If you have ever talked to Cody Moss…chances are you’ve talked about fishing with him.  Cody, a true Sarasota native, grew up fishing in the Sarasota Bay and surrounding areas.  He’s been dreaming of entering a big fishing tournament for years and to be quite honest…I was getting sick of only hearing about it.  Oh hi…I’m Candy Moss…proud wife and full supporter of my husband’s fishing obsession.  Well…when he brings us home fresh fish that is.  And this time…he delivered!  Let me tell you about his latest adventure!  

Lucky for Cody, a good buddy of his has been fishing in the Rockstar Offshore Tournament for the last few years.  Meet Robert Reynolds, Sarasota local and owner of the Fire Fly, a fishing boat based out of Los Suenos, Costa Rica.  Rob was ready to put his fishing skills to the test once again and signed up for the 2025 Rockstar Offshore Tournament.  He asked two of his best fishing buddies, Cody Moss & Pete Meister to do the tournament with him and who can say no to that?!  This trio has been fishing and lobstering together for years.  Hot off turning 40, Cody knew it was the perfect time to make this tournament happen.  And, a really good time to get away with going on a weeklong fishing trip!   Time to check it off the bucket list.   They assembled the crew and filled the boat, it was go time.

This tournament, spanning over 2 days, has prizes for Sail fish, Marlin, Tuna and Mahi Mahi – also known as Dorado.  Their team strategy was to go for Tuna and Mahi Mahi and skip the sails.  Boy did it pay off!

Day 1 was here and after a shotgun start with 107 fishing boats (including one with Michael Jordan on it!) they raced out all at once out of Marina Pez Vela.  Time to catch some fish.

The day started off strong when they happened upon an abandoned drug boat, also known as a panga boat.  They had a feeling there could be a big fish hiding under it and they were right!   They landed a giant Mahi Mahi!   They went to scout some different areas and got hooked up with a giant Tuna.  They fought hard for two and a half hours but ultimately had to cut the line so they could make it back to weigh in with their Mahi before the scales closed.  They headed in to the marina with high hopes.  Good news!   The Mahi they caught landed them in 2nd place in the Mahi division for the day!   

Day 2 was up, and they needed to land some more Mahi to seal the deal for 1st prize in that division.  Of course, they were still holding out hope for a big tuna as well.  Spoiler alert…they landed both!  They got a big tuna on the line, fought hard and got it in the boat!  Shortly after that they landed another Mahi Mahi!  They hoped it would be enough.  They headed to the scales where things were looking pretty good for them.   It was getting late, and the scales would be closing soon.  

Back home and enjoying a team dinner they tried to keep busy while they waited for the call. The phone rang…more good news!  They had placed 1st overall in the Mahi Mahi division!  The combined 2-day scoring system had worked in their favor!   Mahi Mahi remains to be Cody’s favorite fish of all time to catch – and for good reason!   That big tuna (147 pounds to be exact) had come in clutch as well and scored them some of the daily jackpot cash prizes.  All in all, they went home with a check for $121,460 and some serious bragging rights.   Looks like 40 is starting off just fine for Cody!