The Reel Deal: Previewing Summer Fishing Tournaments in Los Cabos

The 2020 fishing tournament season was a remarkable one in Los Cabos, smashing records left and right despite the uncertainty which surrounded its start.

Some tournaments, particularly the early summer events which traditionally kick off the season, were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to the extent that they had to be canceled/delayed until 2021.

But most went off without a hitch – from both a safety and a competitive standpoint – and as mentioned earlier, many (including Bisbee’s trio of tournaments) broke long-held records for both turnouts and payouts.

So what can anglers expect for summer 2021? Great fishing, for starters. All the major tournaments return this year, including the few (most notably, Pelagic’s Triple Crown of Fishing, Stars and Stripes, and the Ladies Only Tournament in Los Barriles) that were canceled in 2020.

Will more records be broken? Bet on it.

Here’s the way the summer schedule looks right now, with all the info we currently have on registration and potential prize money and payouts.

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament/Cabo Summer Slam – June 10 to 12

Bisbee’s isn’t the only organizer of big money fishing tournaments in Los Cabos. Water sports apparel maker non pareil Pelagic returns to host its 8th annual Summer Slam this June, with teams targeting black, blue and striped marlin, as well as tuna, wahoo and dorado. The 2020 tournament was canceled because of quarantine conditions in Los Cabos, but the 2021 event is on schedule and recently opened up registration. Base entry is $3,000 per team, with $19,000 across-the-board for all jackpots and challenges. Prize money is tied to the number of teams entered, of course, but a reasonable expectation relative to past tournaments would be in the $250,000 to 300,000 overall range.

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 23 to 27

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. Last year’s tournament was canceled, and only the dates have been released for 2021: meaning there’s no word as yet on this year’s headliner. Expect a big name, though. Sammy Hagar and Cheap Trick have performed in recent years.

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 17

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 2021 Volkswagen 4×4 Amarok pickup truck, of course. The rules are simple, catch the biggest dorado on July 17th 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 jackpot prizes here typically average $130,000.

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – July 22 to 26

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 iteration of this tournament was held in 2019 – and was a rousing success – with the second annual version delayed until 2021 due to Covid-19 concerns in 2020. 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 on Saturday, July 24th.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 3 to 7

The East Cape Offshore kicks off Bisbee’s 2021 series starting August 3rd. 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 Beach Resort. Base entry for the event is $1500 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, 2021 for the ECO). The earlier you enter the more chances you have to win, as for each month prior to the deadline that you enter, you will receive an additional chip in the drawing. For example, if you enter three months prior you will receive three chips in the drawing. The free entry is good for the following year only and is non-transferable.

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Tournament – August 21

Similar to the East Cape Dorado Shootout with its drive-away first prize, the biggest wahoo caught on August 21st will earn one lucky fisherman a showroom fresh 2021 Volkswagen Golf and a Suzuki 140 horsepower four-stroke outboard engine. In total, over $100,000 in cash and prizes are expected to be 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.

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:  Palmas de Cortez

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Día de los Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

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

Twin Dolphin ProAm Golf Tournament – Jan. 9 – 12

Cabo del Sol ProAm Golf Tournament – Jan. 10 – 14

 February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. 28 – Mar. 2

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. – Mar. 2

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26

Semana Santa – Mar. 28. – Apr. 3

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23

 May

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 6, 13, 20, 27

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – May 7, 14, 21, 28

 June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 3, 10, 17, 24

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jun. 4, 11, 18, 25

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

 July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

 August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

 September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 14 – 17

Bisbee’s Black and Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 19 – 23

November

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

December

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

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31