Past Grand Champions

2023 Champions

Angler Dave Preston
Captain Luis Cortes
5,804 Points

Press Release:
Angler Dave Preston and Guide Luis Cortes win 60th annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament

60th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament
June 19-23, 2023
Islamorada, Florida Keys

The 60th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Tarpon Fly Fishing Tournament, one of the most revered fly fishing tournaments in the world, is known wherever anglers pursue the Silver King with a fly. It has been referred to as the “World Series” of tarpon fishing and consists of 5 days of honorable competition. This year was especially exciting as the largest fish in tournament history was caught and the fishing heated up midweek, providing some real suspense each day.

Talented Fly-Anglers were able to pull in a total of 66 fish during the five-day stretch, consisting of 37 Release and 29 Weight Fish, a significant decrease from last year’s 103 fish. Teams of Anglers and Guides compete for various trophy and sponsor-donated items. The real honor is for the overall winning team to have their names added to the 60-year-old perpetual trophy. The historic GCTT trophy is showcased locally at The Florida Keys Outfitters.

Third time Grand Champion Angler, Dave Preston from Miami, FL, and Guide to Grand Champion, Capt. Luis Cortes, earned their Grand Championship title with 5804 points, consisting of 4 Release Fish and 4 Weight Fish for the week. Preston and Cortes’s Weight Fish weighed in at 163, 96.1, 118.1, and 83.2 pounds. Dave Preston’s never failing positive attitude and passion for conservation has been evident over the 11 years that he has fished the tournament. Preston says, “Getting to spend quality time on the water in the Keys with Luis is reward enough, and when you add in our recent tournament success it’s all been the stuff of dreams. We’ve been fishing the Gold Cup together for five years now. This year, as usual, the competition was elite and the late season fishing and weather were challenging at points, but we caught fish every day and persevered. We are both honored and humbled by the opportunity to hold the Gold Cup Tarpon championship for a third straight year, in the footsteps of the all-time greats who came before us. As native South Floridians and stewards of the Everglades and Florida Bay, we would like to remind everyone that loves this special fishery that there is so much work to be done to ensure future generations are able to experience the things we have been so lucky to experience and hold dear.”

First Runner Up Angler, Thane Morgan from Amarillo, TX, and Guide, Capt. Dustin Huff, earned a total of 4130 points. Morgan and Huff started the first 2 days slow, going out with a bang with 3 release fish and 3 weight fish (111.1, 120.1, and 91.8lbs) in the final 3 days of the tournament.

Second Runner Up Angler, Chalmers Allen from Charleston, SC, and his Guide, Capt. Mike Alfano, earned Second Runner-Up with 4018 points. In a spectacular first year fishing the Gold Cup, Allen caught a total of 4 Weight Fish weighing 76.1, 86.3, 129.9, and 109.5 pounds.

The Largest Tarpon Award was earned by Angler Dave Preston from Jupiter, FL and his Guide, Capt. Luis Cortes, with a fish weighing approximately 163 pounds—the largest fish caught in Gold Cup history!

The 61st Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament will take place June 17-21, 2024. For additional information, including current results and sponsors, please visit the website at www.GoldCupTT.com.

2022 Champions

Angler Dave Preston and Capt. Luis Cortes
6850 Points

Press Release:
Angler Dave Preston and Guide Luis Cortes win 59th annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament

59th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament

June 20-24, 2022
Islamorada, Florida Keys

The 59th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Tarpon Fly Fishing Tournament, one of the most revered fly fishing tournaments in the world, is known wherever anglers pursue the Silver King with a fly. It has been referred to as the "World Series" of tarpon fishing and consists of 5 days of honorable competition. This year was especially exciting as fishing far exceeded previous year’s numbers as well as provided some real suspense each day.

Talented Fly-Anglers were able to pull in a total of 103 fish during the five-day stretch, consisting of 70 Release and 33 Weight Fish, the best tarpon fishing during this prestigious tournament in some time. Teams of Anglers and Guides compete for various trophy and sponsor-donated items. The real honor is for the overall winning team to have their names added to the 59-year-old perpetual trophy. The historic GCTT trophy is showcased locally at The Florida Keys Outfitters.

