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Billfish and Big Purses: Previewing the 2020 Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

August 25, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Fish all day, party all night. For over 20 years, that’s been the recipe for success
for the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament.

Some refinements in terms of social distancing and other safety measures will have to be factored in for 2020, but as we’ve seen with Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, the East Cape Dorado Shootout and Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot–the first three fishing tournaments of the season–the fun continues, and so do the big purses.

Bisbee’s ECO set a tournament record for payouts earlier this month, becoming just the 9th fishing tournament worldwide to crack the million-dollar mark. Of course, Bisbee’s other two Los Cabos based competitions–the Black and Blue and Los Cabos Offshore–have already joined that select seven-figure company, and the Black and Blue remains the most lucrative event in fishing. Hence, its nicknames: “The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing” and “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament”.

Both take place in October. So too does the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament. In fact, it’s the LCBT that kicks off the best month of the year for big-game, big-money sport fishing in Los Cabos.

The 21st annual competition is scheduled to take place October 11th to 15th, 2020 in Cabo San Lucas; preceding the Los Cabos Offshore (October 15th to 18th) and Black and Blue (October 20th to 24th).

No, the purses aren’t Bisbee’s big…but the LCBT does have a history of handing out impressive over-sized checks. And did we mention the partying? This isn’t just a fishing competition, but a celebration of a certain kind of lifestyle.

Team El Suertudo led the way in terms of fishing in 2019 (no champ was crowned for partying), earning $117,350 of the $785,550 in total payouts as one of 51 participating teams, who together accounted for 117 billfish across two days of fishing (36 blue marlin, 73 striped marlin, 3 black marlin, and 5 sailfish).

Team El Suertudo’s winning score was 1300 points, which highlights one of the more interesting elements of the tournament: the LCBT works on a points system. Black and blue marlin, for example, must be 300 pounds to qualify, and are graded at 300 points for catch and release, or 1.5 points per pound for the two boated marlin allowable per day per team.

Marlin are the kings of the Los Cabos sport fishing scene, and marlin the determine the big money earners at the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament. A monster like the 440 black marlin caught by Team Wild Hooker last year is worth 660 points. But quantity also counts, as El Suertudo proved by catching four blue marlin, two striped marlin and a Pacific Sailfish on the second day of fishing.

However, if boated marlin fail to meet the 300-pound limit when weighed, teams can then be penalized 300 points…or more. The penalty is weighted too, you see, and assessed as 2 points for every pound under the limit. A 280-pound marlin is thus penalized at 340 points. Striped marlin, sailfish and spearfish are worth 25 points each (release only). Tuna, dorado and wahoo are eligible for select daily jackpots, provided they meet the 25-pound minimum requirement.

All teams must provide their own video cameras, synchronized to tournament time, to verify catch and releases.

Base entry is $5,000 per team (up to six anglers), or $25,000 all-in to qualify for all daily jackpots in the 2020 event. The Captains Meeting and post-tournaments Awards Gala will be hosted by Playa Grande Resort.

Other requirements? Only a desire to fish all day, party all night, and get paid for doing so.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Destination Relaxation – 3 Pampering New Luxury Spas in Los Cabos

August 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The days of Los Cabos as a simple, laid-back beach and fishing destination are long gone.

It’s not that the beaches and big-game fishing aren’t still spectacular, mind you, it’s that the better class of resorts in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have spent the last two decades adding amenity after pampering amenity in an attempt (overwhelmingly successful, by the way) to turn Los Cabos into one of the world’s great luxury destinations.

At the heart of this reimagining are incredible collections of championship level golf courses and luxurious spas. The region now boasts no less than 18 currently operating golf courses designed by legendary names like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Greg Norman, and expansive and decadent spas are now found at virtually every local upscale resort.

We’ve given plenty of updates recently on the golfing scene, but very few in regards the collection of spas. So with that in mind, here are three great new luxury spa options to enjoy on your next trip to Los Cabos:

Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

By any name, this Pedgregal property is world-class. Originally opened as Capella Pedregal in 2009, the boutique 96-r00m resort was subsequently renamed The Resort at Pedregal before taking on the Waldorf Astoria imprimatur in 2019. The latter is a virtual synonym for luxury travel, and what were already five star amenities–the longest private tunnel in Mexico, cliffside dining above crashing Pacific Ocean waves–have now been elevated to the level of must-try destination experiences.

That’s certainly the case with the Waldorf Astoria Spa, which was created by renowned spa designer Sylvia Sepelli and offers pampering treatments grouped around central themes of the moon, the sea and Mexican folk healing. For example, massages based on lunar cycles and an indigenous herbal detox using the potent properties of indigenous Baja plants.

