From November through April, the Florida Keys transform into a sailfish hotspot, and for those of us at Main Attraction, that means tournament season is officially here. While we’re big believers in the camaraderie and teamwork it takes to run a boat, there’s no denying the thrill of a little friendly competition between crews. The idea of the best charter boats in the Keys putting their skills to the test for the top title is fun and exciting. Tournament weigh-ins, events, and award ceremonies also provide a setting for different charter boat Captains and crews to see each other (on land) and tell their fish stories!
While these insights apply to all the tournaments we fish year-round, we’re putting the spotlight on sailfish for this one. They are, hands down, the biggest challenge out there—which is exactly why we fish for them so often. Plus, they happen to be Captain Marty Lewis’s personal favorite. If you know Marty, you know that when it comes to sailfish, the passion (and the expertise) is on a whole different level.
After decades of competing—and winning—in the Florida Keys, the Main Attraction team has dialed in a set of routines that help us get on that leaderboard. We’re going to pull back the curtain on a few of those strategies today (without giving away the ‘secret sauce,’ of course). If there’s one common thread in our success, it’s the sheer amount of preparation involved. Our crews spend weeks, sometimes months, obsessing over the details before a tournament even starts. But even with the best plan in the world, you still need a skilled hand and a little bit of luck from the ocean. Here is a look at how we get tournament-ready.
Live Bait
It’s a simple rule in the Keys: No bait, no win. At Main Attraction, we make sure we’re prepared for any weather condition by keeping a huge variety of strong, lively bait on hand. We use a mix of metal and PVC cages, depending on the location and the species we’re holding. For the heavy-duty metal cages, we start with frames from a local welder, and then Captain Marty personally rigs them with mesh, floats, and zip ties. Using a pulley system on the dock pylons, we can easily lift the lids to feed the bait or scoop what we need for the day. The real secret, though, is ‘hardening’ the bait. By feeding them in the cages for months, they get tougher and more resilient.
If you are interested in the types of baits we keep check out this secrets to catching sailfish article when you are done here. Also, we keep our tournament bait in separate cages from our daily charter bait—this ensures the tournament stock doesn’t get ‘beat up’ by daily scooping and stays in peak condition for the big day
Pro Tip: During a tournament, our crews aren’t taking any chances. We add extra live wells to our boats so we can carry a massive volume and variety of bait. This allows us to pivot our strategy instantly, no matter what conditions are thrown at us.
Equipment
Captain Marty is a firm believer that winning tournaments is about making little to no mistakes. Most of the captains we’re up against have spent their entire lives on these waters, which means a single gear failure or a split-second mistake can be the difference between a trophy and a ‘tough luck’ story. Captain Marty is a firm believer that winning is about eliminating errors before they even happen. That’s why our tournament prep is so intense: every single rod and reel is re-spooled with fresh line, and every piece of tackle is inspected for even the tiniest flaw. When thousands of dollars are on the line, ‘good enough’ simply doesn’t cut it.
Handy Trick: On tournament days, our crews make sure a helium tank is tucked away on their boat. When there’s not enough wind to fly a kite, they use helium-filled balloons to provide that extra lift to their kites.
Captain Experience and Skill
Having a skillful Captain can really make the difference when it comes to winning tournaments. Captain Marty has been fishing for decades now, having acquired his Captain’s License at just 18 years old! Needless to say, he has a trained eye to spot fishing opportunities, the skills to read conditions, and the knowledge to find the fish.
Perhaps most importantly, he knows how to position the boat when multiple Sailfish are hooked at the same time and swimming in different directions at speeds of up to 50mph!
However, your Captain doesn’t need to be older to be good! We have younger Captains in the Keys who grew up fishing and learning from the greats—they have plenty of skill and enthusiasm to win.
Update: Six years after publishing this article, we are happy to report Captain Marty Lewis’s son, Alex , is now a Main Attraction Captain too! Just like Dad, he obtained his Captain’s License at 18, and just like Dad, he is attending Florida Keys Community College for Marine Mechanics. He gets his degree in two months—we are so proud of him! Alex is one of those young, hungry Captains looking to win tournaments. In fact, in Captain Alex’s debut article announcing his new license, we reported that he had won his first-ever tournament as a Captain!
Crew Experience and Skill
Our fishing teams are often comprised of multiple mates and even Captains. When Captain Marty has multiple mates on board—some who have been winning tournaments for decades—the chances of making a mistake plummet!
Our crews know exactly which baits work better on calmer days and which hold up best in rougher waters and stronger currents. They understand how baits should be rigged and set, and how many lines they can run in the water at once without getting tangled.
Angler Experience and Skill
While having experience fighting fish is a plus, it isn’t a requirement. Our tournament teams are often a mix of skill levels, ranging from clients who have fished with us for decades to friends and family. If you can wind fast and follow clear instructions, you are a perfect fit for the team!
We also encourage building a diverse roster. Including specific demographics, such as female or junior anglers, is a strategic way to compete for additional category trophies and maximize our chances of placing.
Lady Luck
Florida Keys Captains often say, “I would rather be lucky than good,” but the truth is, to win tournaments in the Florida Keys, you often have to be both! No matter how hard you prepare or how experienced you are, the weather and general fishing conditions are up to Lady Luck.
Great captains recognize opportunities on the water the moment they see them, but they can only be in one place at a time, and there is a lot of water out there! Whether finding yourself in the right place at the right time is due to luck or skill, consistently turning those opportunities into tournament wins comes down to the preparation and ability of everyone on board.
A summary of our long history of winning tournaments and breaking records is available on our tournament page. If you wish to inquire about fishing a Tournament with a Main Attraction crew, call 305-289-0071 or contact us here. If you are looking for more articles liek this check out our entire Secrets To Success Series!
