ESPN Tournaments

KEY WEST, Fla. — On Day One of the Quiznos Madfin Shark Series, all 14 anglers face two looming factors unseen during the previous two years' events: different wind and new rules.

But for the duo of Tony Murphy and Carl Masiello, they hope the ultimate tournament outcome remains the same old song.

Fishing together this year as Team Lowe's, (formerly Team Key Limey, a reference to Murphy's English heritage and the name of his private charter fishing company) Murphy and Masiello have hoisted the tournament's championship trophy for two consecutive years.

As the tournament's success and the television show's popularity have grown each season, so has the quality of the shark anglers.

"The competition has elevated every year," Murphy said. "Now, you have guys like Bill Brown."

Brown, a well-respected and popular angler from the Northeast, accepted the invitation to fish in the tournament this year for the first time. Although the majority of the anglers know of each other both through competitive fishing circles and from living in Key West, newcomers to this year's tournament are certainly not strangers.

Just ask Robert Trosset — or his 173 IGFA world records.

During most fishing tournaments, those with more familiarity of the waters have higher odds of success. "There is a slight advantage in being a local angler this year, but after this year, it's over," Murphy predicted.

Given the talent of all competitors and the weight of the proverbial targets stitched on their jerseys, the pressure to three-peat became uncomfortably apparent for Murphy and Masiello early on Day One.

"Without a doubt, people are gunning for us," Masiello said. But the sturdy angler admitted both he and his partner were more concerned with simply competing.

"The biggest pressure is not to get kicked out after the first day," he said. "That is our goal, because if you make it the first day, then you feel comfortable."

During the Quiznos Madfin Shark Series, elimination threatens the lowest-scoring team on the first day and the two teams at the bottom of the leaderboard on the second day.

Team Lowe's will rest well after Day One. And Murphy and Masiello will fish another day.

The six episodes of the 2008 Quiznos Madfin Shark Series will air on ESPN2, beginning April 6
at 9:30 a.m. ET. For a complete TV schedule and more information on the series, log on to QuiznosMadfin.com