NEWS

The Marlin Group Expands Media Portfolio With Acquisition of InTheBite Properties

InTheBite magazine cover
  • InTheBite ranks among the nation’s top three big-game publications
  • The Marlin Group becomes the #1 big-game fishing publisher worldwide
  • Marlin and InTheBite will publish in alternating months starting in 2026
  • Founder Dale Wills to remain on board as Publisher 
  • Jack Vitek takes on editorial leadership across both titles

For Immediate Release
For inquiries, contact [email protected]

December 3, 2025 — The Marlin Group, publisher of Marlin magazine and the largest operator of international big‑game fishing tournaments, today announced its acquisition of InTheBite magazine. This strategic addition strengthens the company’s longstanding commitment to serving the global big‑game fishing community across print, digital and experiential platforms, while positioning both brands for long-term growth in an evolving media landscape.

“InTheBite has long been recognized for its dedication to big‑game fishing through the unique and authentic lens of the professional crew,” said David Ritchie, Marlin Group CEO. “Its editorial voice, grounded on the bridge and in the cockpit, makes it a natural and powerful complement to Marlin’s traditional business.”

As part of the acquisition, founder and publisher Dale Wills will remain on board as Publisher to help guide the brand forward. His deep relationships within the sportfishing community and long‑standing advocacy for professional crews will continue to shape IntheBite’s future as it enters this next chapter.

“For decades, the Marlin team has set the standard in big-game fishing with its influential publication and signature events,” said Wills. “Together, the two brands will offer an unparalleled, 360‑degree view of the sport—from the anglers to the captains to the mates who make it all happen.”

Beginning in 2026, Marlin and InTheBite will publish in alternating months, giving readers a steady cadence of premium, highly focused content throughout the year. The year will culminate in December 2026 with a keepsake annual guide—The Best of Big Game 2027—that will feature standout content from both brands. The annual guide, more than three times the size of a standard issue of InTheBite, will celebrate the sport’s best stories, innovations and personalities, while awarding recipients for notable achievements in key categories, including InTheBite’s popular Captain of the Year program.

The Marlin Group’s Jack Vitek will serve as editorial director for both titles. 

About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest big-game fishing network reaching more than one million captains, anglers, mates and boat owners annually across a variety of touchpoints. The group publishes Marlin, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and InTheBite, the market leading magazine for sportfishing captains for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands; and the Bermuda Triple Crown, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is a core division of the US-based outdoor adventure company Bonnier LLC.Learn more at marlinmag.com and bonniercorp.com.

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The Marlin Group Expands Hawaii Tournament Lineup with Acquisition of The Pacific Cup

The Pacific Cup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For inquiries, contact [email protected]

  • Acquisition strengthens The Marlin Group’s tournament offerings in Hawaii
  • Challenging format rewards angler skill and team achievement
  • Attracts competitive teams from across the globe
  • Register now at pacific-cup.com

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – October 7, 2025 — The Marlin Group, the world’s largest big-game fishing network, has acquired The Pacific Cup, an international tournament that draws teams from as far away as New Zealand and Japan to the shores of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii each August.

The 2026 Pacific Cup will take place August 9-15, preceding the Big Island Marlin Tournament. This prime calendar slot gives participating teams the opportunity to extend their stay in Kona and double down on the competition—competing in both light- and heavy-tackle formats in a two-week run of world-class tournament fishing.

“This is a step forward in our efforts to draw greater international participation to Kona,” said David Ritchie, CEO of The Marlin Group. “The Pacific Cup has demonstrated innovation and stability each year since 2022 and has earned global respect for its light-tackle format. This tournament has the makings of a major international event. Now, with the full force of The Marlin Group behind it, that potential can be fully realized.”

The Pacific Cup’s signature 50-pound-class format offers a sharp contrast to the heavy-tackle battles that define most of the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series (HMTS). It adds not only diversity, but depth—appealing to technical purists, international teams, and competitive crews seeking a unique angling challenge.

Crucially, the tournament’s founders—legendary Hawaii captains Boyd DeCoito and Simon Brown—will stay on board as co-chairs to ensure a seamless transition and preserve its competitive integrity and character that made the Pacific Cup a must-fish event. 

