Win $200, $400, or $500 Toward a Full-Day Fishing Charter
In 2024, Sundance Sportfishing launched its first annual Biggest Fish Challenge alongside the ongoing Boat Record Fish Challenge.
Anglers fishing aboard eligible Sundance Sportfishing charters had opportunities to win $200, $400, or $500 toward a full-day fishing charter by catching qualifying fish, topping the seasonal leaderboard, or breaking an existing boat record.
With 14 qualifying fish categories and special bonuses for yellowfin tuna and marlin, there were plenty of ways to win while enjoying an unforgettable Florida Keys fishing adventure.
Archive Notice: The 2024 Biggest Fish Challenge ran from March 1 through December 31, 2024, and its prizes applied to full-day charters in 2025. The Boat Record Fish Challenge was announced as continuing until further notice. Contact Sundance Sportfishing to confirm current promotions, rules, and prize availability.
Challenge #1: 2024 Biggest Fish Challenge
The inaugural Sundance Sportfishing Biggest Fish Challenge began on March 1, 2024, and continued through December 31, 2024.
The angler who reeled in the longest qualifying fish in each species category won:
$200 Off Any Full-Day Charter in 2025
There were 14 qualifying species categories, giving anglers 14 different opportunities to win a $200 charter discount.
To qualify:
- The fish had to be caught during the official challenge period.
- The fish had to meet applicable Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations.
- The fish had to be of legal size.
- The fish had to be caught during a booked charter aboard the Sundance Pursuit or WAFI Stamas charter boat.
- The Sundance Sportfishing captain or captains had final authority over all measurements and eligibility decisions.
Fish were ranked by measured length within their qualifying categories.
$500 Bonus Species: Yellowfin Tuna and Marlin
In addition to the 14 standard categories, anglers could earn a larger charter discount by catching either of the challenge’s bonus species.
Yellowfin Tuna Bonus
Any qualifying yellowfin tuna measuring at least 27 inches earned the angler:
$500 Off a Full-Day Charter in 2025
The yellowfin tuna bonus was limited to one award per charter.
Marlin Bonus
Every qualifying blue or white marlin that was successfully caught, leadered, and released earned the angler:
$500 Off a Full-Day Charter in 2025
There was no limit on the number of qualifying marlin bonuses that could be awarded.
The captain or captains had the final say regarding measurements, release requirements, and eligibility.
2024 Biggest Fish Challenge Species
The 14 qualifying categories for the 2024 Sundance Sportfishing Biggest Fish Challenge were:
- Grouper, excluding Goliath grouper
- Mahi-mahi
- Mutton snapper
- Snapper, including mangrove, lane, and queen snapper
- Barracuda
- Wahoo
- Tuna, including yellowfin, blackfin, bigeye, bonita, and skipjack
- Amberjack
- Cobia
- African pompano
- Mackerel, including king, Spanish, and cero mackerel
- Golden tilefish
- Permit
- Swordfish
Yellowfin tuna also qualified for the separate $500 bonus when the fish met the 27-inch minimum requirement.
Photos, Videos, and Leaderboard Updates
Pictures and videos were taken of anglers with their qualifying catches.
Challenge content could be shared through:
- The Sundance Sportfishing Charters website
- Sundance Sportfishing social media accounts
- YouTube
- Live-streamed social media coverage
Sundance Sportfishing kept anglers updated on the current first-place fish in each category. Leaderboard links were also made available through SundanceSportFishing.com.
When a new angler took the lead in a qualifying category, the leaderboard was updated as soon as possible.
Winners from the 2024 Biggest Fish Challenge were scheduled to be notified by January 4, 2025.
Challenge #2: Boat Record Fish Challenge
The Sundance Sportfishing Boat Record Fish Challenge began on March 1, 2024, and was announced as continuing until further notice.
Unlike the Biggest Fish Challenge, which ranked fish by length during a defined competition period, the Boat Record Fish Challenge rewarded anglers who caught the heaviest qualifying fish ever recorded aboard an eligible Sundance Sportfishing charter boat.
An angler who broke the existing boat record in one of the 14 qualifying species categories won:
$400 Off a Full-Day Charter the Following Year
To qualify for the Boat Record Fish Challenge:
- The fish had to be caught during a booked charter aboard the Sundance Pursuit or WAFI Stamas charter boat.
- The fish had to meet applicable FWC regulations.
- The fish had to be of legal size.
- The fish had to be officially weighed.
- The fish had to exceed the existing Sundance Sportfishing boat record for its category.
- The captain or captains had final authority over weights, measurements, and eligibility.
What Happens When a Fish Leads Both Challenges?
A qualifying fish could potentially take the lead in the Biggest Fish Challenge and also set a new boat record.
When that happened, the angler remained listed as the leader in both categories. However, the $400 Boat Record Challenge discount superseded the $200 Biggest Fish Challenge discount.
In other words, the angler received the larger $400 discount rather than combining the two discounts.
The separate $500 yellowfin tuna and marlin bonus rules remained subject to their stated terms.
Current Sundance Sportfishing Boat Records
The following records were listed at the time of the 2024 challenge announcement.
| Fish Category | Current Record |
|---|---|
| Grouper, excluding Goliath grouper | Black grouper — 51 lbs., 48 in. |
| Mahi-mahi | 57 lbs., 60 in. |
| Mutton snapper | 27 lbs., 30 in. |
| Snapper, including mangrove and yellowtail | Yellowtail snapper — 8.25 lbs., 27.5 in. |
| Barracuda | 40 lbs., 54 in. |
| Wahoo | 71 lbs., 72.5 in. |
| Tuna | Blackfin tuna — 31 lbs., 38 in. |
| Amberjack | 111 lbs. |
| Cobia | 69 lbs. |
| African pompano | 35 lbs. |
| King mackerel | 67 lbs., 69 in. |
| Golden tilefish | 22 lbs. |
| Permit | 55 lbs. |
| Swordfish | 205 lbs. |
Yellowfin Tuna Bonus
A qualifying yellowfin tuna measuring at least 27 inches earned the angler $500 off a 2025 full-day charter, with a limit of one yellowfin bonus per charter.
Marlin Bonus
Any qualifying blue or white marlin that was caught, leadered, and successfully released earned the angler $500 off a 2025 full-day charter.
There was no limit on qualifying marlin bonuses.
Other Notable Sundance Sportfishing Boat Records
Several impressive Sundance Sportfishing boat records were not included in the official challenge categories:
| Species | Boat Record |
| Goliath grouper | 350 lbs. |
| Great white shark | 10 ft. 3 in. |
| Mako shark | 343 lbs. |
| Hammerhead shark | 1,000 lbs. |
These catches were recognized as notable boat records but were not eligible for the $200 or $400 challenge prizes.
Preserve Your Trophy Catch
Anglers who landed a trophy fish had the opportunity to preserve the memory with a custom fiberglass fish mount.
Because fiberglass reproductions do not require the original fish, they offer anglers a way to display their catch while supporting responsible fishing and release practices.
Ask your Sundance Sportfishing captain for additional details about trophy fish mounting options.
Fish the Florida Keys with Sundance Sportfishing
The Sundance Sportfishing Biggest Fish and Boat Record Challenges gave anglers even more reasons to get out on the water and chase an unforgettable catch.
Whether targeting mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, grouper, swordfish, or a record-breaking amberjack, every qualifying charter offered the possibility of climbing the leaderboard and earning a discount on a future fishing adventure.
Visit our Rates Page to learn more about available Florida Keys fishing charters, current promotions, and opportunities to fish aboard the Sundance Pursuit or WAFI Stamas.