All the traditional spa bells and whistles are also found here, however, from an upscale beauty salon and a state-of-the-art fitness center to ten private treatment rooms and tennis courts with stunning elevated Cabo San Lucas city views.

Oasis Spa at Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

This resort is the first ever luxury property on the East Cape of Los Cabos, a 70-mile belly-shaped arc that extends northward from San Jose del Cabo. For decades, the East Cape has been the last refuge for those who loved the old Baja of dirt roads and under-the-radar dive and surf spots.

That Baja still exists, but so too does a new kind of East Cape experience, an exclusive luxury hideaway on the coast at La Ribera. Relaxing couples’ treatments like side-by-side massages are a specialty of the house, offering intimacy and an enhanced state of relaxation across a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, from private rooms to plunge pools to romantic strolls through the aromatic onsite herb garden.

Like the Waldorf Astoria Spa, Oasis also offers folk rituals based on the healing properties of indigenous plants. Yoga and breath work on the beach, exfoliating treatments for face, body, hands and feet, and the full-service Rossano Ferretti salon are yet more reasons to discover this newly opened Oasis.

Esencia Wellness at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos

There was excitement aplenty about the opening of a Nobu restaurant in Los Cabos…even more when it turned out it was part of a boutique Nobu resort on the Pacific Coast north of Cabo San Lucas, in the exclusive Diamante property development.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s acclaimed fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian (and now Baja) ingredients is one reason to visit. Another is Esencia Wellness, an onsite spa that’s grounded in Japanese traditions but also promises plenty of modern refinements.

The pampering spa occupies over 13,000 square feet at Nobu, and features 13 treatment rooms, a spacious fitness center, a full-service salon, indoor hydrotherapy areas, and an outdoor hydrotherapy garden that includes steam, sauna, jacuzzi and more.

Signature offerings include Nobu Zen, a custom treatment that utilizes several techniques to alleviate stress.

The same description could just as easily be applied to Los Cabos itself. So do yourself a favor and plan a visit soon!

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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2020 Los Cabos Fishing Tournament Season Opens with a Million Dollar Bang

August 11, 2020 by Leave a Comment

There were a lot of questions surrounding the start of the 2020 fishing tournament season in Los Cabos.

But thanks to the COVID-19 protocols instituted by Bisbee’s, the granddaddy of fishing tournament organizers in Los Cabos, not only did the 2020 East Cape Offshore go off safely last weekend, it smashed several records in the process. Most notably, the $1,100,000 overall payout made the ECO the last of three Bisbee’s series tournaments to crack the million-dollar mark, and one of only nine tournaments worldwide to do so.

Held August 4th through 8th in Buenavista, off the coast of Los Cabos’ gorgeous East Cape, over 70 teams competed to bring in the biggest billfish, as well as the biggest tuna and dorado. The former feat was accomplished by Team Chachalocos, which boated a massive 704 lb. blue marlin, the largest ever caught during the 21-year history of the event.

Chalk up another record.

Team Chachalocos earned a cool $240,284 for their record breaking blue, but that wasn’t the biggest check presented during the four-day event. That honor belonged to Team True Grit, which took advantage of the lack of 300 lb. billfish qualifiers on day one to crush the doubled up jackpots on day two with a 306 lb. black marlin.

The timely catch netted them over a half a million dollars ($559,870 to be exact).

Team Fin and Tonic, meanwhile, finished first in the yellowfin tuna category, earning $82,695 for their 41.4 lb. qualifier; and Team Big Oh took home $60,170 for their first place dorado, a 39.9 pounder boated in just 15 minutes.

Face masks and social distancing were part of Bisbee’s 2020 ECO tournament safety measures in response to COVID-19 concerns (as was a limit of one team member per weigh-in), but nobody seemed to mind given the great fishing and spectacular record breaking payouts.

Less spectacular in terms of payouts, but equally noteworthy in terms of kicking off the 2020 season in style was the East Cape Dorado Shootout, which preceded Bisbee’s ECO on the calendar with some fishing tournament fireworks of its own.

Hosted July 24th in Los Barriles by Van Wormer Resorts, the 16th annual one-day dorado tournament was won by Team Offshore Lifestyles, thanks to their impressive 54.9 lb. dorado.

Offshore Lifestyles was one of 108 teams to enter the tournament this year, a slight drop from the 130 or so which usually enter (the ECDS is typically the largest local tournament in terms of team entries), but over double the amount expected given the global pandemic. Held under its own strict coronavirus safety protocols (no weigh-in crowds, no awards dinner, etc.), the tournament went off without a hitch…

Well, except for the trailer hitch on the brand new four-door Volkswagen Amarok truck awarded to the winners. In all, over $130,000 in cash and prizes were distributed.