Second time Grand Champion Angler, Dave Preston from Miami, FL, and Guide to Grand Champion, Capt. Luis Cortes, earned their Grand Championship title with 6850 points, consisting of 7 Release Fish and 5 Weight Fish for the week. Preston and Cortes’s Weight Fish weighed in at 99.7, 132.5 96.8, 74.5, and 71.5 pounds. Dave Preston’s never failing positive attitude and passion for conservation has been evident over the 10 years that he has fished the tournament. Preston says, “It’s humbling to even be invited to fish the Gold Cup, and Capt. Luis and I consider it a great honor just to be in the room, trying to follow in the footsteps of giants. To come out on top in 2021 was the experience of a lifetime, and to be able to repeat and carry this feeling on for the next 365 days is everything we could dream of and then some. We’re extremely grateful to our fellow competitors, the tournament organizers, and the anglers and guides who have come before us to make the event what it is today.”

First Runner Up Angler, Mike Criscola from Fair Haven, NJ, and Guide, Capt. Eric Herstedt, earned 5295 points. They are one of one of the rare teams to catch the 5 weight fish limit by day 4, allowing the last day of fishing to consist of chasing release fish that are at least 4 feet long, instead of chasing the biggest fish that would count as weight fish. They also caught fish every day, which is an oddity during the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament.

Second Runner Up Angler, Nathaniel Linville, from Key West, FL, and his Guide, Capt. Ian Slater, earned Second Runner-Up with 3226 points. This reputable team caught 5 Release Fish and 2 Weight Fish weighing 94.5 and 78.1 pounds.

The Largest Tarpon Award was earned by Angler Ned Johnson from Charleston, SC and his Guide, Capt. Craig Brewer with a fish weighing approximately 139 pounds.

The 60th Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament will take place June 19-23, 2023. For additional information, including current results and sponsors, please visit the website at www.GoldCupTT.com.

2021 Champions

Angler Dave Preston
Captain Luis Cortes
4500 points

Press Release:
Angler Dave Preston and Guide Luis Cortes win 58th annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament

58th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament
June 21-25, 2021
Islamorada, Florida Keys

The 58th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Tarpon Fly Fishing Tournament, one of the most revered fly fishing tournaments in the world, is known wherever anglers pursue the Silver King with a fly. It has been referred to as the “World Series” of tarpon fishing and consists of 5 days of honorable competition. This year was especially exciting as fishing far exceeded last year’s numbers as well as provided some real suspense each day.

Talented Fly-Anglers were able to pull in a total of 79 fish (compared to 43 fish last year) during the five-day stretch, consisting of 46 Release and 33 Weight Fish. Teams of Anglers and Guides compete for various trophy and sponsor-donated items. The real honor is for the overall winning team to have their names added to the 58-year-old perpetual trophy. The historic GCTT trophy is showcased locally at The Florida Keys Outfitters.

2021 Grand Champion Angler, Dave Preston from Miami, FL, and Guide to Grand Champion, Capt. Luis Cortes, earned their Grand Championship title with 4500 points, consisting 2 Release Fish and 4 Weight Fish for the week. Preston and Cortes’s Weight Fish weighed in at 118.3, 96, 92.6, and 83.1 pounds, with the last fish being hooked in the last five minutes of the tournament! Dave Preston’s never failing positive attitude and passion for conservation has been evident over the 9 years that he has fished the tournament. He and Cortes have only fished the tournament together for 4 years. Preston says, “It’s always an enormous honor for us to take part in the Gold Cup each year, and we are grateful and humbled to now share a small space on the cup with some of the greatest and most dedicated contributors in the history of the sport.”

First Runner Up Angler, Scott Christian from Alpharetta, GA, and his Guide, Capt. Chad Huff, earned First Runner-Up title with a total of 4278 points. They pulled in 5 Release Fish and 3 Weight Fish for the week, earning first runner up by a whopping 1 point from second runner up, with a large fish caught on the last day. Weight Fish weighing in at 74.4, 78.6, and 124.8 pounds. Although placing in The Gold Cup is not uncommon for a Huff, this is a great accomplishment for both Scott and Chad to place among such great competition since it is both of their first time participating in the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament.

