Cabo is well known for its great weather and a great variety of game fish. The warm water temperatures of the Sea of Cortez blends with the currents of the Pacific Ocean to offer the perfect combination for the offshore species, including Marlin of the Black, Blue and Striped species, Sailfish, Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo and more.
That is why Los Cabos has been an ideal spot to hold some of the largest fishing tournaments in the world. The tournaments start in late June and runs into November. Below is a list of the most popular tournaments.
STARS AND STRIPES
The Stars and Stripes fishing and golf tournament was established in 1996 and has quickly become the largest, fundraiser of the year for one Southern California Big Brothers, Big Sisters club. In addition to serving the youth of Orange County, Stars and Stripes also gives back to the communities of Cabo San Lucas donating modern medical equipment and new ambulances. They end each event with a pretty amazing concert highlighted by recognized names like the Doobie Brothers performing live. A good time while raising cash for charity is a sure bet.
www.starsandstripestournament.com
BISBEE’S BLUE WATER CUP
Part of the Bisbee’s Bluewater Cup Series, the East Cape Offshore tournament is seen by many as the first of two warm-up events for the big one… the Black and Blue that takes place in Cabo San Lucas in October. Hosted at the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort, the event started in 2000 and marks it’s 15th anniversary in 2015. 2012 saw 61 teams and 350 anglers compete with the top fish being a 262lb yellowfin tuna setting a new record for an East fishing tournament.
www.bisbees.com
LOS CABOS BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament is a three-day big-fish team event with honors going to the team that tallies the most points per pound – prize money goes to the top three teams. A trophy and a smaller cash prize is awarded to the boat releasing the most billfish. The 2012 event was won with a 487lb black marlin that swept the daily jackpots, levels one thru three. Total winnings for team Bill Collector was $167,877.50.
BISBEE’S LOS CABOS OFFSHORE TOURNAMENT
The second of three Bisbee events in southern Baja, the Los Cabos Offshore tournament takes place a few days prior to the multi-million dollar Black and Blue. Many teams that fish the big one fish this as well – it’s the prefect “pre-fishing” opportunity. in 2013, the tourney attracted 80 teams and 466 anglers with nearly $500,000 in prize money up for grabs. The team aboard Chupacabra came away with top honors for their 583lb blue marlin and a check for $206,973. Second place went to Sneak Attack with a 565lb blue for $189,837.
www.bisbees.com
BISBEE’S BLACK & BLUE
The big daddy of the them all has paid out big over it’s 30+ year history.
In 2006 team Bad Company took it all with a check for over $3.9 Million. In 2012, team Frantic Pace did the same to the tune of nearly $2.5 Million. And the 2015 team Tranquilo, from Costa Rica earned $2,511,462, the second-highest single team payout in Black & Blue history, with a blue marlin weighing 327 pounds. That fish was good for third place overall, sweeping all but one optional jackpots on the first day.
www.bisbees.com
WON LOS CABOS TUNA JACKPOT
$432,000 paid out to nine teams in 2010. $438,000 and 108 teams in 2011. What did 2013 hold? How about a field of 121 teams and prize money of nearly $600,000!! Yep, the WON Tuna Jackpot just keeps getting bigger and better. How so? Well, 2012’s tourney is being called the greatest tuna fishing tourney ever held in Los Cabos – it was certainly a record breaker by virtue of the number of big fish. A 372lb cow was the overall winner followed by 11 fish that tipped the scales at over 200lbs.
www.loscabostunajackpot.com/