“We started The Pacific Cup in 2022 because we saw strong, continuing interest among international teams for a light-tackle format that really challenged angling skill,” Brown said. “What began as an informal gathering has grown into a finely tuned operation, and with The Marlin Group now involved, we’re positioned to reach the next level. We’re excited to see what the future holds for the Pacific Cup.”

The Marlin Group’s acquisition of the Pacific Cup comes during a milestone first year at the helm of the HMTS—a season already marked by growth, fresh energy, and renewed global interest. Adding the Pacific Cup continues that momentum by adding a world-class, light-tackle event that complements Kona’s legacy and future.

“Jumping into the HMTS this season has shown me how ready this community is for thoughtful growth,” said Lacey Hagler, Tournament Director. “Kona’s energy is strong, and adding the Pacific Cup brings a new dimension—honoring technical skill and attracting even more international talent to this incredible fishery.”

Teams looking to elevate their season—and their reputation—now have a new battleground. With the Pacific Cup now on board to complement the HMTS, Kona’s rich history in competitive sportfishing grows even stronger. Register now at pacific-cup.com.

About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest big-game fishing network reaching more than one million captains, anglers, mates and boat owners annually across a variety of touchpoints. The group publishes Marlin magazine, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands; Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series; the Bermuda Triple Crown; and the Marlin Global Challenge, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is a core division of the US-based outdoor adventure company Bonnier LLC.

Learn more at marlinmag.com and bonniercorp.com.

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Offshore World Championship 2026: Exciting Changes Ahead

Anglers showing off their championship rings.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For inquiries, contact [email protected]

  • Bring Your Boat. Bring Your Team. Fish Against the World’s Best.
  • Lower Entry Fees. Bigger Jackpots. No Invite Needed.
  • Register now at owc.catchstat.com

Quepos, Costa Rica – September 30, 2025 — The Offshore World Championship (OWC), long regarded as the “Olympics of Sport Fishing,” is throwing down the gauntlet in 2026 with a bold new format that redefines what it means to compete on the world’s biggest offshore stage with a chance to win the coveted OWC championship ring. 

Scheduled for April 19-23, 2026, during Costa Rica’s flourishing tournament season, teams will no longer be assigned boats through random daily draws. Instead, they’ll bring their own—whether private or chartered—and battle it out on their terms, with their crew, and their gear. It’s a sea change designed to elevate the team experience, open the field to more contenders, and solidify the OWC as the true global big-game championship. 

“This evolution has been a long time coming—and we’ve listened to the global big-game community every step of the way,” said David Ritchie, CEO of The Marlin Group. “We’re preserving everything that makes the OWC legendary—the prestige, the camaraderie, and the fierce competition—while unlocking new opportunities for serious teams to bring their best game. This is what a true world championship should look like.”

For the first time, teams can choose to compete from the OWC host facility at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, or at any location of their choosing, so long as they fish within approved boundaries—a major logistical boost and another step toward making the OWC the most accessible, yet elite, competition in offshore sportfishing. As in years past, the weigh-ins, dockside activities and awards banquet will take place at Marina Pez Vela. The nearby luxurious Parador Nature Resort & Spa will host a lavish registration kickoff party and provide discounted accommodations for tournament participants. 

Aerial view of Quepos Costa Rica Marina Pez Vela

Technology takes its place in the new era, too. Boats with or without omnidirectional sonar are welcome. To keep the playing field level, billfish released without the assistance of Omni will count more—striking a balance between cutting-edge tech and traditional sportfishing grit. 

At the heart of this evolution, one thing remains sacred: anglers must hook and fight their own fish without assistance, in strict accordance with IGFA rules. This commitment honors the tournament’s legacy and ensures the OWC continues to reward true angling skill.

The new structure also slashes participation costs from the previous $15,950 entry fee. Qualifying teams—those invited to participate due to their win in an Official OWC Qualifying Event—can now enter for just $3,500. Open-entry teams are welcome to apply for the new base entry of $5,000, opening the tournament to a broader, more diverse, and hungrier competitive field. 

