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The Mongo Offshore Challenge concluded its fifth season on September 30, 2024, featuring two divisions across the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. Launched in 2020 by two brothers and a friend, this innovative offshore fishing tournament highlights blue marlin as the top target species, alongside swordfish, tuna, wahoo, and mahi. Teams compete all summer in a winner-take-all format, with both tournament and recreational catches eligible for entry.
“The Mongo is not just a blue marlin tournament,” says co-founder Capt. Jeremy Cox. “It’s completely a la carte. Teams can choose to enter specific species categories or participate across the board. We even had charter boats and family fishing outings take home prizes this year.”
The 2024 Mongo Offshore Challenge featured 174 teams from 16 states, with boats ranging from 21 to 92 feet and over 3,200 anglers participating. Total cash prizes approached $700,000, supported by Platinum Sponsors AME Atlantic Marine Electronics and Mongo TALK Podcast.
In the Gulf Coast Division, Southern Charm/All In, captained by Landon Bell on a 63’ Hatteras, claimed a hefty $182,750 for a 728.4-pound blue marlin caught during the Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic. Sea Spray, led by Capt. Bill Staff on a 65’ Resmondo, dominated the tuna and mahi categories, earning $120,275 for fish weighing 209.2 and 45.3 pounds, respectively. Synchronicity, under Capt. Anthony Lopez on the 58’ Viking, took home $66,300 for the heaviest swordfish, a 300-pound broadbill, while Gunnslinger, a 72’ Viking captained by Miguel Tirado, won the wahoo category with an 83.3-pound fish worth $41,225.
In the East Coast Division, Team Harvey, a 72’ Viking led by Capt. John Brumble, scored a rollover payout of $106,075 with a 649-pound blue marlin, breaking a previous dry spell for blue marlin entries in the tournament. Angler, a 59’ Spencer captained by Jim Arnold, boated the top swordfish at 285 pounds, netting $9,350. Euphoria, led by Capt. Ricky Wheeler on a 60’ Precision, earned $8,500 for a 222-pound bigeye tuna, while Scup Slayer, a 72’ Viking captained by Rob Goodwin, topped the yellowfin leaderboard with a 113-pound catch worth $5,950. Widespread, captained by Jay Watson, led the mahi category with a 45-pound entry. Notably, no wahoo were weighed in the East Coast Division this season.
Following IGFA rules, with certain exceptions for swordfish, entries are submitted via a smartphone app that provides real-time updates on the tournament. The tournament also adheres to specific tournament rules for eligibility. Registration for the 2025 Mongo Offshore Challenge opens in January 2025, with exciting developments planned for the sixth season. The next Mongo Offshore Challenge kicks off on May 1 and runs until September 30, 2025.
