ENTRY FORM
Most anglers fish for fun, others to eat, and some thrive on the competitive aspect of “sportfishing” and, depending on the species, it’s most likely a combination of all three.
But I dare say most of the saltwater anglers I know, fish because of a deep inner drive, an instinct based on generational survival and a sort of cultural heritage. In other words, the quest for fish is part of our DNA, a passion that simply can’t be explained in words alone.
Over 45-million people in America fish recreationally, some harder than others. Here in the Northeast, eight anglers in particular stand out as the hardest working, most competitive anglers of the last decade, proving their worth of that description through a season ‘on the edge’ suffering through sleep deprivation, lost days of work, and a heck of a lot of time away from the family.
2024 – Kyle Krause
2023 – Bobby Cifarelli
2022 – Rob Carranzo
2021 – Henry Piacentino
2019 – Garret Weir
2018 – Sam Dibner
2017 – Dave Wissemann
2016 – Vincent Deledda
It was 10 years ago this season when The Fisherman Magazine’s owner/publisher Mike Caruso laid down the gauntlet for readers in our 50th anniversary season, and the Dream Boat Fishing Challenge became just that – a challenge. In that 2016 season, Caruso and the rest of The Fisherman staff launched a new points-based system, to truly challenge our subscribers over the course of an entire season, looking to showcase the accomplishments of the region’s top, most diversified, angler across a field of eight species.
This “elite eight” from 2016 through 2024 (removing the season of COVID in 2020) proved that our Dream Boat Fishing Challenge is a marathon, though several winners along the way sprinted across the finish line in dramatic fashion over the final weeks of the 7-month subscribers-only contest.
Seven species, 10 top places in each, and all a subscriber has to do to win a great prize is retain one of those 70 stops on the Final Standings Board.
But to lay claim to being the “saltwater angler of the year” in the Northeast, each of these eight champions had to put thought into when, where and how he would work at claiming the top spot. No raffles, no ping pong balls; driving off into the sunset at the end of 2025 with the $75,000 grand prize package (Yamaha powered, 21’ Steiger Craft with a Minn Kota Trolling Motor and Humminbird’s new Explorer Multi-Function Display) will require skill, perseverance, and determination, and will ultimately add a ninth name to the list of Fisherman hall-of-famers alongside Krause, Cifarelli, Carranzo, Piacentino, Weir, Dibner, Wissemann and Deledda.
As a member of The Fisherman Magazine’s family of subscribers do you think you have what it takes? Of course you do!
THE PRIZES
(SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PRIZE DISCRIPTIONS)
One grand prize winner this season will win a Steiger Craft 21 Classic Center Console powered by a Yamaha 150-horsepower outboard, along with a Hummingbird XPLORE 10 CMSI+ Fish Finder, Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Quest 90/115-pound thrust and 87-inch shaft. It’s the ultimate inshore fishing machine, and it will go to the ultimate inshore angler at the end of this fishing season.
Our second place winner this season will win four nights and five days for two people at the legendary Tropic Star Lodge in Panama and a fish mount from Grays Taxidermy. The Panama trip includes accommodations, and inshore fishing trips (airfare and transfer fees not included, neither are fishing license, meals, and all other costs.)
The angler tallying the third-most points in the 2025 Dream Boat Fishing Challenge, will get a Sea Eagle FishSUP 1210 and Engel EN80 Cooler.
It only takes one good fish to get on the board starting on May 1; after that, it’s up to you how far you wish to take this challenge. You can rest easy and watch the leaderboard, hoping that by the end of the Dream Boat Fishing Challenge on November 30 that one entry of yours is still listed in one of the 70 slots. Seventy finalists will receive a prize package consisting of SPRO Bucktail Jigs and Gamakatsu Octopus Inline Circle NS Black 5/0 hooks; seven largest of species winners will receive one pair of Tonic Eyewear USA Outback Sunglasses, a $200 Shurhold gift card, and a Tsunami Shield II Spinning Reel. There are also seven fish of the month prizes, each receiving a Tsunami Shield II Spinning Reel, and a Dexter Dextreme 8-inch Max flex knife.
Everyone’s a winner in this contest, but there can be only one Dream Boat Fishing Challenge champion to receive the grand prize and ultimately join the list of greats who have taken their fishing to new extremes over the past 10 years. It all starts with a paid subscription to The Fisherman Magazine; the rest is up to you.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
The complete set of rules is available on our website (TheFisherman.com) under the ‘Contests’ tab and then selecting DREAM BOAT CHALLENGE from the dropdown. We’ve been running this contest for decades, giving away a boat and motor package at the end of every tournament season to an active print or digital subscriber of The Fisherman every year. But there are a few rules that you should make yourself aware of before bringing that blackfish, bluefish, fluke, porgy, black sea bass, weakfish, or sea robin into your local tackle shop for weigh-in.
First and foremost, , the contestant must be a subscriber of The Fisherman Magazine a minimum of one calendar day prior to the date the fish was caught. Any fish caught and entered into the Dream Boat Fishing Challenge must be caught on rod and reel by the contestant (subscriber) who must reside in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania or Rhode Island.
