USA Surf Fishing Team Launches New Under-21 Program, Welcomes Dante Bruschi

September 2025 – US Angling is proud to announce the launch of the USA Surf Fishing Team Under-21 Program — a new initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of competitive surf anglers and providing young talent with the opportunity to represent their country on the international stage.

The program’s first official member is Dante Bruschi of Massachusetts, who will compete alongside the senior squad at the upcoming Pan-American Surf Fishing Championship in Costa Rica (Sept 12-14), testing his skills over two days of intense competition in the Caribbean surf.

Introducing Dante Bruschi

Based in Nantucket and originally from North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Dante is a passionate and highly driven surf angler with a deep commitment to the pursuit of land-based saltwater gamefish.

He began his competitive journey in freshwater kayak tournaments before shifting focus to the surf, where he now targets striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore from the beaches and rocky coastlines of Cape Cod and Nantucket.

Recognized for his stamina, determination, and ability to cover ground in search of fish, Dante also trains as a triathlete — a discipline that mirrors the physical and mental demands of high-level competitive surfcasting. Follow Dante on Instagram.

USA Surf Fishing Team President Ben Hervey-Murray commented: “Dante’s combination of surf fishing expertise, athletic focus, and outstanding personal qualities make him an ideal candidate for the Under-21 program – we’re excited to see what he brings to the team in Costa Rica.

“This initiative is possible thanks to the support of our sponsors – who are helping us build vital pathways for the future of America’s national surf fishing team as we target USA’s first-ever gold medal in this competition.”

The new Under-21 program provides a clear pathway for emerging anglers to gain international experience while learning from veteran members of the USA team. With support from world-class partners, the program is committed to giving the next generation of surfcasters the tools, mentorship, and competition opportunities they need to succeed.

USA Surf Fishing Team Under-21 Supporters

The USA Surf Fishing Team and US Angling are proud to recognize the support of its official partners, who are equipping the team with top-tier tackle to ensure they’re ready for international competition:

No Live Bait Needed – Lead Under-21 Sponsor
Trusted by saltwater anglers on every coastline, No Live Bait Needed (NLBN) provides the Under-21 Team with incredible lifelike artificial baits. With a full supply of proven products, NLBN ensures our youth anglers are equipped with the very best lures for every condition and challenge they’ll face on the water. Visit nolivebaitneeded.com

Jigging World – Official Rod Supplier
Providing Dante with precision-engineered surf rods designed for strength, casting distance, and reliability. The team will be using models from the Shadow Surf range. Visit jiggingworld.com

Penn Fishing – Official Reel Supplier
Outfitting Dante with durable, high-performance saltwater reels trusted worldwide in competitive surfcasting – the team will be using PENN Slammer VI reels. Visit pennfishing.com

Outcast Lures – Official Custom Bait Supplier
Handcrafting custom surfcasting lures to give Dante unique, proven tools for targeting tournament species. Visit outcastlures.com

Varivas America – Official Line & Leader Supplier
Supplying Dante with premium Japanese-engineered braid and fluorocarbon leaders for maximum performance. The team will be using braids from the Avani range and Shore Record leaders. Visit varivas.fishing

BKK Hooks – Official Hook Supplier
Equipping Dante with cutting-edge, tournament-grade hooks from the Lone Diablo, Viper and Raptor range – all built for strength, sharpness, and durability. Visit bkkhooks.com

Bass Pro Shops – Foundational Partner
A foundational partner for the team, Bass Pro’s support of US Angling helps the USA Surf Fishing Team on an operational level. Visit basspro.com

Fishbites – Foundational Partner
Florida-based artificial bait experts Fishbites are a foundational partner for the team, providing funding and valuable product support. Visit fishbites.com

With the addition of Dante Bruschi and the launch of the new Under-21 Program, the USA Surf Fishing Team marks an important step toward securing a stronger future for competitive saltwater angling in America.
Additionally, by investing in young talent and creating meaningful opportunities for growth, the team’s mission goes beyond winning medals on the international stage — it’s also about inspiring and empowering the next generation of surf anglers across the country.

Stay updated on the team’s journey in Costa Rica and beyond 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