Fishing for Dollars

Fishing for Dollars

The busiest time in Los Cabos is neither Christmas nor spring break but rather the last week of October—when the world's most prestigious marlin fishing tournament, the Bisbee Black & Blue Jackpot Marlin Tournament, takes place. More than 200 boat crews come from around the world in attempts to claim prizes totaling more than $4 million. Boats range from 28-foot skiffs to 100-foot (and larger) yachts. The only qualification necessary is the entry fee, which is more than $70,000 to be all in, meaning to be participating in each of the many levels of the jackpot configurations.

Prizes are awarded to those who haul in the greatest size and quantity of blue and black marlin during the three-day tournament. In 2003 the prize for a 565-pound blue marlin was a record-breaking $1,165,230. Marlin under 300 pounds don't qualify; the largest single catch in Cabo San Lucas waters (but not during the Bisbee tournament) weighed in at 1,080 pounds. Even with state-of-the-art equipment and perfect techniques, marlin can require hours to reel in. The especially large and feisty ones have had crews struggling for up to eight hours. One Bisbee tournament-winning marlin fought for more than 21 hours before being boated. Once caught, the marlin are either released or the meat donated to local Los Cabos charities.