When it comes to annual fishing tournaments, the Bisbee’s Black & Blue is as big as they come. With 219 boats all vying for a share in prize money of over 11.5 million USD for the 2022 tournament. Discover below what makes this the #1 game fishing tournament in the world.
What is Bisbees Black and Blue
Bisbee Black and Blue tournament is run over three consecutive days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Anglers from around the globe have been making there way to Bisbee’s for the last 42 years, not only for the incredible fishing on offer but also for the record breaking prize money on offer.
Entry Fees & categories
- Tournament Base Entry (only mandatory entry level): $5000
- Release Division: $2000
- $500 Daily Jackpot: $1,500
- $1,000 Daily Jackpot: $3,000
- $2,000 Daily Jackpot: $6,000
- $3,000 Daily Jackpot: $9,000
- $5,000 Daily Jackpot: $15,000
- $10,000 Daily Jackpot: $30,000
- Across the Board: $71,500
ADDITIONAL OPTION: $20,000 Daily “Krazy Kids’ Challenge”: $60,000 (100% return)
* All price in USD
The 2022 Bisbees Black and Blue
Day 1
With the Baja early morning sky being lit by the sight of ten flares, the tournament’s fleet of 219 boats raced to be first to the fishing grounds. By 9am the first call came over the radio with team Shaka Cantina releasing the first blue marlin of the tournament. Later in the day team RV Rental Housing, angler Michael Ciardullo managed to switch a blue marlin which would be the first fish to be weighed in for the tournament. Racing back to the docks, where a huge crowd was waiting, Ciardullo’s blue weighed in at 344lb’s securing the daily jackpot and putting them in first place.
Day 2
The second day had the 219 teams heading out at 8am. The bite from the day before went cold along with the deteriorating weather. The fleet managing only 22 billfish for the day, which were all released.
Final day
By mid morning on the final day of the Bisbee’s Black and Blue, team El Mexicano aboard their 63 Hatteras managed to hook up a solid blue marlin. After a gruelling 2 hours and 15 minute fight, team El Mexicano boated their qualifying fish.
Once the team arrived back at the weigh station a huge crowd had gathered eagerly awaiting for their chance to see the fish that could possibly take the record breaking amount of prize money.
“It looks like a qualifier! Wait, It is much more than just a qualifier!”
Wayne Bisbee on team El Mexcano’s fish
Once the crew was able to part the crowd and make their way to the weigh station, it was confirmed that the 461lb blue marlin would put team El Mexicano in first place. With only a few hours left in the tournament all ears were glued to the radio.
Later that afternoon there was call put over the radio that team Happy Ending had landed a qualifying fish. After a quick ride back to the weigh station the crowds had gathered again for what looked to be a bigger fish than team El Mexicano’s 461 LB fish that had been weighed in earlier. Once the fish was hoisted up, to the disappointment of a few, the fish weighed in at 449lb. However, vessel owner Dion Beckner laughed, knowing his winnings were above $1,000,000. He mused, “It’s like my boat’s name; it’s a “Happy Ending!”
Results
Once the clock hit 5, team El Mexicano could finally relax knowing that they had not only secured the top spot for the 2022 Bisbee’s Black and Blue but also a massive payout to go with it.
1st Place
Team El Mexicano, prize money – $3,263,700 USD
2nd Place
Team Happy Ending, prize money – $2,553,250 USD
3rd Place
Team RV Rental Housing, prize money – $1,590,975 USD
Release Category Results
1st place
Team Freebird, prize money – $114,920 USD
2nd place
Team Karma, prize money – $39,780 USD
3rd place
Team Chupacabra, prize money – $22,100 USD
Until next year
After another successful tournament and record breaking prize money we look forward to see what Wayne Bisbee and the Black & Blue team have in store for us next year.
If you enjoyed this hearing all about Bisbee Black & Blue head over to our Tournaments sections to see the lates from around the globe.
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