East Coast Remix Angling Club celebrates their first Sport Fishing Championship tournament win at the inaugural HUK Charleston Billfish Cup presented by PENN (Photo Provided Sport Fishing Championship).
The East Coast Remix Angling Club went wire-to-wire to claim the title at the inaugural HUK Charleston Billfish Cup presented by PENN, capping a thrilling debut for the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) in Charleston this weekend. Thousands of fans packed Shem Creek’s Saltwater Cowboys, and with over six hours of live coverage on SFC+ and ESPN+, audiences nationwide were treated to the energy and excitement of professional angling club competition.
After Thursday’s competition was cancelled due to high winds and bad weather, the Remix, led by Captain JC Cleare and co-owned by NFL star Raheem Mostert and Kenny Hernandez, racked up 975 points on Friday with two early blue marlin releases and a late-afternoon sailfish to set the pace heading into the final day.
Championship Saturday brought high stakes but slow action across the fleet, with only one blue marlin released by the Atlantic Points Standings leaders, the New Jersey Sea Birds Angling Club. But the Remix managed to clinch their victory with a final-hour sailfish release caught by co-owner Hernandez, bringing their total to 1,050 points and securing the first-ever HUK Charleston Billfish Cup in front of a roaring crowd.
“In those last two minutes, we had a blue [marlin] come up on the teaser. He faded away and didn’t get it, but then a sailfish came up and we missed it, but Kenny [Hernandez] hooked in on the long line right at lines out,” said Captain Cleare. “It was kind of a cool way to finish… a walk-off homerun.”
“We definitely needed this win to climb up the standings, as we didn’t do as well as planned in the first couple of tournaments,” continued Cleare. “We’re happy it was here—it was cool because we’ve never fished here before.”
Mostert, Las Vegas Raiders pro bowl running back, shared his excitement: “This is just the start for the Remix. Watching our team come together and take the win in Charleston was something special,” said Mostert. “I’m excited to see how we keep building on this momentum and keep competing at the highest level.”
Across the shortened two-day event, the six angling clubs released 11 billfish, including six blue marlin and five sailfish.
The Remix brought home $164,895 for first place, which included $90,000 for winning “The Take,” the richest blue marlin live release entry in the country.
Second place went to the North Carolina Flare Angling Club, which did all their scoring on Day One with two blue marlin, finishing with 900 points and a $40,900 payday.
Third place was claimed by the Lights Out New England Angling Club, who finished with 600 points—one blue marlin and two sailfish for the tournament—and $30,600 to solidify their spot in second place of the SFC Atlantic Division Standings.
In addition, the New Jersey Sea Birds brought home $12,195, anchored by a 39.2-pound tournament record mahi.
Meanwhile, the hometown South Carolina Outcast Angling Club captured just one sailfish during the tournament, placing them fifth overall.
Tournament Director Brian Roberts praised the electric atmosphere and impact of the event: “The HUK Charleston Billfish Cup is quickly becoming a major event for Charleston. The energy at the scales at Saltwater Cowboys is electric, it’s the kind of vibe that draws in the local community and has travelers already planning their vacations around it. The weigh-in parties are truly one-of-a-kind.”
“Charleston delivered in every way—world-class fishing, an electric crowd, and the nation’s biggest blue marlin live-release jackpot entry. This wasn’t just another tournament; it was a signature stop for the Sport Fishing Championship,” said Mark Neifeld, Commissioner and CEO.
A packed crowd at Saltwater Cowboys watches the final weigh-in at the inaugural HUK Charleston Billfish Cup presented by PENN (Photo Provided Sport Fishing Championship).
Final Standings of the HUK Charleston Billfish Cup:
- East Coast Remix Angling Club — 1,050 Points
- North Carolina Flare Angling Club — 900 Points
- Lights Out New England Angling Club — 600 Points
- New Jersey Sea Birds Angling Club — 450 Points
- South Carolina Outcast Angling Club — 75 Points
- New York Granders Angling Club — 0 Points
- South Florida Sails Angling Club — DNP
East Coast Remix Angling Club Roster at the HUK Charleston Billfish Cup:
- Captain: JC Cleare
- Kenny Hernandez (co-owner, angler)
- Jorge Corzo (angler/mate)
- Cap Hinkley (mate)
- Sarah Cleare (angler)
- Chandler Miles (mate)
- Marcello Pares (angler)
- Jess Kunkel (angler)
SFC Atlantic Division Standings After Three Stops:
- New Jersey Sea Birds — 9,100 Points
- Lights Out New England — 8,400 Points
- East Coast Remix — 8,300 Points
- South Carolina Outcast — 7,900 Points
- T5) South Florida Sails — 7,400 Points T5) North Carolina Flare — 7,400 Points
- New York Granders — 7,000 Points
The next stop on the Atlantic Division will be the Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic, July 14–18 at Martha’s Vineyard in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where second-place Lights Out New England will look to take over the Atlantic standings in their home waters.
The top two teams from the Atlantic and Gulf divisions will qualify for the 2025 Zane Grey Championship Playoffs in October. Meanwhile, the Gulf Division will host its third stop, the Gulfport Mississippi Open, June 12–14.
Additional Awards and Tournament Bonuses:
Beyond the cash purses and division points, the HUK Charleston Billfish Cup presented by PENN also awarded exclusive sponsor prizes:
- Each team received a PENN Fathom 80 Electric Reel Kit (retail value: $1,019.95) and a pair of 6-inch Van Staal Pliers (retail value: $389.95) just for entering.
- The top three finishers each won PENN Authority 10500 Spinning Reels (retail value: $689.95 each).
- Signed and custom-sketched artwork by Billfish Foundation Artist of the Year 2020 George Kalwa (valued at $5,000 in aggregate) was presented to the top teams.
- Champions were also recognized with crystal-etched trophy champagne holders and custom champion belt buckles to commemorate their win.
- The East Coast Remix won a $500 retail credit from HUK for being the first team to weigh in and an additional $500 credit from HUK for the top Junior Angler on their boat, plus a PENN Fathom 50 Electric Reel Kit (valued at $1,000).
- The New York Granders took home a PENN Fathom 50 Electric Reel Kit (valued at $1,000) as the first female angling team to weigh in at the scales.
2025 SFC Corporate Champions: Anetik, Denison Yachting, OneWater Marine, Pier Sixty-Six, Verizon, XtraTuf
2025 SFC Community Champions: Billfish Conservation Project, Coast Guard Foundation