Atlantic Division Power Rankings: July 23
Here's how SFC Insider ranks the Atlantic Division after OBBC heading into the Huk Big Fish Classic this week.
The Atlantic division is set to complete another doubleheader this week with the Huk Big Fish Classic in Ocean City, Maryland. But before we can look ahead, let’s look back at the historic week that was the Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic and how each club ranks coming out of it.
1) Lights Out New England Angling Club: The very clear number one on this list after an incredible performance, setting new SFC records in single day billfish releases with 39, and overall tournament releases with 47. All were white marlin. This also marked three consecutive OBBC titles for both Captain Tyler Dufresne and mate Kyle Paparelli.
The victory gives Lights Out a healthier margin over East Coast Remix for second place in the Atlantic Division standings, and nipping at the leading New Jersey Sea Birds.
2) New Jersey Sea Birds Angling Club: Finishing behind Lights Out in second place, the Sea Birds ended up going 35/50 on White Marlin. So there was a chance that they could’ve won their second tournament of the season and possibly clinched the top seed in the Atlantic division for the Zane Grey championship playoffs.The boys from exit 98 also cleaned up in the tuna category as well, earning nearly $300,000.
3) East Coast Remix Angling Club: No slouches in third place, the unfortunate part for them is that they now trail Lights Out New England by a much wider margin for the final playoff berth.
Being back in Ocean City though should bring extra motivation. We spoke to mate Jorge Corzo about a fish that got away last year and I’m sure the squad is out for revenge. A win here will put them back in the driver’s seat with just one stop to go.
4) South Carolina Outcast Angling Club: A strong, fourth place finish came at the result of missing the hot bite, experienced on the previous day by Remix, Sea Birds, and Lights Out. With the Huk Big Fish Classic having a similar rule, set with regard to fishing windows, expect Outcast to go out with the leaders instead of marching to the beat of their own drum.
5) New York Granders Angling Club: A hot start for the ladies during the first day of action fizzled quickly. One highlight of the weekend was angler Kodi Smith Austin’s first white marlin of her career. She’s brought in the blues, and caught several sailfish during her travels to South Florida, but her OBBC ended with a dive into the marina to celebrate. Congratulations on adding another species to the list.
A long tuna fight by angler Kelly Young ended disappointingly when the fish shaved off right at the boat, missing out on a potential payday in the meatfish categories.
Expect the Granders to bounce back in a big way this week.
6) North Carolina Flare: A previous scheduling conflict required the Flare to charter a different team last week. Unfortunately, for them, it resulted in a similar outcome to their first charter at the season opening Fort Lauderdale Billfish Open. Not only do we look forward to welcoming back Capt. Brian Dressler and crew, but we also see them contending at the top of the leaderboard this week.
7) South Florida Sails: A scratch in the last event, and will likely scratch again this week. Similar to Alabama Eglin club in the Gulf Division, new ownership will likely be taking over in 2026 to field a permanent crew.