A History of Championship Wins

Taylor Jean Sport Fishing – captained by Ken Hager (with Capt. Blaine Birch in recent years) – has amassed an impressive record in East Coast big-game fishing tournaments since 2011. Below is a comprehensive summary of the team’s tournament placements, notable catches, and winnings, organized by category.

2011

Making a Name in the Mid-Atlantic

Mid Atlantic Tuna Tournament – 3rd Place Heaviest Tuna

Our journey to greatness began with an impressive showing in the Mid Atlantic Tuna Tournament, securing a third-place finish and setting the foundation for future success. With a small check, the first of many to follow of $1,675.

2013

Shark Fishing Dominance

 

Mako Fever – 2nd Place, 333 lb.

Mako and a check for $10,250

 

Mako Mania – 2nd Place, 327 lb.

Mako Taylor Jean has been a consistent contender in New Jersey’s annual Mako Mania shark tournament. Bringing home second place and $20,282

 

BTB Bailey Mako Rodeo – 1st Place Thresher, 398 lbs. and $9,000 in winnings

 

This was a breakout year for Taylor Jean, proving our ability to take on the fiercest sharks in the ocean and taking home money in the top 3 prestigious shark tournaments in the area.

2014

Continuing the Streak

 

South Jersey Shark Tournament

  • 1st Place Heaviest Mako (Day One)
  • 3rd Place Overall

With another first-place Mako, we solidified our reputation as a top contender in the world of competitive shark fishing. Bringing home $3,772.

2015

The Mako Hat Trick

 

Mako Fever – 1st Place Mako

A first-place finish in the Mako Fever Tournament was a defining moment, proving that Taylor Jean was not just participating but dominating. $8,500

2016

Expanding Our Victories

Hoffman’s Invitational – 1st Place Heaviest Dolphin

As our focus expanded beyond sharks, we claimed victory in the dolphin category at Hoffman’s Invitational. It was a small tournament but local where we docked our boat so we joined and brought home $1,000 for 1st place dolphin.

2017

Big Wins at Mid Atlantic 500

 

 

1st Place Day 1-4

2nd Place White Marlin

 

An outstanding performance in the Mid Atlantic 500, with consistent daily wins and a 2nd place finish in White Marlin, marked our entry into the billfish circuit. Taylor Jean has been a standout performer in this high-profile billfish and tuna tournament. Their most significant MidAtlantic achievement came in 2017, when angler Ken Hager boated a 72-pound white marlin to take 2nd Place Heaviest White Marlin, earning a hefty $217,665 prize . This 72-lb marlin was one of the top catches of the 26th annual MidAtlantic and netted one of the tournament’s largest checks.

2018

Proving Our Tuna Skills

 

Warriors for Warriors Shark/Tuna Tournament – 2nd Place Tuna $3,698

 

Tuna fishing became a major focus for Taylor Jean, leading to another top finish.

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2019

Dominating the South Jersey Tuna Tournament & The Mid Atlantic

 

South Jersey Tuna Tournament

  • 1st Place Heaviest Tuna
  • 1st Place Heaviest Stringer bringing home $8,460 for the tunas.

 

The Mid Atlantic

This year, the team weighed a 452-pound blue marlin – a massive fish that briefly held 2nd place before finishing among the top blues of the week .

 

  • 1st Place Heaviest Blue (Small Boat Division)
  • 2nd Place My Port Bringing home $31,396 for these two categories.

 

 

A landmark year with multiple first-place victories in both tuna and blue marlin categories.

2020

Total Tuna Takeover

 

South Jersey Tuna Tournament

 

  • 1st & 2nd Place Yellowfin
  • 1st Place Heaviest Yellowfin Stringer
  • 1st Place Overall Stringer
  • 3rd Place Heaviest Big Eye

 

This was a defining year for Taylor Jean, as we swept multiple categories in the South Jersey Tuna Tournament, proving our expertise in targeting yellowfin and  and were rewarded with a check for $49,279 for the effort.

