2005 BISBEE'S EAST CAPE FISHING TOURNAMENT PRIZES HIT $243,060

Aug. 9, 2005, Baja Life, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico Bisbee's Fishing Tournament Report:

Bisbee's Buena Vista Offshore Tournament at East Cape ended with record growth, and was the first East Cape fishing tournament to approach a 1/4 million dollar payout.

This year's Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament, also presented by Snell Real Estate was just completed on August 6th where a record 56 boats competed for $243,060.00 in prize money.

Although there were hundreds of billfish and gamefish to be had, it took until the third and final day of fishing to get a marlin to exceed the event's 300 lb. minimum weight. This 344 lb. blue marlin was caught by lady angler Charlene Sanford fishing with husband Adam onboard their 35 ft. 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 was Gaspar Macklish Marron from La Ribera, BCS, Mexico.

The top three release teams were:

1st Place Release Team- "Dos Amigos" with Captain Jesus Soto Ruelas from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. They released 3 blue marlin, 2 striped marlin and 1 sailfish. The anglers were: Robert Chatham from Carmel, CA, and 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" with 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" with Captain Sam Talbert from Vero Beach, FL. Who released 2 blue marlin and 1 striped marlin. The anglers were: Dan, Dave and Elijah Rosenthal and Bobby Dobson from Oxnard, CA.

In addition to billfish, the tournament format also pays awards for the largest dorado and tuna for the event. These awards went to the "Que Sera" where angler Cliff Wilson from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico who 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 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 won $9,408.00.

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

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

As the tournament's hosts, Buenavista Beach Resort owners Mr. and Mrs. Jesus "Chuy" Valdez, and their sons Esaul, Axel and Felipe punctuated the weeks enjoyment by providing their usual awesome 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.