Los Cabos fishing tournament season got off to a roaring start last week, and if the results from the opening event, the Pelagic Triple Crown of 
Fishing, signify anything, it’s that the 2022 season is going to be both lucrative and a whole lot of fun.
For starters, to say the fish were biting is a bit of an understatement. The winning team, Stella June, caught and released a whopping 38 marlin in just two days of fishing. The second place team, Cloud Nine, was right behind them with 36. These two teams also took the lion’s share of the prize money, naturally, with Stella June earning $153,336 dollars for a weekend of incredible fishing, and Cloud Nine cashing an oversized check for $136,760 dollars.
The total teams entered were down this year from last – 37 rather than the 50 in 2021 – but the money was up and so were the catch tallies. Both Stella June and Cloud Nine earned more money that last year’s winner, Laguna Madre ($131,000), and the tournament as a whole saw close to 500,000 in prize money distributed, the total boosted by the new $72,500 across-the-board jackpot entry fees. Even more impressive, perhaps, were the 304 marlin caught in just two days by the 37 teams, including a few that topped 500 pounds.
The Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing is about more than just marlin, however, with impressive checks also handed out to winners in the tuna, dorado and wahoo divisions. Team Let’s Go took the top tuna prize – $52,868 dollars – for a 226 pounder, while Pisces won upwards of 20 grand ($20,668, to be exact) for a 56.3 pound dorado (aka mahi mahi), and Captiva earned $27,468 for a 42.9 pound wahoo.
Next up on the summer fishing tournament calendar:
Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 22 – 26
During the 20+ years of its existence, the annual Stars and Stripes’ golf and fishing tournament has raised over 40 million dollars for youth focused charities. But it’s not simply a tournament or a charity benefit…more like a complete lifestyle experience. Participants stay at the luxurious Hilton Los Cabos; go big-game sport fishing for dorado, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, swordfish, and black, blue and striped marlin; play golf at some of the world’s best golf courses; and enjoy spectacular live entertainment nightly. There’s no word as yet on this year’s headliner. Expect a big name, though. Sammy Hagar and other rock star royalty have performed in recent years.
East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 16
This is one of the largest fishing tournaments in Southern Baja, with an average turnout of 130 teams each year. What makes it so popular? The opportunity to win a brand new, fully-loaded 2022 Volkswagen 4×4 Amarok pickup truck, of course. The rules are simple, catch the biggest dorado on July 16th and you win the truck. There will also be great prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, as well as for the largest tuna and largest wahoo caught that day. The beauty of this one-day tournament format is that anyone can win. After the tournament, Palmas De Cortez in Los Barriles will host the award ceremony, which is unlike any in Baja, with dinner, music, a raffle, and more. The combined cash and prizes here are expected to top $200,000 in 2022.
Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – July 20 – 24
The name doesn’t lie. Only lady anglers are eligible to participate (in teams of up to four) in this two-day fishing tournament hosted by Palmas de Cortez…although captains and deckhands can be men. The first version of this tournament was held in 2019 – and was a rousing success, as was the second iteration in 2021. The entry fee is $200 per team, with points awarded according to the species of fish reeled in. Billfish (200 pts.) and roosterfish (100 pts.) are catch and release, with photo verification. Tuna, wahoo, dorado, amberjack and jack crevalle are all worth 100 points, assuming they meet minimum weight standards. The winning team nets a return trip for the entire team, including a four nights accommodation package at Palmas de Cortez, with two days of standard cruiser fishing. Prizes for the runner-up teams (2nd and 3rd place) will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 2 – 6
The East Cape Offshore is always first, and kicks off Bisbee’s 2022 series starting August 2nd. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three qualifiers in marlin, tuna and dorado categories, with the awards celebration taking place afterwards at the Hotel Buena Vista. In 2021, a record 97 teams competed for $1,582,975. The 97 teams beat the previous year’s record of 72 by 25, while the ECO topped the previous year’s record payout by nearly half a million dollars. Base entry for the event is $1,500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots ($32,000 “across the board”). Prize money is based on entry fees received, with 60% going to the billfish winners, and 20% each to top tuna and dorado anglers. For first-timers, each tournament in the Bisbee’s series has an Early Bird Drawing. The winner of the drawing gets a free entry to the following year’s tournament. To be eligible the paid entry (base entry only) must be received by the Early Bird Deadline (June 30th, 2022 for the ECO).
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: Pelagic Gear
Upcoming Events Calendar
June
Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 2 – 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Todos Santos + Pescadero Culinary Experiences – June 3 – 5
Gay Pride Parade – June 19
Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – Jun. 22 – 26
July
East Cape Dorado Shoot Out – Jul. 16
Ladies Only Fishing Tournament – Jul. 20 – 24
August
Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 2 – 6
East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20
September
Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16
October
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 20 – 23
Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29
November
Day of the Dead – Nov. 2
WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24
Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8
IRONMAN Los Cabos 70.3 – Nov. 6
SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20
Revolution Day – Nov. 20
December
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12
Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15
Nochebuena – Dec. 24
Navidad – Dec. 25
Nochevieja – Dec. 31
