Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina Announces Winners of 2026 Scrub Island Billfish Series
Growing fields and more than $500,000 in payouts highlight another successful year on the legendary North Drop
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (Sept. 21, 2026) – Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina recently concluded the annual Scrub Island Billfish Series (Aug. 24-Sept. 1), produced by The Marlin Group. Building on the momentum of 2025, this year’s tournament fields grew to 16 teams in Leg I and 14 teams in Leg II, up from 14 and 13, respectively, last year. More than $500,000 in payouts were available across the two legs as anglers once again competed on the legendary North Drop. The fleet recorded 93 billfish releases during the series – 89 blue marlin, two white marlin and two sailfish – including 58 releases in Leg I and 35 in a weather-shortened Leg II.
This year’s winners are as follows:
Leg I (Aug. 24-28, 2026)
First Place: Swish / Capt. Michael Mattson
Second Place: Big Ben / Capt. Colin Page
Third Place: Marlin Darlin / Capt. Shay Danzig
Leg II (Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2026)
First Place: Fresh Air / Capt. Bryan Ramos
Second Place: Swish / Capt. Michael Mattson
Third Place: Big Ben / Capt. Colin Page
Top Angler Leg I Swish / Joe West
Top Angler Leg II Fresh Air / Ricardo Quinones
“The continued growth of the Scrub Island Billfish Series speaks to what makes this event so special – world-class fishing paired with the relaxed, private-island experience our guests enjoy once they return to the dock,” said Sandra Grisham-Clothier, General Manager of Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina. “We’re proud to welcome these talented teams back to the BVI each year and to provide a home base that puts them close to the legendary North Drop while giving anglers, families and friends a memorable resort experience throughout the week.”
During the tournament, anglers and their families enjoyed the resort’s top-tier amenities, including Ixora Spa, world-class restaurants, two private beaches, a four-tiered pool with waterfalls, a 55-slip marina and more. Scrub Island Marina is the closest marina to the North Drop, giving tournament teams convenient access to one of the world’s premier blue marlin fishing grounds while also serving as a departure point for exploring the BVI’s sea life and neighboring islands.
Dates for the 2027 Scrub Island Billfish Series will be announced at a later date.
For more information on Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, call (877) 890-7444 or visit ScrubIsland.com. For more information on the Scrub Island Billfish Series, visit MarlinMag.com.
About Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, BVI
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is named after its location, a serene 230-acre private-island haven situated at the east end of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The luxury, AAA Four-Diamond hotel is tucked into a rugged cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and neighboring islands. The resort features 52 guest accommodations as well as a collection of two-, three-, four- and six-bedroom villas, the intimate Ixora Spa, world-class restaurants, two private beaches, on-site boutique, sundries shop with grab & go options, full-service provisions store and a 55-slip marina. Just offshore on its own private island is the all-new Marina Cay Bar & Grill serving lunch and dinner. The Scrub Island Marina offers exhilarating excursions through Dive BVI and is homebase for PYPER Yachts. For more information, call toll free U.S. (877) 890-7444, visit ScrubIsland.com, or follow on Facebook, and Instagram.
About Mainsail Lodging & Development
Mainsail Lodging & Development is an award-winning, Tampa, Florida-based company specializing in hotel, furnished housing, and resort property management and development, marketing and sales. An established company with a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, Mainsail prides itself in finding unique lodging opportunities with a purpose and applying its passion and expertise to each project. Founded by President Joe Collier with a combination of daring vision and dogged determination, Mainsail has built an impressive portfolio of top-branded properties throughout the southeastern United States and Caribbean. Each Mainsail property inspires guests with a distinct character and meticulously crafted, sophisticated style, from a private island resort, and urban culinary showplaces, to waterfront marvels, boutique southern hotels, and a historic jazz-era icon. Stay Sojo, Mainsail’s newest brand, provides short-term furnished living options across the country, while Mainsail Vacation Rentals manages a collection of private vacation homes in Florida and the Caribbean. To ensure long-term success and profitability, Mainsail relies on the dedication of its high-performing associates, a growing group of enterprising investors, and a commitment to giving back, every step of the way. MainsailHotels.com
About Scrub Island Billfish Series
The Scrub Island Billfish Series comprises two prestigious tournaments – Leg 1 and Leg 2 – providing an impressive lineup of sport-fishing boats with access to the legendary North Drop, a globally acclaimed hotspot for billfish. Just 1.5 miles off the coast of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, provides incomparable luxury onshore. What sets this event apart is its exclusive nature, tailored for teams seeking competition within a tranquil, secluded haven, fostering a tight-knit camaraderie.
About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest network of big-game fishing enthusiast brands, with an integrated portfolio of media and experiential event properties which cater to anglers, captains, mates, and others who pursue the ocean’s apex predators. The group publishes Marlin, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and is the worldwide market leader for international billfishing tournaments, with the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica, the Bermuda Triple Crown, Scrub Island Series in the British Virgin Islands, and the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Mexico. Marlin Expeditions—formerly Marlin University—has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s best big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years, and in 2023 will visit Costa Rica, Guatemala, Cape Verde, Panama, Australia, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Marlin Group is an operating unit of Bonnier LLC, an outdoor adventure company.