For the first time, a Belizean competitive sport-fishing squad is set to make its mark on one of the sport’s most celebrated global stages this week, carrying national pride into the 2026 Costa Offshore World Championship.
Known as “Team Catchin A Buzz,” the four-person angling team has already been competing off the coast of Quepos, Costa Rica, since the tournament kicked off earlier this week, with the final round of competition and award ceremony scheduled for April 23, 2026.
The Belizean team secured its coveted spot in the global tournament after delivering a standout performance at the Grand Caribe Deep Sea Classic, a regional tournament that recently earned official designation as a qualifying event for the world championship. This new status opens the door for more Central American teams to compete on the global offshore fishing circuit in future years.
Widely nicknamed the “Olympics of offshore sport fishing,” the annual Costa Offshore World Championship draws the most elite competitive anglers from more than 40 nations across every inhabited continent. This year’s installment draws hundreds of registered participants, all testing their skill against some of the most sought-after game fish in the world—including sailfish and blue marlin—in nutrient-rich Pacific waters off Costa Rica’s western coast.
Unlike casual fishing competitions, the tournament adheres to rigorous, globally recognized sport-fishing regulations set by the International Game Fish Association, with mandatory video verification for every catch to ensure fair play and compliance with conservation guidelines. Beyond high-stakes competition, event organizers emphasize the tournament’s core mission: building cross-cultural connection and shared camaraderie among the global recreational fishing community.
For Team Catchin A Buzz, the opportunity extends far beyond chasing the world champion title. Competing at the tournament represents a milestone for Belize’s growing sport-fishing community, giving the small Central American nation international recognition in the competitive offshore fishing space and highlighting its vibrant recreational fishing industry to a global audience.