result? A tremendous mixture of nutrient-rich water, massive schools of bait, and a constant parade of hungry predators. "Of all the places I've fished, Cabo is the most
consistent year-round for big marlin," says Wayne Bisbee, who has been visiting regularly since 1975. Bob Bisbee started the Black & Blue Marlin Jackpot Tournament in Cabo in 1980, and today, his son Wayne directs the annual event, which is the richest sport-fishing contest in the world. Since its humble beginning, more than $56 million in cash prizes have been awarded to contestants. In October of this year, 100 boats with teams from 12 different nations competed for more than $2.1 million in prize money. Tiger Spirit, a 72-foot Donzi owned by Ned Wallace of Newport Beach, California, took home $1.1 million
after boating the second-place fish, a 395-pound blue marlin. The all-time Bisbee record is a 993-pounder landed in 1994.
Sportfishing. With roots dating back to 1995, this professional Cabo outfitter has a fleet of convertible and express boats, including several namesake
"Of all the places I've fished, Cabo is the most consistent year-round for big marlin."
"Traditionally, summer has been the off season because it was too hot," Bisbee says. "But now, Cabo is hopping all year long. Actually, it's a drinking town with a serious fishing problem," he added with a laugh. But big blue and black marlin aren't the only game fish roaming these waters. There are plenty of other options for offshore and inshore anglers alike. "Striped marlin are here year-round, and they average 165 pounds," says Steve Shiner with Picante
Cabos. Picante offers full and half-day trips with an offshore focus. "We normally use TLD 30 outfits loaded with 40-pound test line for the stripers," Shiner says. "The majority are caught on live bait with circle hooks." Greenback mackerel is the preferred bait for stripers, with Pacific sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo as frequent by-catch. "The striped marlin get really stacked up on the
Although Cabo is known for marlin fishing, the rest of the food chain is here, too, giving near-shore access to dorado, yellow fin tuna, wahoo, and more.