November 3, 2009 — by Dave Lear
Billfish anglers are a resilient bunch and that tenacity certainly proved useful as the 2009 Bisbee’s Baja tournament series concluded last month. With the threat of a major hurricane coupled with a challenging economy forcing cancellations, the 8th Annual Los Cabos Offshore Tournament and the 29th Annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament were still successful on several levels.
One-hundred fifty-one teams representing numerous countries competed in the two events, held in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, from October 16-24. A total of $2,165,675 in overall prize money was up for grabs. Participants caught 112 billfish during the two segments with the vast majority being successfully released.
“The Los Cabos tourney once again served as a great warm-up for the Black & Blue,” said tournament director Wayne Bisbee. “We had 438- and 391-pound blue s come in along with several quality tuna. Hurricane Rick messed up our best-laid plans for the Black & Blue, forcing dozens of boats to cancel. Still, we were able to fish 3 days and two qualifying marlin, including a 391 blue, were brought to the scales. The teams saw a lot of action and everyone had a good time. And I’ve already placed my order for calm weather and a grander or two when we celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2010. We fully expect to be back up to  our normal field of 150-plus boats.”
The 2010 Bisbee's Baja circuit kicks off July 27-31 in East Cape. The Los Cabos Offshore Tournament will be held October 15-17, followed by the Black & Blue October 19-23. Entering its 30th season, the Black & Blue is the richest fishing tournament in the world. To date, more than $40 million has been awarded to contestants participating in Bisbee's events.
Seven teams have won over a million dollars since 2003, including the world's largest single team payout of $3,902,998 in 2006.
For complete tournament results visit www.Bisbees.com, where you can also view our Photo Galleries.
Media Photos can be downloaded from the web as follows.
Credit Dave Lear, Silver King Communications
Las Mananitas - 1st Place Marlin at the Scales
Las Mananitas - 1st Place Marlin at the Awards
The Bottom Line - 2nd Place Marlin at the Scales
Spartacus at Sea - Top Tuna
Mi Novia - 1st Place Marlin at the Scales (1)
Mi Novia - 1st Place Marlin at the Scales (2)
Mi Novia - 1st Place Marlin at the Awards
Team "Ten Brothers" fishing on Extraction - 2nd Place Marlin at the Scales
Team "Ten Brothers" fishing on Extraction - 2nd Place Marlin at the Awards (1)
Team "Ten Brothers" fishing on Extraction - 2nd Place Marlin at the Awards (2)
Team "Lucky Ducks" fishing on Ole Ole - 1st Place Release Team
Carpe Diem - 2nd Place Release Team
Reata del Mar - 3rd Place Release Team
The Bottom Line goes down in the Sea of Cortez (1)
The Bottom Line goes down in the Sea of Cortez (2)
The Bottom Line goes down in the Sea of Cortez (3)
The Bottom Line goes down in the Sea of Cortez (4)
The Bottom Line goes down in the Sea of Cortez (5)
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