Second Runner Up Angler, Nathaniel Linville, from Key West, FL, and his Guide, Capt. Ian Slater, earned Second Runner-Up with 4277 points. This reputable team caught 6 Release Fish and 3 Weight Fish weighing 80.6, 90.6, and 76.5 pounds. Their 6 Release Fish for the week also earned them the Most Releases Award.

Following up last year’s great showing, The Largest Tarpon Award was earned by Angler Sebastian Varney, from New York, NY and his Guide, Jeremy Fisher, weighing approximately 130.1 pounds.

The 59th Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament will take place June 20-24, 2022. For additional information, including current results and sponsors, please visit the website at www.GoldCupTT.com.

2020 Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament Champions

Angler: Sebastian Varney
Guide: Jeremy Fisher

2976 Points

Angler Sebastian Varney and Guide Jeremy Fisher win 57th annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament

57th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament
June 15-19, 2020
Islamorada, Florida Keys

The 57th Annual Gold Cup Invitational Tarpon Fly Fishing Tournament, one of the most revered fly fishing tournaments in the world, presented challenging fishing conditions this year.

Talented Fly-Anglers were able to pull in a total of 43 fish (compared to 73 fish last year) during the five-day stretch, consisting of 28 Release and 15 Weight Fish. Teams of Anglers and Guides compete for various trophy and sponsor-donated items. The real honor is for the overall winning team to have their names added to the 57-year-old perpetual trophy. The historic GCTT trophy is showcased locally at The Florida Keys Outfitters.

2020 Grand Champion Angler, Sebastian Varney from New York, NY, and Guide to Grand Champion, Capt. Jeremy Fisher, earned their title with 2976 points. They had zero Release Fish, but 3 Weight Fish for the week. Weight Fish were average (85.8 and 87.1 pounds) but on the last day, they brought in a large, 124.7 pound weight, which added to the suspense of the last day while earning their Grand Championship title. Anglers fish this tournament for many years in hopes of adding their names to the perpetual trophy with past legends. Sebastian Varney and Capt. Jeremy Fisher have fished the Tournament together for only 5 years. Varney says, “Winning the Gold Cup is something that I will always treasure due to the greatness of the winners that came before me and the quality of the Anglers I fished with. Jeremy deserves all the credit in the world for his talent and relentless desire to succeed.”

First Runner Up Angler, Mike Criscola from Fair Haven, NJ, and his Guide, Capt. Eric Herstedt, earned First Runner-Up title with a total of 2873 points. They pulled in 2 Release Fish and two Weight Fish for the week. Anticipation was high on the last day, as they had a large fish (128.3 pounds) from Day 3 and brought in a 99 pound Weight on the last day. Although it wasn’t quite enough to win first place, they earned the Largest Tarpon Award for that 128.3 pound Weight Fish.

Second Runner Up Angler, Bart Beasley from Mt. Pleasant, NC and his Guide, Capt. Perry Coleman, earned Second Runner-Up with 1967 points. They got 1 Release Fish and 2 Weight Fish for the week. Weight Fish were both caught on the same day and weighed approximately 90.3 and 76.4 pounds.

Angler Ed Young and his Guide, Capt. Richard Black, won the Most Releases Award by time with 4 Releases for the week.

The 58th Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament will take place June 21-25, 2021. For additional information, including current results and sponsors, please visit the website at www.GoldCupTT.com.

2019 Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament Champions

Angler: Rand Holstead
Guide: Capt. Brian Helms

The 56th Annual Invitational Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament took place June 17th-21st among 25 Anglers and their Guides.

Talented Fly-Anglers were able to pull in a total of 73 fish during the five-day stretch, consisting of 44 Release and 29 Weight Fish. Teams of Anglers and Guides compete for various trophy and sponsor-donated items. The real honor is for the overall winning team to have their names added to the 56-year-old perpetual trophy. The historic GCTT trophy is showcased locally at The Florida Keys Outfitters.

2019 Grand Champion Angler, Rand Holstead from Houston, TX, and his Guide to Grand Champion, Capt. Brian Helms, earned their title with 4884 points. They had a total of 1 Release and 4 Weight Fish for the week. Weight Fish were large and weighed approximately 131.8, 92.6, 115, and 119 lbs, two of which were brought in on the last day, solidifying their 1st place rank. This is the second time the team has won the Grand Championship. The first time was during the 50th anniversary of the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament.