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2021

Mid Atlantic Success Continues

 

 

2nd Heaviest Tuna (Day 1)

3rd Heaviest Tuna (Day 2)

3rd Heaviest Tuna (My Port)

2nd Heaviest Dolphin Overall

 

Another strong performance at the Mid Atlantic, showcasing our versatility across multiple species. Bringing home 2 checks, one for $36,707 and $34,639.

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2022

Big Wins at Blue Fin Open & Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring

 

Blue Fin Open $16,957

  • 2nd Place Heaviest Double Bluefin
  • 1st & 3rd Heaviest Under
  • 1st Heaviest Under Double

 

Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring

  • 1st Place Heaviest Tuna $170,000

 

The Blue Fin Open and Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring brought some of our most exciting and competitive wins to date.

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2023

A Year of Versatility

 

Key West Viking Challenge

  • 2nd Place Billfish Release
  • 1st Place Bottom Fish

 

South Jersey Schools Out Tuna Tournament $2,650

  • 1st Place Heaviest Dolphin
  • 3rd Place Heaviest Combined Stringer
  • 3rd Place Heaviest Yellowfin Stringer

 

White Marlin Open 28,925

  • Day 3 Most Points Billfish Release
  • 3rd Place Overall Billfish Releases

 

The Mid Atlantic $159,574

  • 3rd Place Heaviest Tuna at 216 lbs.

 

Our 2023 season demonstrated Taylor Jean’s versatility, with podium finishes in billfish, dolphin, bottom fish, and tuna.

2024

 

Viking Key West Challenge (Key West, FL)

Won Top Dolphin Team with the largest mahi-mahi.

 

White Marlin Open (Ocean City, MD)

Earned $21,360 for 2nd Place Release and 3rd Place Overall Boat.

 

 

 

 

Taylor Jean’s 2025 Season

A stellar year of record-breaking catches and over $600,000 in tournament winnings.

Viking Key West Challenge (Key West, FL) – May 2025

Took third place heaviest bottom fish with a beautiful African Pompano.

Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament – May 2025

Took 2nd place in a nail-biting competition, ending the day with a $40,000 prize. This win extends the Taylor Jean’s winning streak to 13 consecutive years!

Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Open – May 2025
  • Day 2 – Second Place (Daily)
  • Day 3 – Third Place (Daily)

Overall: First Place Winner for both Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Open and the SFC, netting us $145,050.

Charleston Billfish Cup – June 2025

Taylor Jean and angler Dave McKendrick landed a tournament-record mahi weighing 39.2 pounds. This brought in a check for $12,195 and kept them in first place for the SFC season.

Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic & HUK Big Fish Classic – July 2025

Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic

  • 1st Place – $$ Division
  • 2nd Place – Overall Sport Fishing Championship
  • Total Winnings: $282,412

HUK Big Fish Classic

  • Second Place – Marlin Release
  • Third Place – Mahi Mahi
Event Catch
Event Trophy
Mahi Weigh-in
White Marlin Open – August 2025

In the 52nd annual White Marlin Open, Taylor Jean claimed the prestigious Release Category championship with an impressive 1,085 total points.
Angler Rob Wagner aboard Taylor Jean contributed 595 of those points, earning first place angler honors, while the boat itself also secured first place boat in the release division.

Cumulative Winnings

From 2013 to 2025, Taylor Jean Sport Fishing has amassed over $1,454,719 in verified tournament winnings.

  • 2025 $282,412 Oak Bluffs
  • 2025 $145,050 Walker’s Cay
  • 2025 $59,719 White Marlin Open
  • 2025 $58,900 HUK Big Fish Classic
  • 2023 $159,574 MidAtlantic
  • 2023 $28,925 White Marlin Open

This figure excludes smaller prizes, suggesting actual total earnings may surpass this amount.