This year’s Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament, also presented by Snell Real Estate, finished on August 6th with a record 56 boats competing for $243,060.00 in total prize money.

Although there were over a hundred billfish caught and released, it took until the third and final day to land a marlin exceeding the event’s 300 lb. minimum weight limit. The 344 lb. blue marlin was caught by lady angler Charlene Sanford fishing with her husband Adam onboard their 35' Scopinich Adam's Folly.

The Sanfords are from Colts Head, New Jersey, and reside in the East Cape for a good part of each year. They earned a total of $224,244.00 for their fish, and it was the event's only qualifying marlin.

This is the largest individual payout by far in East Cape tournament fishing history. "We fished tournaments from New Jersey to St. Thomas to Isla Mujeres for 30 years, and took a 10-year break from the tournament circuit in 1994" said the Sanfords. "This is a fantastic way to break back into the tournament scene and we’ll be back next year!" they continued. Their Captain Gaspar Macklish Marron is from La Ribera, BCS, Mexico.

In addition to billfish, the tournament format also pays awards for the largest dorado and tuna landed. The Dorado award went to Que Sera where angler Cliff Wilson from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico caught a 53 lb. dorado while fishing with teammates Dennis Rahlves from Carefree, Arizona and Brad Curtis from NSW Australia. The boat captain was Buenavista local J. Mike Deane.

The largest tuna landed was 48.5 lbs. and was caught by Bodo Meschkat onboard the Dusty B III, captained by Vicente Cosio Cota from Buenavista, BCS Mexico. Anglers on the team were Togo Hazard and Derek Tresize from San Diego, CA and Esaul Valdez from Buenavista, BCS, Mexico. Each team earned $9,408.00 for their winning fish.

The cumulative number of billfish released for the tournament was 116. This consisted of 64 striped marlin, 24 blue marlin, and 28 sailfish.

The top three release teams were:

1st Place Release Team
Dos Amigos - Captain Jesus Soto Ruelas from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. The team released 3 blue marlin, 2 striped marlin and 1 sailfish. The anglers were: Robert Chatham from Carmel, CA., Jesus Soto Ruelas, Lyle Older, Luis Naffarante, Julio Caesar Angulo and Jim Moodenbaugh all from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.

2nd Place Release Team
The Bottom Line- Captain Thomas "T.J." Dobson from Cabo San Lucas, BCS Mexico. The team released 1 blue marlin, 4 striped marlin and 2 sailfish. The anglers were Michael and Caren Menas from Lake Zurich, IL, and Ruben Talacios and Carmelo Navarrete both from Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico.

3rd Place Release Team
Sneak Attack - Captain Sam Talbert from Vero Beach, FL. The team released 2 blue marlin and 1 striped marlin. The anglers were Dan, Dave and Elijah Rosenthal and Bobby Dobson from Oxnard, CA.

The weather and sea conditions throughout the event were absolutely beautiful. The awards banquet was held on the beach at water's edge directly in front of the Buenavista Beach Resort – all in all an incredible ending to an unforgettable week!

The tournament's hosts, Buenavista Beach Resort owners Mr. & Mrs. Jesus "Chuy" Valdez, and their sons Esaul, Axel and Felipe punctuated the weeks enjoyment by providing their fabulaous service and accommodations at their beautiful hotel, where everyone always feels at home. As the sun set during the awards ceremony, the tiki torches were lit, the record amount of cash awards were presented and great food and plentiful drink was had by all. As the evening went on, it was said by many that they'd be back next year with even more fellow anglers in tow.