The Women’s World Championship of Fishing

Crowns 2026’s Best in Costa Rica

Quepos, Costa Rica — At sunrise on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, 67 boats surged toward open water carrying 313 of the most competitive female anglers in the world. They weren’t fishing for fun. They were competing for a world title.

The 2026 Pescadora Billfish Championship — the Women’s World Championship of Fishing — delivered another commanding performance, releasing an extraordinary 1,293 billfish in just two days, with 47% qualifying under International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules, a powerful benchmark of technical skill.

Representing 13 countries, the international field battled for the sport’s highest honors. These women mastered controlled chaos, split second decisions and execution under pressure.

Paige Bayliss (Team Tarheel) claimed Female Angler of the Year in the IGFA Release Division with 18 sailfish.
Margaret Cabell (Tag-N-Stick) secured the Hook & Hand Female Angler of the Year title with 19 releases.
Elizabeth Arn (Team E&A) released 20 sailfish announcing the arrival of the next generation to earn Junior Angler of the Year.

When the final leaderboard locked, Team Tarheel stood alone — capturing Overall Champion honors with 5,520 points leading a fiercely competitive fleet that were followed by Sweet Spot - 4,400 point, Los Hermanos – 3,720 points, and Mama Seata with 3,600 points.

Beyond billfish, Lights Out claimed Dorado Grand Champion (52.2 points), highlighted by Casey Carmichael’s 28.4 lb dorado.

Stress Reeliever 1 once again dominated the Tuna Division with 270.4 combined points, led by Connie Balusek’s 111lb tuna — a performance worthy of any international stage.

It is fierce competition, championship-caliber crews and celebratory evenings followed by white-attire elegance under marina lights — 134 bottles of champagne popped as champions were crowned.  And when the awards ceremony reached its final moment, the now-iconic words echoed across Quepos: “Ladies… You are Pescadoras.”