This year’s Los Cabos Billfish Tournament faced an unpredictable slow moving weather system that developed into hurricane Pamela eventually causing both ports to be closed on two of the scheduled fishing days. The tournament became a one day shootout with all prize categories up for grabs.
Team Sneak Attack, a 65’ American Custom led by owner Shawn Guttersen out of Napa, California with Captain Vicente Bojorquez, mates Chris Choy and Jesus Alberto Capri with teammates Arthur Guttersen, William Parker, Kama de Silva and angler Steven Perry made their good fortune besting a 554-pound black marlin, the largest of the tournament. Team Sneak Attack was all-in earning First Place Team honors, Largest Marlin Jackpots and Daily Largest Marlin Jackpots winning a total of $498,140 and invitation to the Costa Offshore World Championship.
Team Karma, a 54’ Scully out of West Linn, Oregon with Captain Ramon Agundez and teammates Bill Rosengarten, Ray Gannon, Luis Vela, Jeremiah Sullivan, and Butch Gunnels were on the bite releasing two blacks and one stripe earning Second Place Team, Daily Billfish Release Jackpot and First Place Overall Release Points Jackpot winning $106,875.
Team El Suertudo, an 80’ Weaver out of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with Captain Greg DiStefano mates Rene Moreno and Alfonso Ortega, anglers Bruce McDonald, Guy Yocom, Gary Mason, Jeff Richardson, Oswaldo Ortega, and Bran Javier Garcia scored two blue marlin releases earning Third Place Team and Second Place Overall Release Points Jackpot winning $47,735.
Team Hooray, an 80’ Viking led by owner Eric Dunn from Kingsman Kansas, Captain Pancho Bojorquez and mate Rene Moreno were the only other team to boat a marlin. The black marlin caught by Dunn weighing in at 343-pounds winning the Second Place Largest Marlin Jackpots taking home a nice check for $99,360.
Other teams making the stage and taking home some cash and prizes included:
Bill Collector II with Captain Gilbert Castro – Wahoo Jackpot with a 38.90-pound wahoo caught by Scott Kindseth Wins $20,700
El Torito with Captain Antonio Romero: Dorado Jackpot Winner with a 37.50-pound Dorado caught by Frank Cappoccia Wins – $20,700
Bill Collector with Captain Juan Carlos: Tuna Jackpot Winner with a 28-pound tuna caught by Mitch Maggetti $20,700
Game Plan with Captain John Brennan: Third Place Overall Release Points Jackpot with 350-points from 1 blue and 2 stripes: $12,240
It was a difficult year due to hurricane Pamela but Cabo came through with the 55 teams taking advantage of a dual start, catching 34 billfish including 13 blues, 12 Stripes, 4 black marlin and 5 sailfish. Two very nice marlin were boated including the 554-pound black marlin on team Sneak Attack and the 334-pound black marlin on team Hooray. Every entered prize category in the tournament was won and featured two Captains that happen to be the Bojorquez brothers battling it out at the scales. The tournament awarded $826,450 in cash plus prizes.