The Latest Catch

Long after lines out, Team Stella June arrived with a black marlin that was the first qualifying billfish to be brought to the scale during the first two days of competition. The usual debate, "Would it qualify?" ricocheted through the enormous crowd of spectators. The noisy debate continued as the scale was zeroed, and the giant fish was hoisted up. Seconds went by as the numbers settled on the scale and stopped. "THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE POUNDS," Wayne Bisbee declared.

Ninety-seven boats crossed the starting line determinedly – with a plan. Although, admittedly, some looked like they had no "plan" in mind!

Some teams targeted a single species, billfish, dorado, or yellowfin tuna.

Those Teams targeting billfish complained that they found the dorado to be a nuisance. However, most billfish hooked did not meet the Tournament's minimum weight of 300-pounds, so they were released.

The 2022 Bisbee's East Cape Offshore edition begins with 97 teams who, for the third year in a row, are vying for another RECORD-BREAKING TOTAL of $1,614,425, according to the final numbers listed in CatchStat.  Anglers from Cabo to La Paz share optimism after the positive results of several successful events for specific species kicking off this season in Baja.

For the 20th time in the 41-year history of the BLACK and BLUE, a ONE MILLION DOLLAR check was presented to the tournament winner!

Team BRANIFF, a FIRST-TIME WINNER aboard a Pisces Fleet boat, the 58' Dona Homa, with Captain Lupe at the wheel and angler Andres Pineda on the rod, caught what turned out to be the largest fish weighed in during the event – a 489-pound blue marlin earning the TEAM over $1,000,000.

$9,000,000

ONE QUALIFYING BILLFISH

ONE TEAM

ONE DAY

After the last team had lost the final hooked billfish on Thursday, Wayne Bisbee, Tournament Director, declared, “Friday, the final day of the 2021 Black & Blue, will be like no other in the history of competitive big sport fishing tournaments in the world.”

“A $9,000,000 shootout between 199 Teams for the largest single-day prize ever awarded in a Bisbee tournament.”  

Bisbee announced that Team BRANIFF's catch was worth just over $600,000 since they only entered the $500 and $5,000 Daily Jackpots; however, there is still a possibility of more money if theirs remains the largest fish brought to the weigh-station!

The celebration continued as Bisbee wrapped up, when the clock reached 5 p.m., confirming that "lines out" and that no other fish were hooked up or coming to the scale. So, his announcement caused yet another brief celebration before the Team departed for a well-earned dinner at one of their favorite restaurants.

For the THIRD time in its 23-year history, the Bisbee LCO total awards equaled over a MILLION DOLLARS as well as increasing to 186 TEAMS breaking last years record of 122. Also of note is that 60+TEAMS were FIRST TIMERS in competition for the total payout of $1,961,600.

AWARDS REFUND EXPLANATION & AWARDS BANQUET CHANGE REMINDER

Just a reminder that tonight’s Awards Cocktail Celebration will be at the Maria Corona Restaurant (same place shown in the magazine at 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm (NOT 7:00 pm to 9:00 as published in the magazine).

We will have plenty of great food, but we will be done early enough for you to go to dinner afterwards should you like. Parking is limited so walking, Uber or Taxi will be a smart move for you.

As for the unclaimed prize money, all money has been claimed except for the $5,000. Daily Jackpot. The Dorado category gets rolled into the Tuna category.

Of the $5,000. Daily Jackpot ($10K in entry fees for the two days), “100% of the available prize money is being refunded”. This is $8,500. per team. You may use that money for the Black & Blue this week or receive a refund check when we all get back home. Just let us know what you want to do.

Thanks very much for being with us, we still can’t believe how much this tournament grew and next year is going to be equally insane, I’m sure.

Looking forward to seeing you this evening at 5:30 and on Tuesday for the Black & Blue as well!!!

All the best,

Wayne, Tricia and the Bisbee’s crew

When registration began at 3 p.m. on Thursday, a few teams were waiting in line to add or delete team members, make their final payment, or pick up their swag. CatchStat had signaled earlier that the LCO tournament was on track to set attendance and jackpot records, so everyone was eager to see what the final counts would be.