On the weekend of September 13–14, Jalova Beach in Costa Rica became the proving ground for some top-notch surfcasters. Stretched across a kilometer of sand and surf, judges patrolled their stations while anglers from multiple nations put in the work through grueling five-hour blocks of competition each day. In the end, it was Mexico who took home gold, but the USA Surf Fishing Team made an emphatic statement of its own — claiming the silver medal on the world stage.
The format was as straightforward as it was unforgiving: each country’s final tally was based on the top three individual scores from its anglers, with points awarded by species and length. That system meant every cast mattered, and the slightest difference in fish size could swing an entire country’s fate. For Team USA, the silver was sealed on the strength of three standout performances. Caleb Hood delivered a highlight-reel snook that anchored the effort, while Dante Bruschi and Brandon Sausele each chipped in with hard-fighting jacks that kept the U.S. in contention.
Individually, the results spoke volumes. Out of the entire international field, Hood finished second overall in points — a remarkable feat given the caliber of competition. Bruschi slotted into sixth place, Sausele secured eighth, giving Team USA three finishers in the global top ten. Just as impressive, Bruschi — still under 21 — topped the youth division outright, showing that the next generation of American surfcasters is more than ready to carry the torch forward.
For those who have never fished in this kind of format, it’s worth emphasizing the grind. Two five-hour sessions per day, in tropical heat, with long stretches of beach patrolled by official judges, demand not only angling skill but also endurance, focus, and teamwork. The USA’s ability to deliver consistent results across those conditions says as much about preparation and resilience as it does about raw talent.
While Mexico earned its gold and the host nation Costa Rica secured bronze, the silver for Team USA carries special weight. It’s proof that American surfcasters can match up against the world’s best in a structured, international setting — where skill with tide, tackle, and species knowledge all converge under pressure. And with young anglers like Bruschi leading the charge, the pipeline of talent is as promising as ever.
This silver medal doesn’t just reflect one weekend in Costa Rica. It reflects years of casting practice on American beaches, countless nights spent studying tide charts, and the drive to represent the red, white, and blue in a discipline that demands equal parts patience and precision. For anglers back home, it’s a reminder that our surfcasting culture, forged on everything from New Jersey jetties to Montauk’s boulder fields, has a global impact when tested against the best.
Congratulations to Caleb Hood, Dante Bruschi, Brandon Sausele, and the entire USA Surf Fishing Team on a performance that should make every American surfcaster proud. The horizon is only getting brighter for Team USA, and this silver medal may very well be the stepping stone to future gold.
