TAG & BRAG 16TH ANNUAL CROUCH/ROBERTS
NO KILL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT REPORT

July 22, 2004, Steve Crouch, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Two years ago Lennie Scherer, Lou Debottari, Calvin Weddle and Wes Davis came down to East Cape's Rancho Buena Vista to participate in the 14th Annual, and they cleaned up in the Release Division with over 4 releases. Between Len and Lou they have logged in over 70 years staying at Rancho Buena Vista Hotel, the oldest and the first Hotel in the East Cape.

Once again the "old timers" put it away with 4 releases over 3 days on two Blue Marlin and two Sailfish. They caught everything on artificials. This group walked away with all kinds of prizes from the sponsors who were Okuma, Rancho Buena Vista Hotel, Tag & Brag Inc., Sportfishing and Marlin Magazine, Pacific Coast Sportfishing and Pacifico Beer.

The only Team to come close was Team Tag & Brag with a "Stripey" on the first day. Unfortunately Brian Klein caught a 265lb Blue, but it died during the fight so the fish was disqualified, but was dinner that night at the Ranch.

In the Largest Tuna, Dorado and Wahoo Division something extraordinary happened in the East Cape. Not one Dorado qualified for the minimum weight of 25lbs.

In the other divisions the largest tuna was caught by Steve Crouch weighing in at 81lbs. The fish was caught about 200 yards offshore right in front of the Light House just south of La Ribera. Crouch was fly-lining a mackerel with a Shimano Trinidad 30 with 30lb P-Line with Spectra Backing on a 7' Calstar Rod when the Yellowfin crashed his bait. 45 minutes later the fish was in the boat. 2nd Place went to Bill Roberts of Yorba Linda on the final day with a 65lb Yellowfin knocking out Steve Spies of Orange County for 2nd place with his 34 pounder on the 2nd day.

Mark Wheeler of R&B Manufacturing scored the biggest money maker with a 34lb Wahoo. His team walked with almost $3000 in Jackpot and prize money. He was trolling a red and orange Zuker with monofilament (not wired) when he picked up the "hoo" about 3 miles offshore around the Light House.