Second, this is not for professionals who are currently employed in the fishing industry (those with complimentary/trial subscriptions are not eligible to enter or win either). For the purpose of our Official Rules, “fishing industry” is defined as any commercial fishing professional such as a charter/party/commercial boat captain or employee, tackle shop or fishing tackle distributor, and manufacturers owners and employees, fishing guides, marina owners and employees, marine supplies distributors, retailers and employees, marine services providers, outdoor writers/photographers/artists/publishers or anyone employed by a fishing media company, social media influencer, retail boat sales employees, and anyone who sells fish, and, or anyone who possesses a commercial permit to sell any finish does not qualify for the Dream Boat.
This “fishing industry” rule was established in 2016 to level the playing field and to provide fair competition for our subscribers throughout the three editions (New England; Long Island & Metro New York; and New Jersey, Delaware Bay). The Dream Boat Fishing Challenge entry period begins at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on May 1, 2025 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2025. To qualify, only the following seven fish species and its minimum weight requirement are eligible to be judged – blackfish, 7 pounds; bluefish, 15 pounds; fluke, 7 pounds; porgy/scup, 2 pounds; black sea bass, 4 pounds; weakfish, 5 pounds; and sea robin, 2 pounds.
By the way, I would add that we made a decision here at The Fisherman many years back when looking at the status of the striped bass fishery to not incentivize the catching of striped bass with such a valuable prize, which is why we removed that species from the contest.
Obviously, each contestant must follow all local, state and federal recreational fishing regulations and the fish must be caught within the official season for the species per each eligible state’s regulations/guidelines. The fish must be weighed and measured (length and girth) at a participating tackle shop listed in the rules as an official Fisherman Magazine weigh-in station. Weights must be measured in decimals, and any entry using ounces will be converted to decimals.
When measuring the length of the fish, the nose of the fish should begin at the 0 mark and extend to the fork of the tail to record the length. When measuring the girth, the measurement should be made from the widest part of the body of the fish. Measurements are to be made to the nearest quarter-inch, which means that if the measurement falls short of the nearest 1/8-inch mark then the length is rounded down, and if the length exceeds the nearest 1/8-inch mark then the total length is rounded up. If the measurement is on the 1/8-inch mark the length will be rounded up. But we as tournament judges will have the final say on a given fish’s length.
The fish weight and measurement must be completely filled-in on an official entry form, signed and dated, by the tackle shop authorized personnel. As a tournament angler, you are ultimately responsible for submitting the entry after it’s certified at one of our official weigh-in stations. Just keep in mind that forms that are not completely filled out, with all of the listed information, will not accepted. It is the angler’s responsibility to assure the form is completely filled out. Any alteration of an Official Entry Blank form after being signed by the weigh-in station will result in termination of entry and all future entries.
Entries can be submitted via email or mail. Email submission to dreamboat@thefisherman.com. The photo file name should be the same as the contestant’s full name. Email entries received in a given month will be entered into that month’s Fish of the Month competition, and will automatically be entered in the overall Contest. Mail-in submission to:
Dream Boat Fishing Challenge
PO Box 395
Mt. Sinai, NY 11766.
Official entry forms can be found at participating tackle shops or a copy can be downloaded by visiting TheFisherman.com.
DREAM BOAT RULES
CLICK HERE FOR OFFCIAL RULES
As with any fishing contest, it’s important to familiarize yourself with all the rules for entry. Step one of course is being a paid “member” of The Fisherman Magazine, as only active subscribers are eligible to win. Before you bring a fish into a participating tackle shop listed as an official weigh station, point your camera phone at the QR code to ensure that you’re ready to hit the water running and gunning your way to the finishing line starting May 1, 2025.
21 Classic Center Console Boat
The 21 Classic has been a fixture in Steiger Craft’s fishing boat lineup for over 30-years. There are many good reasons for this longevity and universal appeal. Accordingly, it was the logical choice to be the upcoming 2025 Fisherman Dream Boat Contest’s #1 prize.
For more information go to www.steigercraft.com
Yamaha F150 Outbord Motor
The F150 is one that started it all and it’s more popular than ever. Powerful, light and compact, it’s mechanical or digital compatible and uses integrated steering, making it more streamlined and responsive than ever before.
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Compatible with mechanical, digital or Helm Master® EX boat controls
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Comes with integrated electro-hydraulic steering for digital models and integrated hydraulic steering for mechanical models
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25” shaft
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Powerful 50-amp alternator (2.8-liter digital)
Click here for more information
Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Quest 87” Shaft
Riptide Terrova answers every question and leaves no doubt. Power? It’s got 112 pounds of thrust. Control? i-Pilot® Link™ Integrated GPS trolling system including Spot-Lock®, and Humminbird® fish finder integration. Stow and deploy it effortlessly with new Lift-Assist Design. And stealth? It’s a Riptide®. The new QUEST series of dual 24/36 volt brushless trolling motors was designed for anglers who demand the best from their equipment – even in the harshest environments. With a reinforced motor and mount, more advanced GPS functionality than ever and even an Eco Mode to extend battery life, Riptide Terrova is ready to tackle the elements and feels right at home on bigger boats than ever before.
