Bisbee's News

The Bisbee Team, fueled by the success of the East Cape Offshore in August at East Cape, was brimming with anticipation for the upcoming 24^th annual LCO in Los Cabos.

Recent fishing reports favored Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna over 100 pounds, and Billfish, Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin, all targeted species in the event.

On Tuesday, pre-registration was set up to accommodate Teams, who preferred to avoid the long lines expected on the official opening day on Wednesday.  

By the end of Tuesday, a total of 39 Teams had wisely taken advantage of the pre-registration, avoiding the expected long lines on the official opening day on Wednesday.

Sponsor booths dotted the Mall walkway, filled with a variety of items and information from various sponsors and other vendors.

One of the newest sponsors is Stainless Steel Exhaust Components, Engineered to Be Better. Steve Wilkerson, CEO of HDI MARINE, tells a bit about how he got started: “When my Yanmar Iron Elbow failed, I was shocked at the replacement cost and the fact they were still made from cast iron.

As most boat owners worldwide know, salt water, heat, and cast iron don’t work well together. The investment cast process allows for uniform wall thickness and great surface finishes inside and out. When I realized I could fix this problem for me and other boat owners, I couldn’t help but try. I am a manufacturing engineer specializing in castings for over 25 years. I started making stainless steel mixing elbows, installing my first one into my 4LH-STE in 2005. It still looks great inside and out nine years later. These parts are guaranteed for two years but should last for a lifetime.

Our product line has grown only from people asking me to make a component for their engine. Designing molds is a passion of mine, and I take pride in the design and quality of our products. You will see and feel the quality of our products when you receive them.”

Throughout the day, the four-member teams checked in and received their Team bags, thoughtfully filled with Bisbee Face Towels, Caps, Note Pads, pens, Bisbee T-shirts, HDMI/Bisbee First aid Kits, and Jimme Jacks Lodge Brochures, a testament to the event's thorough preparation and the value provided to the participants.

Throughout the afternoon, more and more teams arrived to check in while fine-tuning the category list they wanted to compete in.

Bisbee's favorite Cabo Max arrived, and The Puerto Paraiso Shopping Mall Plaza began to rock, much to the delight of everyone within listening range. Teams intermingled, guardedly exchanging local fishing conditions and prospects.

Later, when the final team was entered, Wayne Bisbee and Clicerio Mercado took the stage, carefully covering and reviewing the rules in Spanish and English, emphasizing the new maximum quota of ten releases of stripers. The teams then fielded questions about the rules' meaning, and Bisbee and Clicerio clarified them.

The following morning, the weather was ideal for a great LCO Day One beginning!

The start, signaled by air horn instead of flare guns, went off without a hitch. However, it was apparent the area of choice was the Sea of Cortez, not north up into the Pacific, as the photo indicates.

According to Axel Valdez, it was one of the busiest days he and Jill Christiansen had ever had. The radio calls normally filled four pages on a busy day, but they filled EIGHT pages on the first day.

By the end of the day at lines out, the number of fish landed included the following.

Species                      Count
Black Marlin                       7
Blue Marlin                       31
Striped Marlin                167
Dolphin                             1
Sailfish                              1
Spearfish                           1
Yellowfin Tuna                    4

Catch Count                   224

BILLFISH LANDED

Photo
One Los Compadres, Alberto Araiza, Black Marlin - 111in X 60in 467-pounds

Photo
Two Bandito, Karma Sportfishing, Joshua Kusak, Blue Marlin     401-pounds

Base Entry Heaviest Tuna

Photo

One Estrella de Norte, Roberto Carlos, Beltran Rodriguez, Yellowfin Tuna 132-pounds

Two Mark and The Boys, Juan Carlos Martinez, Yellowfin Tuna 105-pounds

Three Team Crazy Bout it, Joseph Keller, Yellowfin Tuna     

102.6-pounds                  

Base Entry Heaviest Dorado

One True Grit    Luis Liera   Dorado        30.1-pounds