Fishing Mecca Prepares for Billfish and Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournaments

 Los Cabos, Mexico (June 9, 2003) – Los Cabos is gearing up to host two major fishing tournaments this fall.  Every October, when the boats go out to sea to compete in the Annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament -- with over $1 million in prize money -- it underscores a fascinating fact: the fish don’t come bigger or more plentiful any place else in the world.  When fishermen compete in Los Cabos’ own Annual Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, the fight is about skill and savvy throughout an event that celebrates the wealthy waters and nature’s abundance.

             • The 2003 Bisbee Black & Blue Schedule of Events includes:

             August 5-9: Bisbee’s 4^th Annual East Cape Offshore Tournament

            September 11-14: Bisbee’s 3^rd Annual La Paz Offshore Tournament

            October 17-19: Bisbee’s 2^nd Annual Los Cabos Offshore Tournament

            October 21-25:  23rd Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Jackpot Tournament    

            • The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament Schedule of Events includes:

             October 14-18 – 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Final registration, captains meeting and kick-            off party at the Playa Grande Resort.  Captains Meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m.

October 15 – 7:00 a.m: Bimini Start.  4:00 p.m: Lines Out.

October 16 – 7:00 a.m: Bimini Start.  4:00 p.m: Lines Out.

October 17 – 7:00 a.m: Bimini Start.  4:00 p.m.: Lines Out.

October 18 – 6:30 p.m. Awards Banquet, Playa Grande Resort

 More than 10 million years ago an earthquake deep beneath the surface split the far west coast of Mexico, separating the 1,000-mile-long Baja California peninsula from the mainland.  The Pacific Ocean rushed into the gap, creating the Sea of Cortez, a natural fish trap so rich in nutrients that today more than 800 marine species flourish.

 Hemingway came here to fish; so did John Wayne, Bing Crosby and a clutch of other celebrity sportsmen from way back in the ‘40s.  The marlin -- black, blue and striped -- run as big as 1,000 lbs., and as many as 40,000 marlin and Pacific sailfish have been caught in a year.  Catch-and-release is the rule for marlin, with tournaments like the Bisbee setting a weight limit below which the fish must be returned to the sea. 

 There are abundant tuna to be hunted, as well as wahoo, grouper, dorado, snapper, roosterfish and more.  Most hotels and restaurants in the area are ready to fillet and cook the catch, or freeze it for the trip back home.