There’s a shift happening in sportfishing — one that’s been years in the making. From the helm to the cockpit, more women are showing up, stepping in, and proving that skill on the water has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with instinct, timing, and heart.
This summer’s Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) Tournament at the Big Rock was another reminder of that. Dozens of female anglers from across the coast brought their A-game to one of the sport’s most respected stages — and the results spoke for themselves.
Aboard a 62-foot Winter custom sportfish, the energy was focused and familiar. Calm water, early runs, and the kind of teamwork that makes tournament fishing what it is. From bait prep to release, every move was deliberate. There’s a certain rhythm that happens when a crew clicks, and these anglers found it fast.
For many, KWLA isn’t just a competition — it’s community. It’s proof that women have earned their place in every part of this sport: on the rods, in the tower, calling the shots, and setting records. The same attention to detail, patience, and intuition that define elite anglers have always been there — it’s just that now, more people are paying attention.
As the fleet shifts south for Sailfish season, that same spirit is heading with it. Next up: Sailfish Sweethearts, a women-only tournament that brings together some of the most talented lady anglers in the circuit. Palm Beach becomes the stage, and like every great event, it’s less about competition and more about connection — the kind that’s built on shared stories, long runs, and clean releases.
For us, it’s an honor to be part of that momentum. Every time a woman steps aboard one of our boats, she carries a piece of that tradition forward — confident, capable, and ready to fish.
