The 8th Annual Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament, presented by Snell Real Estate, took place July 31 through August 4 and we shattered our previous catch numbers! A record 64 boats competed for $351,300.00 in prize money and caught an astounding 320 billfish.

The fishing was the best ever seen in any of the Bisbee's events, with 49 blue marlin, 197 striped marlin and 79 sailfish, but with all the activity offshore, only four qualifying blue marlin were brought to the scales—none on the first day, one on the second day and three on the final day.

Michael Menas fishing aboard The Bottom Line with Capt. T.J. Dobson brought the first qualifier to the scales on Thursday and weighed in a 313.0 lb. blue marlin. Although the fish would drop out of the overall standings it did take all of the Daily Marlin Jackpots for both Day 1 and Day 2 giving the team the biggest payout of the tournament—$153.360.00.

The first place blue marlin, 418.0 lbs., was caught by Julio Cota of Team Copa Gobernador "A" fishing aboard the Tres Hermanos with Capt. Ramon Tamayo. Cota also weighed in a 51.2 lb. dorado which took the Day 2 Dorado Jackpot making Copa Gobernador's total payout $108,896.40. Second place went to a 344.0 lb. blue caught by John Martin on the Wildcatter with Capt. Enrique Villanueva Martinez. Martin also weighed in the largest yellowfin tuna of the tournament at 164.1 lbs. giving Wildcatter a $51,759.60 payday. Third place and $4,032.00 went to the Finatic with Capt. Richard Asbe for a 317.0 lb. blue caught by Al Rainwater. Top Dorado and the Day 1 Dorado Jackpot went to La Hielera with Capt. David Almanza for a 52.7 lb. dorado caught by Douglas Arndt. La Hielera took home $22,002.00. The last payout went to Cabo Magic with Capt. Hector Ayala for a 47.0 lb. dorado caught by Tommy Garcia Jr. which took the Day 3 Dorado Jackpot and $11,250.00.

The Top Release Team was RO.RA. III with Capt. Carlos Godinez Zepeda. The team aboard the RO.RA. III caught and released three blue marlin and nine striped marlin for 2100 points, on time. Mahitini with Capt. Jesus Araiza came in second with two blue marlin, eight striped marlin and five sailfish, also worth 2100 points. Third place went to Capt. Gary Robbins and his team on the Strike Force with 2000 points for two blue marlin, five striped marlin and seven sailfish releases.

The Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort owners and tournament hosts, Mr. & Mrs. Jesus "Chuy" Valdez and their sons Esaul, Axel and Felipe, punctuated the week's enjoyment by providing first-class service and accommodations. The weather and sea conditions throughout the event were picture perfect, and the awards banquet, which was held on the beach at water's edge directly in front of the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort, was an incredible ending to an unforgettable week.

For additional information please visit www.bisbees.com.