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Hummingbird XPLORE 10 CMSI+ Fish Finder
The XPLORE Series shoots to thrill and never misses with a smarter, faster and easier-to-use interface powered by a quad-core processor. It gives you quick access to everything through a lightning-fast touchscreen and shortcuts for your favorite tools and technologies. . Find your fishing spots faster with included LakeMaster and CoastMaster charts. Sync 10,000 fish spots with custom colors and icons to your phone through a new waypoint management system. Get the clearest picture of what’s below with compatibility for our best sonar, including MEGA Live 2 forward-facing sonar. Connects to Minn Kota products and control them on command – from enabling Advanced GPS navigation to deploying shallow water anchors – with One Boat Network compatibility. With our most advanced technologies and easy-to-use interface.
Tropic Star Lodge
Tropic Star Lodge has provided the ultimate in offshore and inshore fishing adventures for guests for the past 60+ years. Discover why we’ve been named “the best fishing resort in the world.” Located 150 miles southeast of Panama City in the pristine, remote Darien jungle; Tropic Star Lodge has more fishing world records than any other resort. Spend more time fishing & less time getting to the fish! The reef is only 20 minutes away. Our Pacific waters are famed for holding a vast variety of treasured species including Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Sailfish along with monster Dorado, Roosterfish and Cubera and more. Prize includes 4 nights/5 days stay at The Tropic Star Lodge in Panama for up to two (2) people. Includes accommodations, and inshore fishing trips. Airfare not included. Fishing license, meals, all other costs are not included. Must be redeemed in March – May 2026.
Click Here for More Information
Fish Mount From Grays Taxidermy
Fish Mount From Grays Taxidermy Receive a life like fish mount replica of your fish.
Gray Taxidermy is proud to say that we are the largest marine Taxidermy company in the world, handcrafting the finest quality and most realistic custom trophy fish mounts in the industry. Our company has been in business for over 50 years, giving us the knowledge and experience to create your trophy fish mount of a lifetime. Each and every trophy mount is tailor made with attention to every detail of your catch, a real one-of-kind work of art. Knowing that the trophy mount we build represents a memory lasting for years to come, and earning a repeat customer by providing exceptional customer service is by far our greatest reward.
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Sea Eagle FishSUP 1210 Swivel Seat Fishing Rig Package
Sea Eagle Fishing Inflatable SUPs are the most versatile stand-up paddleboards in the world! Sit, stand, fish, motor, troll – designed for fishermen always on the go!
Extremely portable and affordable. These fishing SUPs are incredibly stable, easy to use, and set up in under 10 minutes.
Say farewell to lugging around heavy boats and trailers plus unnecessary fees! Hello to portability and convenience. Sea Eagle Fishing SUPs stow in your car trunk always ready to go!
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Tsunami Shield II 4000 Spinning Reel
Shurhold $200 Gift Card
Anything worth doing is worth doing bright. Shurhold’s collecvtion of easy-to-use products is a fan-favorite of Showboats everywhere. With quality tools and tested techniques, nothing cleans, polishes and protects like Shurhold.
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Bulls Bay Rods
This new rod model (Karbine 7’ 8-17#) is designed with one goal in mind: a universal rod light in weight without sacrificing power. With components that benefit everyone from charter captains to the average angler, the Karbine comes equipped with all double-footed, tangle-free guides, all full EVA grips extended in length from our standard rods, designed to sit in rod holders + provide leverage when fighting fish.
Click here for more information
Tonic Eyewear USA, Outback Sunglasses
TONIC Eyewear are a company born from passion with dedication to producing the finest sunglass optics for Australian conditions, some of the harshest on the planet. TONIC’s unique VistaView™ lenses represent the culmination of a 27-year quest to constantly push the boundaries in optical technology. Clarity in any conditions TONIC optically ground decentered glass lenses, Vistaview, are a lightweight 1.7mm thin glass, designed for wearing all day long and extremely lightweight that you wouldn’t know they are actually glass.
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Tsunami Shield II 4000 Spinning Reel
Dexter Dextreme 8″ Max flex knife
Developed specifically for anglers, the DX8MF 8 inch Max Flex Dextreme features a single edge with maximum flex and an ergonomic handle engineered to deliver great cuts with no compromises. The single edge blade gives you the perfect flex to glide over bones resulting in better yield of the meat, and the wide profile blade flexes in just the right spot for cleaner skinning of the fillet. The comfortable, non-slip handle accommodates any hand and finger position for greater control. The DX8MF includes a sheath.
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SPRO Bucktail -Jig 3/4oz Magic Bus
- Natural Gliding Action
- Stays Parallel for Great Jigging Action
- Catches All Species of Gamefish
- Sizes: 1/4 oz., 3/8 oz., 1/2 oz., 3/4 oz., 1 oz., 1 1/2 oz. 2 oz., 3 oz., 4 oz., and 6oz.
- Hook: Premium Gamakatsu NSB Jig 90 Round Bend Heavy Wire
Gamakatsu
Octopus Inline Circle NS Black 5/0
