Despite the pandemic, 2020 proved to be a banner year for Los Cabos fishing tournaments, with huge turnouts and record-breaking prize money.
Destination anglers can expect more of the same in 2021.
Almost all of the dates for the major regional tournaments have now been released, so we’ll catch you up on that, as well as providing the latest info on registration and early bird discounts.
Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament/Cabo Summer Slam – June 10th to 12th
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. The 2020 tournament was cancelled because of quarantine conditions in Los Cabos, and only dates have been releases so far for the 2021 event. But based on previous editions of the tournament, expect a shotgun start in front of Land’s End, with teams competing to haul in trophy size marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado and wahoo during the multi-day tournament. Last time the tournament was held, base entry was $3,500 per team, with $19,500 acr0ss-the-board for all jackpots and challenges. We’d expect prize money to easily exceed $300,000 overall.
Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 23rd to 27th
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 cancelled, 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 17th
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.
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 3rd to 7th
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. 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 6 months prior you will receive six 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 21st
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.
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – October 14th to 17th
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. Cash prizes are awarded to the teams with the three biggest qualifying fish in the game and billfish categories at the LCO, and large amounts of fish/meals are always donated to local families in need. Base entry for teams is $1,500 U.S., with $22,500 necessary for “across the board” entry in all jackpots and challenges. The Early Bird Deadline for the LCO this year is August 31st.
Bisbee’s Black & Blue – October 19th to 23rd
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. 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.). Early Bird Deadline this year, as for the LCO, is August 31st.
WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament – Nov. 3rd to 6th
The Western Outdoor News has a long history with Los Cabos, dating back to the 1950s, when Baja columnist Ray Cannon’s rave fishing reviews helped put the area on the destination travel map. The WON Tuna Jackpot is one of the larger fishing tournaments in Cabo San Lucas, a fixture of the autumn sporting calendar that follows hard on the heels of the Los Cabos Billfish and Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue Tournaments. 149 teams made it to Cabo San Lucas for the 22nd annual event in 2020, competing for record cash payouts of over one million dollars ($1,035,700 to be exact). Entry forms ($1000 base entry) are already out on their website for the 2021 tournament.
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: WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot
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
Please let me know what you think about this!