While working in this role, he also took on night and weekend side jobs, with the goal of saving enough money to buy his first sportfishing boat. He bought that first boat at age 27 and went on to earn his U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) captain’s license. In 2005, Pereira left the NTSB to become an entrepreneur. Today, he owns businesses in the accident investigation, sportfishing, boat and house construction, restaurant, and other fields.
In the sports fishing world, he’s made a name for himself as a repeat tournament winner, most recently for his top honors at the 65th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, held earlier this summer. There his 484.5-lb. blue marlin netted him a grand prize of $2.77 million. Before that, Pereira won the 2021 White Marlin Open with an 85.5-lb. white marlin worth $3.24 million and he has won or placed more than 10 times with $7 million total in the June-to-August North Carolina and Maryland tournament circuit (Big Rock through Mid Atlantic 500). When asked his secret to success Pereira credits his faith, family mates and long list of mentors, sponsors and supporters – including ZF.
Whether we’re running fast to get to the other side of the Gulfstream by lines-in time or creating a special trolling wake pattern to better attract fish, the ZF transmission equipment on board Sushi and their great customer support contributes to our success.” – Captain Charley Pereira
