Lights Out Boston Angling Club Storms Back to Win Atlantic Division Title with Thrilling MidAtlantic Tournament Comeback

Few teams embody the grit and spirit of competitive sport fishing quite like Lights Out Boston Angling Club, as they battled all season long for first place in the Atlantic Division of the Sport Fishing Championship. The team’s performance at this year’s MidAtlantic Tournament has already become the stuff of legend—it was, to borrow a saying, Lights Out. In a stunning come-from-behind surge and battling tough conditions brought on by Hurricane Erin winding up offshore, the team stormed past the New Jersey Sea Birds on the final fishing day, securing both the crown of the final regular season tournament and the Atlantic Division Championship of the 2025 Sport Fishing Championship League season. 

Now, Lights Out sets course for the Zane Grey Championship Playoff, to be held in Cabo San Lucas, where the top four teams in the SFC will battle for the 2025 Championship. 

A Victory Forged on the Water 

The MidAtlantic has long been a proving ground for elite fisherman from all over, but Lights Out’s victory was extraordinary even by tournament standards. With the pressure on going into the final event with a 300-point lead in the standings, the team managed to fall behind early. But the crew regrouped with determination and shaped the course of events when it mattered most. Their final release tallies started stacking up and electrified fans onshore and watching remotely and sent a clear message across the league: Boston is a force in the league. 

“This was the definition of a team victory,” said Drew Dolben, Team Owner of Lights Out Boston Angling Club. “It took resilience, trust, and a belief in each other to push through the tough moments. Our captain, Tyler Dufresne, and our crew never stopped fighting—and Boston can be proud of the way we represented the city.” 

Leadership on the Helm 

At the center of this success is the club’s flagship vessel, Lights Out, and husband-and-wife owners Capt. Rob Carmichael and Jackie Hayes, whose leadership in the cockpit have guided the team through sporty seas and tough competition. Jackie’s three releases on the final day of the tournament led the team effort. 

“The ocean can humble you quickly if you don’t respect it,” said Carmichael. “And then there are the other boats, led by tough competitors who want to win just as badly as we do. This team showed incredible character in the clutch, and it’s moments like these that make all the preparation, planning, and executing our strategy on the water worthwhile.” 

Capt. Tyler Dufresne, who has played a pivotal role in Lights Out Boston’s season and success and will help to lead the team on the championship run, echoed that sentiment. “We’ve proven we can dig deep and perform when it gets tight,” he said. “The Zane Grey Championship will be a tremendous challenge—we live for it, and we’re ready.” 

Celebrating with the Community 

As the team plans for their campaign in Cabo San Lucas for the SFC Zane Grey Championship Playoff, they want to celebrate their Atlantic Division title at the Legacy Club of Boston, hosting fans, sponsors, and supporters for a Victory and Bon Voyage Party. “We’re excited to get our friends and fans together,” Carmichael says. “This season has been a great team effort and, best of all, it’s not over yet!” 

““We are excited to represent Boston in the Sport Fishing Championship league and are committed to both winning and as importantly, making an impact in Boston and all coastal communities in Massachusetts,” said Dolben. “We encourage sports fans to follow the exciting action and cheer on the team!” 

Eyes on the Championship 

The Zane Grey Championship Playoff, to be held October 18–20 in Cabo San Lucas, stands as the pinnacle of achievement in the Sport Fishing Championship League. It’s a battleground where only the fiercest competitors will succeed, in waters that serve as truly neutral territory for all teams from both the Atlantic and Gulf Divisions. For Lights Out Boston AC, the path forward is clear: Ride the momentum of triumph in The MidAtlantic Tournament, carry the confidence of big division title win, and bring Boston the Sport Fishing Championship crown.