10th Pelagic Rockstar Draws Record Fleet; Reel Randy Sets Tuna Record

A banner 10th‑anniversary Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament out of Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, delivered eye-popping numbers and headline catches that matter to anglers and local operators. The event drew a record-sized fleet of 117 teams and roughly $2.9 million in prize money, with competitors combining for more than 2,300 billfish releases over the tournament’s two official billfish days.

The releases were overwhelmingly sailfish, underscoring why Costa Rica remains a global leader for release-heavy billfish action and why the Pelagic Rockstar is viewed as the season kickoff for the offshore fishery. Team Pura Vida took top honors in the sonar-equipped billfish division and walked away as Grand Champion, showing that long-range tactics and electronics remain central to winning strategies in Quepos waters.

Action in the tuna and gamefish brackets produced its own headline: Reel Randy won the tuna division with a two-fish aggregate of 324.1 lb, anchored by a new single-fish tournament yellowfin of about 184.7 lb. That aggregate and single-fish mark reset expectations for yellowfin size at Pelagic Rockstar, and will shift how anglers configure tackle and spread patterns for upcoming tournaments.

Beyond trophies, the scale of the event has practical implications for the local community and for visiting anglers. Hundreds of teams and thousands of releases mean larger demand for mariners, tackle shops, charter captains, and marina services in Quepos. The near-$3 million purse confirms the tournament’s role in drawing international competitors and elevating paydays compared with regional events, creating both opportunity and competition for local guides and gear suppliers.

For anglers, the tournament results highlight several takeaways. Release-focused billfish scoring continues to reward teams that can work numbers and conserve fish, while the tuna results point to the value of balancing light gear and heavy tackle options, expect yellowfin in the 150-200 lb range and plan leader and reel selection accordingly. Sonar-equipped divisions remain influential, so captains and crews who invest in long-range electronics will likely see competitive advantages in both locating schools and executing strikes.

The 10th Pelagic Rockstar’s blend of record participation, a record yellowfin, and significant payouts strengthens Quepos’s calendar as a must-visit for big-game anglers. Expect the momentum to push more boats to book early, for outfitters to scale up services, and for other regional tournaments to take note as the Costa Rica season builds steam.