all-time in a single SFC tournament.
Everything taking place offshore in the next to last stop of the Gulf season
Still everything to play for in the Gulf Division as the fleet enters the penultimate stop of their season
Where things stand with both divisions with three weeks left in the regular season
The Lone Stars climb to second in the Hunt for the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs with a near wire-to-wire win.
