Costa Rica, September 2025 — The USA Surf Fishing Team returns from the 2025 Pan-American Surf Fishing Championships in Costa Rica with a hard-won team silver medal, along with gold and silver individual honors in one of the closest tournaments to date.

The championship, held on the Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica, saw the host nation seeking a third consecutive gold on home territory.

After a difficult first day with few fish caught in stormy conditions and heavy rain, Team USA faced a steep climb up the leaderboard. Under-21 representative Dante Bruschi led the group with a 70-point jack, caught from an outside sand bar after several hours of enduring overhead waves and strong currents.

Day two proved decisive. Determined to fight back, the squad put in an extraordinary performance over the final two sessions, enduring tropical heat, heavy surf, and hours of near-constant wading, casting and fishing to execute their game plan.

A superb 80cm+ snook landed by Caleb Hood put the U.S. back in contention, but the team still needed crucial jacks in the final session to secure a podium finish.

With just 90 minutes remaining, Ben Hervey-Murray caught a jack that kept the team’s hopes alive as they edged into second place. In the closing minutes, Brandon Sausele hooked an even larger jack, consolidating the USA’s silver medal position just minutes before the end.

The individual categories also brought historic success. Competing in his first international championship, Under-21 angler Dante Bruschi of Massachusetts earned gold in the youth division, showcasing grit, skill, and composure well beyond his years.

In the senior individual division, Caleb Hood secured silver with one of the tournament’s standout catches, his big snoook — proving that even on unfamiliar beaches, Team USA could compete toe-to-toe with the best.

When the final scores were tallied, Mexico claimed a well-deserved team gold, the USA earned silver, and defending champions Costa Rica settled for bronze on their home turf. Just one fish separated each position.

“This was a huge achievement for our team,” said Ben Hervey-Murray. “To beat Costa Rica on their backyard beach and push the tournament down to the final few casts is a testament to the determination, resilience and skill of this group.”

“We are incredibly proud of our anglers – many of whom traveled thousands of miles and gave up countless days of their lives to compete. We are also grateful to our families, friends, and sponsors who made this possible. We’ll be back even stronger in 2026.” .

Team Results

1. Gold – México – 277
2. Silver – USA – 230
3. Bronze – Costa Rica – 209

Individual Results

1. Gold – Osvaldo Mendoza – México – 177
2. Silver – Caleb Hood – USA – 98
3. Bronze – Franco Hernández – Costa Rica – 84
4. Mario Gaitan – Nicaragua – 83
5. Erick Morales – Nicaragua – 78
6. Dante Bruschi (U21) – USA – 70
7. Diego Montero – Costa Rica – 70
8. Brandon Sausele – USA – 62
9. Andrey Álvarez – Costa Rica – 55
10. Tony Cruz – México – 52
11. Alexander Bermúdez – Costa Rica – 50
12. Romeo Miranda – México – 48
13. Ben Hervey-Murray – USA – 46

The USA Surf Fishing team and US Angling would like to extend its thanks to the Costa Rican Sport Fishing Federation for organizing a superb tournament, and to all the competitors and supporters who helped to make it such a close and competitive event.

Official Team Sponsors & Partners

Lead Team Sponsor – No Live Bait Needed
No Live Bait Needed (NLBN) is the national team’s go-to artificial lure company, designing innovative lifelike baits built to take on the toughest gamefish. Their high-performance lures are trusted by serious surf anglers across the country – including the team in Costa Rica – and NLBN proudly supports the USA Surf Fishing Team as the lead sponsor. Visit nlbn.com

Foundational Partner – Bass Pro Shops
One of the world’s largest outdoor retailers, Bass Pro Shops provides surf anglers with everything they need – from tackle and lines, to baits and hooks. Their commitment to supporting competitive angling and conservation makes them an invaluable foundational partner of the national team. Visit basspro.com

Foundational Partner – Fishbites
Fishbites creates durable, mess-free natural bait alternatives designed for saltwater and freshwater anglers alike. Their products have revolutionized bait fishing, providing reliability and convenience on the water. Florida-based Fishbites continues to support the USA national team as a foundational partner. Visit fishbites.com

Official Rod Supplier – Jigging Worldh
Jigging World is known in the surf casting community for designing high-quality fishing rods and tackle built for demanding saltwater conditions. The team use models from their Shadow Surf range – from 9’6” to 11’ – equipping them with the tools needed for success on the international stage. Visit jiggingworld.com