And for those looking to up the ante, 2026 will introduce expanded optional jackpot categories—offering substantial cash payouts that many may not realize have become part of the OWC experience. While the event only began awarding cash two years ago, these new jackpots promise to make the stakes even more thrilling for those bold enough to enter.

Held each April at Marina Pez Vela, the OWC has attracted top-tier anglers from more than 70 nations across its storied history. In 2025, 34 teams from 19 countries released 591 billfish in one of the sport’s most electric weeks.

In 2026, a new era begins. Bigger field. Bolder format. Higher stakes. Charter boats will book fast—lock yours in now at marinapezvela.com, then head to owc.catchstat.com to register. This is your shot at one of the most coveted prizes in all of sportfishing: the OWC Championship Ring.

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About the Offshore World Championship
Produced by The Marlin Group, the Offshore World Championship is the most internationally diverse billfish tournament on Earth. The tournament is operated under strict IGFA rules and serves as the final battleground where winners of qualifying events compete against the sport’s top competitive challengers, in a truly global big-game showdown. 

About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest big-game fishing network reaching more than one million captains, anglers, mates and boat owners annually across a variety of touchpoints. The group publishes Marlin magazine, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands; Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series; the Bermuda Triple Crown; and the Marlin Global Challenge, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is a core division of the US-based outdoor adventure company Bonnier LLC.

Learn more at marlinmag.com and bonniercorp.com.

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The Marlin Group: New leadership to power tournament growth

Marlin Tournaments Logos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For inquiries, contact [email protected]

  • New Pacific and Atlantic leadership structure introduced 
  • Lacey Hagler promoted to Pacific Tournament Director
  • Search underway for Atlantic Tournament Director; Connor Motsko appointed interim lead

Winter Park, Fla. – August 15, 2025 — The Marlin Group, the world’s largest big-game fishing network, has announced key organizational changes to support continued growth across its expanding portfolio of big-game tournaments.

Following the acquisition of the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series (HMTS), The Marlin Group is designating separate tournament directors for the Atlantic and Pacific. This geographic alignment allows for deeper regional focus and operational oversight, acknowledging the distinct business models, participant demographics, and logistical considerations unique to each market.

Lacey Hagler, Associate Tournament Director for the past four years, has been promoted to Pacific Tournament Director. She will oversee the HMTS, the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica, and the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Mexico.

“Lacey has distinguished herself in service to these events since joining the team, and stepped up in 2025 to lead Bonnier’s integration of the HMTS,” said David Ritchie, Marlin Group CEO. “We have tremendous confidence in her ability to expand the group’s tournament operations across the Pacific region.”

Recruitment is underway for a new Atlantic Tournament Director to lead the Bermuda Triple Crown and the Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands, with a focus on expanding existing operations and identifying new opportunities in the region. During the transition, Connor Motsko, Sales Director & Business Development lead, will serve as interim Atlantic lead. Motsko has deep-rooted sportfishing background and hands-on experience in working with top-tier tournaments.

These changes come as the organization announces the departure of Jennifer Dudas, former Tournament Director. The Marlin Group extends its sincere appreciation for her many contributions and years of service.

“This restructuring represents a thoughtful and necessary evolution in how we operate and scale our tournament business,” Ritchie said. “By aligning leadership within our key regions, we can stay laser-focused on delivering first-class events, building new opportunities for our partners, and continuing to elevate the global standard for competitive offshore fishing.”

Qualified candidates interested in applying for the Atlantic Tournament Director should apply via LinkedIn. 

Key contacts:

  • Press inquiries: [email protected]
  • Pacific tournaments (Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series, Los Cabos Billfish Tournament or Offshore World Championship 2026): [email protected]
  • Atlantic tournaments (Scrub Island Billfish Series, Bermuda Triple Crown 2026): [email protected]

About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest big-game fishing network reaching more than one million captains, anglers, mates and boat owners annually across a variety of touchpoints. The group publishes Marlin magazine, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands; Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series; the Bermuda Triple Crown; and the Marlin Global Challenge, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is a core division of the US-based outdoor adventure company Bonnier LLC.

Learn more at marlinmag.com and bonniercorp.com.

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