Bisbee Black & Blue Marlin Tournament

Bisbee Black & Blue Marlin Tournament

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 $1 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 $15,000.

Prizes are awarded to those who haul in the greatest size and quantity of blue and black marlins during the three-day tournament. In 2003, the prize for a 565-pound blue marlin was a record-breaking $1,165,230. Marlins under 500 pounds aren't even counted; the largest single catch ever weighed in at 1,080 pounds. Even with state-of-the-art equipment and perfect techniques, each marlin takes at least two hours to reel in. The especially large and feisty ones have had crews struggling for up to eight hours. Once caught, the marlins are either released or donated to onlookers at the dock.