Official Reel Supplier – PENN Fishing
With over 80 years of innovation, PENN is one of the most trusted names in saltwater reels. Their tournament-proven technology ensures USA is equipped with the very best when battling powerful surf species, and team members used Slammer IV models – mainly 4500 and 6500 High Speed versions – during the tournament. Visit pennfishing.com

Official Hook Supplier – BKK Hooks
BKK Hooks is the global leader in precision-engineered fishing hooks, trusted by top anglers for their strength, sharpness, and durability. With a heritage rooted in innovation and performance, BKK equips the national team with the cutting-edge hook technology needed to compete at the highest level. Their support ensures the team is armed with the very best hooks – including trebles from the Raptor and Viper range – for every championship. Visit bkkhooks-americas.com

Official Line & Leader Supplier – Varivas America
Varivas produces premium Japanese-engineered braided line, fluorocarbon leaders, and monofilament trusted by anglers worldwide. As the team’s official supplier, Varivas ensures maximum strength, sensitivity, and reliability in the toughest tournament conditions. The team used Varivas Avani Casting Max Power PE braid main lines and Shore Record leaders in Costa Rica. Visit www.varivas.fishing

Official Holster Supplier – Turtle Cove Tackle
Turtle Cove Tackle provides specialized surfcasting gear including holsters, bags, clips and accessories designed for hardcore surf anglers. Their rugged, practical designs help the group stay organized and ready during competition, and all team members used their custom USA team- branded 7.5” pliers holsters during the competition. Visit turtlecovetackle.com

Official Surf Belt Supplier – Z Belts
Z Belts are famous for premium surf belts designed to withstand the harshest conditions while keeping anglers comfortable and secure. Their innovative design provides USA with essential lumbar support and functionality with accessory attachments on the beach in Costa Rica. Visit zbelts.com

Official Equipment Supplier – GoDeepMTK
GoDeepMTK is a Montauk-based outfitter specializing in metal surfcasting lures and topwater baits, gear, tackle, and apparel designed for serious anglers. Their dedication to the sport and innovative products make them a valuable supporter of the national team, and the group use Slob Slammer jigs and Bar Breaker baits.
Visit godeepmtk.com

Official Equipment Supplier – Lure Walker
Lure Walker provides innovative fishing lures like needlefish plugs, tools, clothing and accessories designed to improve efficiency and performance for surf anglers. Their gear helps keep the USA team prepared and competitive in every situation, and looking great.
Visit lurewalker.com

Official Custom Bait Supplier – Outcast Lures
Outcast Lures specializes in handcrafted custom baits tailored for serious surfcasting. With a focus on performance, durability, and artistry, Outcast supplies the team with unique, proven topwater lures for international competition.
Visit outcastlures.com

Official Accessory Supplier – Cox & Rawle
Cox & Rawle is renowned for its high-quality terminal tackle, tools and rigging accessories. Their products give the USA the reliability and edge needed when targeting powerful surf species with a range of useful accessories to aid the team. Visit coxandrawle.com

Official Topwater Arsenal Supplier – Island X Lures
Designed and tested in demanding coastal conditions, Island X Lures combine durability, precision, and fish-catching performance. By supplying the national team with custom pencil and stickbaits, Island X ensures the squad has unique, tournament-ready lures to give them a unique advantage wherever they compete. Visit islandxlures.com

Stay updated on the team’s journey by following the USA Surf Fishing Team on social media via Instagram and Facebook.

About the the USA Surf Fishing Team:

USA Surf Fishing is a member of USAngling – America’s national governing body for international sport fishing competition. The USA Surf Fishing Team is dedicated to representing the United States in international shore-based saltwater fishing competitions and promoting the sport of surf fishing.

The team comprises passionate leaders and anglers who excel in their craft and work together to represent our home country whilst spreading the positive aspects of fishing to all in an ethical and positive spirit.

For more information:

For more details, interview opportunities with the USA Surf Fishing Team organizers, sponsorship opportunities, and other enquiries, please email the USA Surf Fishing Team at usasurffishingteam@gmail.com

Want to run a qualifier event for USA Surf Fishing? Contact us to see if your event can be utilized to help select our team.

About USAngling:

USAngling is a 501c3 charitable organization that provides leadership for our U.S.A. National Fishing Teams as they compete worldwide, shares our love of Competitive Angling by engaging America’s youth, supports Conservation actions, and empowers local Community angling groups.

For more information on USAngling go to www.usangling.org