CABO SAN LUCAS, BCS, MEX. – A 577-pound blue marlin – the largest fish taking First Place in the thirty-ninth Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament – took the grand prize of $1,411,375 during Day Three of the event announced director Wayne Bisbee.

The fish was landed after a 44-minute fight by angler Bill Pino, SQUIDNATION, aboard the 57-foot Spencer, Tranquilo. It was the third consecutive tournament day of $1.3+ million in payouts, a first-time achievement.

Day One’s daily winner was Paul Beaullieu aboard the Wild Hooker with a 466-pound black marlin valued at $1,751,462. Although Team Tranquilo took the largest fish prize in the event, Wild Hooker’s winnings had included the additional Chupacabra jackpot.

Day Two’s daily top prize went to Jim Putnam aboard True Grit with a 498-pound black marlin and was worth $1,296,062 in prize money and jackpot dollars as well.

Day Three winner was Team Tranquilo’s angler, Bill Pino, with his 577-pound blue marlin, the largest fish of the event, for $1,411,375 in prize money and jackpots.

Pino’s monster marlin was hooked simultaneously with one by team member Amanda Cofer, whose fish was the smaller of the “doubleheader” that was released in about five minutes by Cofer as the captain and crew turned their attention to maneuvering the boat, fighting, and landing the eventual winner.

The tournament boasted 126 boats with 862 anglers fishing the waters of both the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez at the tip of the Baja California peninsula.

Approximately 7,000 pounds of fish equaling 17,500 meals were donated to local charities by the competing anglers, announced Bisbee.

Team Payouts

Wild Hooker 466-pound black marlin $1,751,462.50
Tranquilo 577-pound blue marlin $1,411,375.00
True Grit 498-pound black marlin $1,296,062.50
Stella June 466-pound black marlin $11,070.00
Los Tapatios 466-pound black marlin $7,380.00

Costa Release Division

El Suertudo 1500 pts $69,615.00
Chupacabra 1500 pts $24,097.50
Quitena 1500 pts $13,387.50

Total Cash Prizes: $4,584,450.00

Although never considered in the early years, as the attendance grew, the $10,000 in prize money has continued to grow, as has the entry fee. In 2003, the first seven-figure check of $1,165,230 was awarded to the team of Que Sera. Bisbee recalled how he admonished the photographers at that time to take plenty of photos because a check of that amount might never be seen again!

The 39th Bisbee Black and Blue set a new payout record with the total cash prizes reaching $4,584,450, as well as an astonishing record of individual payouts to the top three winning team of $1.3 million and higher for each daily winner. Not only was this an incredible achievement for the entire Bisbee family, but it was also a remarkable footnote to Bob Bisbee’s legacy.

CONTACT: Gary Graham 760/522-3710 Or gary.1940@gmail.com or 760 522-3710