Fishing Takes Center Stage: October Events in Los Cabos

October is a big month in Los Cabos. Not only does it signal the traditional start of high-tourist season, but the start of high fishing season as well. Three of Cabo San Lucas’ biggest fishing tournaments take place in October, including the biggest of them all: Bisbee’s Black & Blue. High stakes and huge payouts are the norm in October, a tradition that also can be seen on Los Cabos’ picturesque East Cape, which is home to a high-powered tuna shootout.

Cabo San Lucas also hosts visitors from around the globe in October for Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina. The Red Rocker is the celebrity most associated with the Land’s End city, but many more join him for this annual series of concerts at the iconic downtown nightclub.

Sammy Hagar’s 72nd Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Every year since 1990, loyal “Redheads” from around the world have flocked to Cabo San Lucas for Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina. In 2019, the former Van Halen and Montrose celebrates his 72nd year on the planet with an all-star cast of visiting musicians, including The Circle members Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson. Shows are scheduled for October 9, 11 and 13. General admission tickets are available to winners of a random drawing, but those who aren’t selected will still have an opportunity to attend. Some dinner show tickets will be made available in early October on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 13 – 17

Just as September is El Mes de la Patria, the “the country’s month,” in México, October is the month of the fishing tournament in Cabo San Lucas. Bisbee’s two cash-rich tournaments–the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue–get most of the publicity, but the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament also sends out a siren call to big-game fishermen eager for big-money prizes and jackpots. The three tournaments combined last year to pay out over $5,500,925. The 21st annual LCBT has three entry levels: a $5,000 base entry for each 6-person team; daily jackpots for the largest tuna, wahoo and dorado; and daily billfish release jackpots. Optional marlin only jackpots are available to teams that paid base entry (this year with two levels). Registration and the post-tournament gala awards ceremony will both be hosted by Playa Grande, a Solmar Group resort.

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – October 17 – 20

Commonly known as “Little Bisbee’s,” to differentiate it from the “Big Bisbee’s” Black & Blue marlin fishing tournament that also takes place each October in Los Cabos, the Los Cabos Offshore dates back to 2002, and is considered a more laid-back, charity focused endeavor than the Black & Blue. That said, The LCO joined rarified company last year when its overall payouts exceeded one million dollars ($1,165,000 to be exact), making it one of the very few tournaments ever to reach that elite benchmark. Cash prizes are awarded to the teams with the three biggest qualifying fish in the game and billfish categories at the LCO, with thousands of meals donated to local families in need. Base entry for teams is $1,500 U.S., with $17,000 necessary for “across the board” entry in all jackpots and challenges.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – October 22 – 26

Oft billed as “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament,” thanks to its million dollar payouts, this marlin fishing tournament originally premiered in 1981, and remains to this day the highest profile annual event in Los Cabos. The $4,165, overall payout in 2006 was and still is the largest in sportfishing history, although last year’s winners took home a more than respectable $3,004,900 out of an available purse of 3,693,625. Base entry for this millionaire maker is $5,000 U.S. per team, and requires a $71,500 U.S. outlay across all categories, jackpots and challenges. Prizes are awarded for the top five catches of black and blue marlin, assuming they meet the minimum standards (300 lbs.).

Van Wormer Resort Tuna Shootout – Oct. 26

One-day fishing shootouts are a tradition on the East Cape, at least where Van Wormer Resorts are concerned. Van Wormer hosts a dorado shootout each July in which the winner takes home a new car (or in 2019, a Volkswagen Amarok pickup track). The winners of the October tuna shootout, the 7th edition of which takes place Oct. 26, won’t get anything nearly as flashy as that. Just cold hard cash. The largest tuna caught on the day in question will earn one lucky team of anglers approximately $35,000. Base entry is only $500 and in addition to participation covers dinner at the awards ceremony at Hotel Palmas de Cortez in Los Barriles. Second and third place will also share in the over $100,000 in total payouts, with jackpots and raffle and drawing prizes also up for grabs.

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

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 13 – 17

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament – Oct. 17 – 20

Traditional Fiestas in Cabo San Lucas – Oct. 17 – 20

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament – Oct. 22 – 26

Los Cabos Tattoo Fest – Oct. 25 – 27

Van Wormer Resort Tuna Shoot Out – Oct. 26

Halloween – Oct 31

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Nov. 1 – 2

Pelagic Rock Star Tuna Tournament – Nov. 1 – 3

Ironman Los Cabos 70.3 Half-Triathlon – Nov. 3

21st WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 6 – 9

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 13 – 17

52nd Annual Baja 1000 – Nov. 19 – 24

Sabor a Cabo International Food & Wine Festival – Nov. 30

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26

Dressed to the K9s Charity Gala – Date Not Yet Announced

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 12 – 16

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 15 – 19

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

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Dates Not Yet Announced

21st Annual Baja Hog Rally – Dates Not Yet Announced

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25