Next up on the calendar is the East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot, to take place in the offshore waters of Los Barriles on August 22nd (like the East Cape Dorado Shootout, it’s hosted by Van Wormer Resorts’ Hotel Palmas de Cortez). The tournament promises over 100,000 in cash and prizes, as well as a brand new VW Golf to the winner.

Big money anglers, meanwhile, will want to start gearing up for Bisbee’s Black and Blue and Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore, both of which offer million-dollar plus purses this October in Cabo San Lucas.

It’s unlikely anyone tops a 704 lb. blue marlin, but we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see more payout records fall before the 2020 Bisbee’s fishing series wraps up.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit: Bisbee’s Offshore Fishing Tournaments

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Cabo, Summer Style:  Things to Do in Los Cabos This August

August 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Although there is never really a bad time to visit Los Cabos, there are certainly optimal times in regards some of the region’s signature attractions.

The sun may shine year-round, in other words, but there are still “seasons” for some of the most popular activities and adventures. Whale watching is probably the most notably example of a purely seasonal activity, since these enormous creatures for the most part can only be seen from mid-December through mid-March. But conditions for other attractions, although objectively good on a year-round basis, undeniably reach their zenith during certain calendar months.

With that in mind, here are three more reasons you should want to visit cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo this August.

Peak Season for Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Thanks to its year-round sunshine and warm water temperatures, snorkeling and diving conditions are always good in Los Cabos. That said, August and September are considered the best months, since those times traditionally offer the highest water temperatures and highest degree of visibility at local dive sites.

Have you always dreamed of exploring the underwater world off the half-mile Land’s End headland that marks the southernmost terminus of the Baja California peninsula? August is a great time to visit famed diving destinations like Pelican Rock and The Point, both of which are home to colorful seascapes teeming with life, from small fish to sea lions and much, much more.

The mecca for snorkelers and divers, however, is the marine sanctuary and national park that lies just offshore of the small East Cape community of Cabo Pulmo. Not only do these protected waters include one of North America’s oldest living coral reefs, but they also boast the highest concentrations of marine life found anywhere in the Sea of Cortez.

Peak Season for Marlin Fishing

The fish are always biting in Los Cabos, true, but which kind of fish exactly can vary from month to month and season to season.

The region’s most high-profile fishing targets for visiting anglers, for example, are billfish like blue and black marlin. These two species provide the namesake title for Bisbee’s annual Black & Blue Tournament, famed for its multi-million dollar payouts to winning teams (hence its nicknames: “The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing” and “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament”).

Bisbee’s Black and Blue and Los Cabos Offshore Tournaments are held in October, but its East Cape Offshore takes place in August. As a matter of fact, it starts today. The reason being that peak fishing season for blue and black marlin extends from July through the end of October.

But you don’t have to enter a tournament to fish for an enormous marlin. All you have to do is charter a boat.

August is also one of the best times all year to bag a dorado. This fish is known by many names. On the East Coast of the U.S. it’s typically referred to as dolphinfish, on the West Coast as mahi. By any name it’s absolutely delicious, and virtually every restaurant in Los Cabos offers “you hook it, we cook it” specials when you bring in your own fresh catch of the day.

Surfing Season on the Sea of Cortez

The long-held wisdom in Los Cabos is that you surf the Sea of Cortez side during the summer months, the Pacific Ocean side during the winter months.

Certainly, the best time to visit famed Sea of Cortez side breaks like Zippers, Old Man’s and Monuments is during summer months like August. The former was for several years the site of the World Surf League sanctioned Los Cabos Open of Surf, but all three have been drawing destination wave riders for decades.

Zippers is not only a perennially popular surf spot, but the beach where it is found–Playa Costa Azul, in San Jose del Cabo–actually boasts two other notable surf breaks: La Roca (or The Rock) and The Middle. The latter is one of the best beginner-friendly breaks in the region (High Tide Los Cabos offers lessons here), while La Roca is best left to the experts. Old Man’s, AKA Playa Acapulquito, offers something in-between in terms of skill level, as well as the option of boutique accommodations at the nearby Cabo Surf Hotel.

Monuments, meanwhile, is famed locally for several reasons. It’s the only surf break in the region that features Land’s End views. It’s also the most notable “left hand” surf break in Los Cabos, and the beach from which it is accessed has recently been upgraded to Blue Flag status for services and sustainability by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Blue Sky Cabo

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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