For as long as there have been tourists coming to Los Cabos, Fishing has been one of the chief 
attractions.
Each year the allure gets a little stronger, in fact, as new regional fishing tournaments appear, and the established ones up their prize money to stay competitive. Bisbee’s Black & Blue in October is the most famous of the local competitions thanks to its multi-million dollar purses, but that legendary event comes near the end of the tournament season in Los Cabos.
The season actually starts in June, with the half-dozen summer tournaments of note allowing motivated anglers the chance to warm up before the potentially ultra-lucrative autumn tournaments roll around.
Don’t be fooled, however. The summer tournaments offer sizeable cash payouts and prizes as well. With that in mind, here are the highlights of the fishing tournament calendar for summer 2020:
7th Annual Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament/Cabo Summer Slam – June 11 – 13
Bisbee’s isn’t the only organizer of big money fishing tournaments in Los Cabos. Water sports apparel maker non pareil Pelagic hosts its 7th annual Summer Slam this June, inviting anglers to compete for over 350,000 in prize money. After a shotgun start in front of Land’s End, teams compete to haul in trophy size marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado and wahoo during the multi-day tournament. Base entry is $$3,500 per team, or $19,500 across-the-board for all jackpots and prizes.
24th Annual Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 24 – 28
During the 20+ years of its existence, the annual Stars and Stripes’ golf and fishing tournament has raised over 36 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 sportfishing 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 (this year’s headliner is legendary rock band Cheap Trick).
16th Annual East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 18
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 2020 Volkswagen 4×4 Amarok pickup truck, of course. The rules are simple, catch the biggest dorado on July 18th 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 a combined $200,000 in cash and prizes given away.
21st Annual Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 4 – 8
The East Cape Offshore is the first of three Bisbee’s fishing tournaments that take place in Baja California Sur each year. The ECO is always first, and kicks off Bisbee’s 2020 series starting August 1st. 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. Base entry for the event is $1500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots ($22,500 “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. Team El Suertudo took home the largest payout in tournament history in 2019, earning a healthy $619,800 for a 381 lb. blue marlin.
4th Annual East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Tournament – August 22
Similar to the East Cape Dorado Shootout with its drive-away first prize, the biggest wahoo caught on August 22nd will earn one lucky fisherman a showroom fresh 2020 Volkswagen Golf and a Suzuki 140 horsepower four-stroke engine. In total, over $100,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs, including great raffle prizes, return trips, fishing outings, and much more. The entry fee is only $500 per team and includes dinner at the awards ceremony.
Fishing widows needn’t feel left out, by the way. In fact, they’re eligible for a tournament the men aren’t. That would be the Ladies Only Fishing Tournament hosted by the Hotel Palmas de Cortez in Los Barriles, the 2nd edition of which takes place July 23rd to 27th, with a return trip on the line for the winning team.
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
February
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 7 – 9
Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9
Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17
San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 14 – 15
Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15
Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25
March
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26
Baja Shakespeare Festival – Mar. 6 – 8, 11 – 14
Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8
East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15
Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15
Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29
April
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11
NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24
Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3
Gala de Danza at Viceroy Los Cabos – Dates Not Yet Announced
May
Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3
485th Foundation Festival in La Paz – May 3 – 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 7, 14, 21, 28
El Dia de la Madre – May 10
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
White Party at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced
June
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 4, 11, 18, 25
7th Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament – June 11 – 13
Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced
Fiesta de la Musica in San Jose del Cabo – June 20
24th Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 24 – 28
July
Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced
East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 18
Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25
Ladies Only Fishing Tournament in Los Barriles – July 23 – 27
Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced
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
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
Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 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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