Buds & Suds Fishing Adventures

The construction industry’s premier big game fishing tournament and networking event breaks records and shatters ceilings in Costa Rica.

The record setting 2023 Buds & Suds Saltwater Challenge closed out with a bang, as teams of construction professionals from across North America joined forces to compete in the construction industry's premier big game fishing tournament and networking event in Costa Rica. The 2-day tournament held at the incomparable Los Sueños Resort on April 22nd & 23rd 2023, witnessed an astounding 170 sailfish, 10 blue marlin, a winning tuna and a giant dorado caught by the competing anglers!

The ceiling was finally shattered at the Buds & Suds Saltwater Challenge, when, for the first time in the illustrious 13-year history of this event, a team led by a female team captain, Chrishelle Terry from Taco Comfort Solutions, takes 1st Place and the first ever all-women's team to the competition.

Led by Leslie Taito and Cheryl Merchant from Taco Comfort Solutions, the first ever team of women in construction to compete in the Buds & Suds Saltwater Challenge included Stephanie Hatley from Heat Transfer Sales, Cherie Hatley from Gallo Mechanical and honorary team member Shannon Davis. Shout out to these competitive ladies who caught 9 sailfish, gave the "boys"; a run for their money, and exemplified what this industry, and this event, is all about.

Congratulations to the 1st place team sponsored by Taco Comfort Solutions. This team was led by the tournament’s first ever, female team captain, Chrishelle Terry from Taco Comfort Solutions. She was joined by Rudy Caffall from Johnson Barrow Inc., Andy Frichtl and Shem Heiple from Interface Engineering, Inc. In true team fashion, they caught an amazing 16 sailfish to take home the title of Tournament Champions.

2nd Place went to the Reliance Worldwide Corporation and Hugh M Cunningham sponsored team from Texas. Austin Cunningham was joined by Brett Bollman from C&B Utilities, Heath Gattis and Brent Gattis from Triad Mechanical Services, and Bob Gural from Relaince Worldwide Corporation.

After catching 7 sailfish on Day 1 and sitting in 9th place overall, this team made a big move on the second day by catching 3 more sailfish and 2 blue marlin to catapult them into 2nd Place.

The 3rd Place team sponsored by MIFAB was led by team captain Ryan Moore from MIFAB and included James Freeman from EAS Inc., Wes Hoffman from Rightway Plumbing, and Joe Risinski from QPH. Catching 14 sailfish put them in the money and secured their spot on the stage.

The Tuna Jackpot was won by the Cregger Company sponsored team from South Carolina with a 35.8 lb. tuna. The team was led by Brendan Donohue from Cregger Company and included Kevin White and Charley Miller from Charlotte Mechanical, as well as Tradd Bruce and Kevin Montgomery from TBA Construction.

The Dorado Jackpot was won by the Taco Comfort Solutions sponsored team with a massive 52 lb. dorado. The team was led by Ric Turmel from Taco Comfort Solutions and included Kent Hancock from RM Cotton Company, John Palmer and Nick Corbett from Pioneer Power, and Jon Thomas from NH Yates & Company, Inc. 

Congratulations goes out to all of the competing anglers and a huge debt of gratitude goes out to all of our sponsors for helping us build the construction industry's premier big game fishing tournament and networking event.

Buds & Suds Fishing Adventures specializes in curating custom Costa Rica vacations, VIP fishing adventures, and produces and hosts the Construction Industry’s premier big game fishing tournament and networking event.