The calendar window for Cabo San Lucas’ fishing tournament season comprises only about six months–
from mid-June through mid-November–but like the area’s spectacular big-game fishing itself, the tournament news breaks all year-round.
Bisbee’s, the organizer of Cabo’s most famous trio fishing tournaments, has announced its schedule for 2019, as well as some changes aimed to maximize fun, fishing and efficiency at one particular event.
But first, the most important information. Bisbee’s schedule for 2019 is as follows: the East Cape Offshore kick-starts the season August 1st to 4th; the charity focused Los Cabos Offshore takes place October 17th to 20th; and the big daddy of them all, the millionaire making Black & Blue, is scheduled for October 22nd to 26th.
Experienced tournament anglers will also be interested in the early bird registration deadlines, since those who make this registration cut are entered in a drawing to win free entry in the following year’s tournament. The early bird deadline for the 2019 ECO is June 30th; for the LCO and B&B, August 31.
The first tournament up, this season as always, is the East Cape Offshore in August. The ECO sees the only changes Bisbee’s has so far announced for this year’s tournaments, with only two days of fishing rather than the traditional three. The change was made to drive participation (and thus prize money), as well as making the tournament trip easier for Cabo San Lucas based boats, as the latter now shouldn’t have to refuel before heading home. Since the schedule says Aug. 1 – 4, that means the first day is dedicated to registration, then two days of solid fishing before the awards ceremony on the final day.
Everything else about the ECO remains basically the same. 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 an across-the-board ante of $22,500 to qualify for all daily jackpots. Prize money is based on entry fees received, with 60% going to the billfish winners, and 20% each to top tuna and dorado anglers.
As for what’s at stake, last year’s ECO saw the record set for most prize money in the history of the tournament ($657,125), as well as a record tying 11 teams sharing in the prize payouts.
The Los Cabos Offshore returns October 17th, and kicks off the biggest nine days of the year on the Cabo San Lucas sporting calendar. Long known as “Little Bisbee’s” to differentiate it from the Black & Blue, or “Big Bisbee’s”, the LCO really isn’t so little anymore. The 2018 edition saw a record prize money payout of $1,165,000, making it the 8th fishing tournament in the world to top the million mark. The charity focused tournament also lived up to its billing in that regard, donating over a ton of fish caught during the four-day event, or an estimated 8,607 meals to local families. Registration remains $1,500 base entry, $22,500 across-the-board.
This year’s Black & Blue is slated to take place October 22nd to 26th, with registration on the first day, an awards ceremony on the last, and three days of fishing in between. Those visiting the Land’s End city during the event can watch daily drama as fish are weighed on the marina boardwalk in front of Puerto Paraiso. The drama is a little more intense, however, if you happen to be the one who caught the fish! Registration remains $5,000 per team, or $71,500 across the board for all jackpots and challenges.
The 2018 B&B saw a San Diego angler named Charlie Lee and his Chinito Bonito team earn a ridiculous $3,004,900 for hooking a 510 lb. black marlin. It was the second largest payout in big-game sportfishing history.
Of course, that’s why they call the Black & Blue “the world’s richest fishing tournament.”
Staggering as it seems, 2019 looks to be even better, and should break records all over again.
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 Event Calendar
January 2019
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6
Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 10 – 20
Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18
La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 16 – 20
February
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 2 – 9
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28
Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 9 – 10
Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14
San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 15 – 16
20th Baja Hog Rally – Feb. 20 – 24
Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5
March
Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5
Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – March 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 6, 13, 20, 27
Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 8 – 10, 13 – 16
Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Yet to Be Determined
End of Whale Watching Season – March 15
East Cape Arts Festival – March 17
Todos Santos Film Festival – Dates Yet to Be Determined
7th Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Grand Los Cabos – Dates Yet to Be Determined
April
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – April 4, 11, 18, 25
NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 26 – May 3
Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament – Dates Yet to Be Determined
Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Dates Yet to Be Determined
May
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
La Paz Foundation Festival – Dates Yet to Be Determined
El Dia de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival in Todos Santos – May 17 – 19
June
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 6, 13, 20, 27
Cabo Summer Slam Fishing Tournament – Dates Yet to Be Determined
Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 16
Fiesta de la Musica in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Yet to Be Determined
Stars & Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 27 – 30
July
Mifel Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 29 – Aug. 3
August
Mifel Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 29 – Aug. 3
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament – Aug. 1 – 4
September
Día de la Independencia (Mexican Independence Day) – Sep. 16
October
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament – Oct. 17 – 20
Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament – Oct. 22 – 26
November
21s WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 6 – 9
52nd Annual Baja 1000 – Nov. 19 – 24
December
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
Please let me know what you think about this!