In front of a packed room at the New England Boat Show, junior angler Griffin Sabolevski took the mic to describe catching a 46-inch striped bass, delivering the story with the calm of someone who had been there before.
“We woke up super early, caught mackerel, and once the sun came up, we started seeing stripers,” Sabolevski said. “I just cast in and caught that fish.”
That fish earned Sabolevski top honors in the Junior Striped Bass Catch & Release division of the Massachusetts Commissioner’s Cup.
In the Adult division, Jerry Horan took home catch-and-release honors with a truly exceptional 54-inch striped bass landed on a trip that left out of Winthrop.
“So, there were about thirty boats out there off Scituate,” Horan said. “We were fishing right off the breaks, and luck happened. I had a lot of verbal support from my team. When that fish finally came up to the surface, it was awesome.”
A Growing Crowd and a Renewed Derby
Those standout catches were honored during an awards ceremony held at the New England Boat Show, where organizers from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) noted a noticeably larger crowd than in past years — a visible sign of renewed interest in the state’s flagship saltwater derby.
That momentum follows the derby’s recent rebrand as the Commissioner’s Cup, a move designed to modernize the event while keeping its roots firmly planted in Massachusetts fishing culture. Judging by the turnout and the energy in the room, the rebrand is resonating.
A Trophy Meant to Last
One of the most talked-about additions to the Commissioner’s Cup this year was the introduction of a new perpetual trophy, custom-built by Cape Cod artist Steve Swain. The trophy features multiple iconic Massachusetts gamefish and is designed to grow with the derby, adding new names to its base each year.
Beginning this spring, the trophy will be placed on permanent public display at the Foxboro Bass Pro Shops, just inside the fishing department near the store’s large aquarium. The idea is to put the achievement front and center, where everyday anglers can see what’s possible.
In addition to the main trophy, Angler of the Year and Junior Angler of the Year winners received personal, custom-made trophies from Swain. Junior Angler of the Year Sabolevski chose a striped bass for his design, while Adult Angler of the Year Nicholas Rhodes, who entered multiple offshore species, opted for a scup — an unconventional but very Massachusetts choice that drew plenty of appreciation from the crowd.
Why the Commissioner’s Cup Matters
During the ceremony, Tom O’Shea, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, framed the derby as something bigger than competition.
“Being from Massachusetts myself, this is part of our identity. It’s who we are, the Bay State,” O’Shea said. “Saltwater recreation and fishing are a big part of our coastal communities — economically, culturally, and at the dinner table.”
O’Shea shared a personal story about taking his son fishing in Buzzards Bay, where a first false albacore created a memory that still sticks.
“The smiles lasted forever,” he said. “You just can’t put a price on those memories.”
That sentiment was echoed by Dan McKiernan, Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, who emphasized the role anglers play in both conservation and data collection.
“This is always a great event to recognize talented, passionate — and sometimes lucky — anglers,” McKiernan said. “Our saltwater fishing, it’s world class, and by working together as a community, we will make our fisheries even better.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
From junior anglers catching their biggest fish ever to offshore veterans logging once-in-a-lifetime releases, the Commissioner’s Cup continues to evolve and grow.
With increasing participation, a growing crowd at the awards ceremony, and a new trophy that will greet anglers year-round at Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro, the message heading into next season is clear: the Commissioner’s Cup is wide open.
For Massachusetts anglers looking for a reason to measure, photograph, and share their best catches, 2026 is the year to get involved. Whether it’s a first striper, a personal best, or a fish with a story worth telling, the next name on the trophy could be yours.
photos courtesy of Massachusetts DMF