First Runner Up Angler, Thane Morgan from Amarillo, TX, and his Guide, Capt. Dustin Huff, earned their 2nd Place Title with a total of 4544 points. They caught a fish every day and ended up with 3 Release and 4 Weight Fish for the week. (89.4, 92.2, 73.8, and 109 lbs.) Thane Morgan has previously won the Grand Championship three times.

Second Runner Up Angler, Carlos Duncan from Houston, TX, and his Guide, Capt. Rob Fordyce, earned a total of 4313 points with a total of 2 Releases and 4 Weight Fish (82.9, 99.7, 80, 108.7). Carlos has been fishing with Rob Fordyce since 2002. This year was their last year fishing together because Carlos is retiring from the Tournament.

Angler Nathaniel Linville from Key West, FL, and Capt. John O’Hearn caught the Largest Tarpon for the week measuring 132.6 pounds.

Angler Dave Dalu from Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Capt. Randy Stallings won The Most Releases by catching 7 Release Fish during the 5 day span.

The 57th Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament will take place June 15th-19th, 2020. For additional information, including current results and sponsors, please visit the website at www.GoldCupTT.com.

2018 Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament Champions

Angler: Roger Fernandez
Guide: Steven Tejera

Islamorada, Florida – The 55th Annual Invitational Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament took place June 18th-22nd among 25 Anglers and their Guides. Spirits were high as several teams started off strong during the five-day event. Unusually great fishing weather for this prestigious week of Tarpon fishing on the Fly led to some great results.

Talented Fly-Anglers were able to pull in a whopping 111 fish during the five-day stretch, consisting of 71 Release and 40 Weight Fish. Teams of Anglers and Guides compete for various trophy and sponsor-donated items. The real honor is for the overall winning team to have their names added to the 55-year-old perpetual trophy. The historic GCTT trophy is showcased locally at The Florida Keys Outfitters.

2018 Grand Champion Angler, Roger Fernandez of Pinecrest, FL, and his Guide to Grand Champion, Capt. Steven Tejera, earned their title with a whopping total of 7,127 points. They set the bar high on Day 1 with 1 Release and 3 Weight Fish (71.7,79, and 97.1 lb.). The Fernandez and Tejera team remained consistent throughout the week by catching a fish every day, including a 124.9 lb. Weight on Day 2 and a 100 lb. Weight on Day 4. By maxing out their 5 Weight Fish limit, it offered them an opportunity to fish Day 5 for Releases. Through the years this is the scenario that all GCTT Teams hope for, but few have achieved. They were able to remain clutch and further solidify their victory by adding 3 more Release Fish to their total on Day 5. They had a total of 8 Releases and 5 Weight Fish for the week. Fernandez and Capt. Tejera now have one of the highest scoring weeks in the tournament’s 55-year history.

First Runner Up Angler, Co-Founder of YETI Coolers, Ryan Seiders from Austin, TX & and his Guide, Capt. Rob Fordyce, earned their 2nd Place Title with a total of 5,386 points. Team Seiders/Fordyce’s two Weight Fish Days on day 3 and day 4 put them back in the hunt. They had a total of 2 Releases and also maxed out on their limit of 5 Weight Fish (83.2, 85.6, 102.6, 89.8, and 117.4 lb.). In most years this performance would be enough to walk away with a GCTT victory.

Second Runner Up Angler, Sebastian Varney of New York, NY, and his Guide, Capt. Jeremy Fisher, earned a total of 4,516 points with a total of 2 Releases and 4 Weight Fish (106.9, 97.5, 107.9, and 79.3 pounds). This includes the team’s remarkable Day 1 performance of catching two weight fish averaging over 100lbs.

Angler Baker Bishop of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Capt. Craig Brewer caught the Largest Tarpon measuring 155 pounds. Not only was this the largest tarpon for the 2018 GCTT, it was personally the largest tarpon Bishop has ever caught which adds to the memories for this amazing year.

Angler Ed Young of Grapevine, TX and Capt. Richard Black won The Most Releases (on time) by catching their 8th Release Fish just hours before Grand Champions Fernandez and Capt. Tejera pulled in their 8th Release on the last day of the Tournament.

The 56th Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament will take place June 17th-21st, 2019. For additional information, including current results and sponsors, please visit the website at www.GoldCupTT.com.