Editor's Note: Following the conclusion of the Gulfport Mississippi Open, Sport Fishing Championship officials upheld a formal protest regarding two billfish releases recorded by the Mississippi Blues Angling Club. The ruling resulted in the disqualification of both catches and a revision to the final tournament and divisional standings. The leaderboard and standings reflected in this article have been updated to reflect the official results.
After jumping out to an early lead on Day 1 and steadily adding to it throughout the weekend, the Gulf Coast Cowboys capped off a dominant performance Sunday to win the Gulfport Mississippi Open, presented by Guidesly, with 2,800 points, more than doubling the score of the nearest challenger.
Powered by six blue marlin releases and one white marlin release the Cowboys earned their first tournament victory since 2024.The Cowboys entered Championship Sunday holding a sizable advantage, but they wasted little time putting additional distance between themselves and the field.
At 2:09 PM, Jordon Benefield released yet another blue marlin, the Cowboys' sixth blue marlin of the event, increasing their total to 2,800 points and effectively ending any hopes of a late charge from the competition.
The defending Gulf Division champions refused to go quietly. The Texas Lone Stars AC opened Championship Sunday by reclaiming second place when Bryan Richter released a sailfish at 8:24 AM. Later in the afternoon, Chad Schimitus added another sailfish release, giving Texas three sailfish releases during the tournament to pair with their two blue marlin releases.
They finished the event with 1,125 points and remain firmly in the hunt for the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs
The Third Coast Renegades AC entered Gulfport leading the Gulf Division standings and spent much of Championship Sunday battling for second place.
Louisiana Canyons AC finally broke through Sunday morning when Jaselyn Berthelot released a white marlin to put the team on the leaderboard after a difficult start to the event. Later in the afternoon, Berthelot reported a cutlass bearing issue that hampered the crew’s efforts to mount a larger comeback.
The West Florida Black Flags AC also found success during the tournament with a white marlin release from Marty Wilson on Day 2, earning valuable divisional points despite challenging conditions.
FINAL LEADERBOARD
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 2,800 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 1,125 Points
Third Coast Renegades - 1,000 Points
Mississippi Blues - 550 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 100 Points
Louisiana Canyons - 100 Points
The updated leaderboard also causes changes to the season standings:
DIVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER 2 OF 6 GULF TOURNAMENTS
Third Coast Renegades - 6,300 Points
Gulf Coast Cowboys - 5,900 Points
Texas Lone Stars - 5,600 Points
Mississippi Blues - 5,400 Points
Louisiana Canyons - 5,200 Points
West Florida Black Flags - 4,600 Points
Dino McDowell released the last fish of the tournament, which ultimately became a walk-off blue marlin.
The Flock cap off a historic weekend by avenging their second place Atlantic Division finish in 2025.
The Sea Birds mount a furious rally to be within striking distance of their old rivals from 2025
The Flock cap off a historic weekend by avenging their second place Atlantic Division finish in 2025.
Lights Out Boston start hot in defense of their tournament win last year.
The Atlantic Division caps off its regular season in Ocean City
