Tournament Promotions, Inc.
2300 McDermott Road, Suite #200-382
Plano, Texas 75025 USA
Contact Wayne Bisbee 214-557-8108
In Mexico Contact Sr. Clicerio Mercado
Phone: 011-52-624-147-7559
For Immediate Release
Bisbee’s Black & Blue Enjoys Best Fishing in Decades and Debuts Live Offshore Broadcasting
Tournament Sees an Increase in Participation and Big Black Marlin Rule
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, MEXICO, October 18, 2010 — The 30th annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Jackpot Tournament concluded October 24th as nearly $2 million in prize money was awarded to the top teams. A total of 103 boats with more than 450 anglers caught 78 billfish, including 33 blue marlin and 13 black marlin. A 599-pound black was the largest qualifying fish of the week.
Michael “Buzz” Colton and his crew aboard C-Bandit were the top winners, money-wise. They pocketed $614,613 and claimed the third place tournament award and several daily jackpot categories after weighing a black marlin that tipped the scales at 549 pounds.
The 10 Brothers Fishing Team from Chicago also scored a nice payout with angler John Boratto’s 484-pound black marlin. Competing aboard Dream Weaver, the siblings and brothers-in-law came in fourth in the overall tournament awards category, along with dailies. The team’s total winnings equaled $440,238.
A 427-pound black marlin earned Team Tiger Spirit $255,000 after the $10,000 Daily Jackpot rolled over. Luis Alberto Liera Cesena reeled in the fish aboard the 72-foot Donzi.
John Stonecipher and Team Rehab took home a bunch of trophies after landing two blacks (560 and 347 pounds) during the three fishing days. Those two fish and daily jackpots earned first place tournament honors and $254,905 in prize money. The team will represent the B&B in the IGFA Offshore World Championship next year in Cabo.
Based on several categories, including second place tournament and daily jackpots, the multi-national team aboard Reelaxe won $176,530 after weighing the largest qualifying fish of the week, a 599-pound black marlin.
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Chuck Grieger and his SoCal/Cabo team aboard Sporty Game took the Day 2 $10,000 jackpot prize after landing a 426-pound blue marlin. Sporty Game’s winnings totaled $127,500.
KW’s Karma won the fifth place team award trophy and $6,180 with Ron Pasco’s 431-pound black marlin.
El Lobo, skippered by Capt. F. McGrew Rice, claimed first place and $37,846 in the release division after catching two blue marlin based on time. El Lobo also released a pair of ineligible striped marlin. Auriga also scored two blue marlin releases, good for second place, while Mobius won the third place trophy.
For the first time in history, action from the cockpit was broadcast live over the internet in addition to the weigh-ins, catch statistics, and GPS tracking of every boat in the tournament. "For the first time in the history of our sport, we are becoming truly spectator-friendly," said Tournament Director Wayne Bisbee. "It's going to be eye-opening for those on shore to watch the real-time action."
Live services were provided by Live Video Ventures (www.livevideoventures.com), Offshore Live Broadcasting (www.offshorelivebroadcasting.com) and CatchStat.com (www.catchstat.com).
Presented by Cabo Riviera, the other top sponsors of the 2010 Black & Blue were Baja Cantina, Hotel Buena Vista Resort and the Bahia Hotel. The Black & Blue is the last leg of the Bisbee’s Baja series. The East Cape Offshore and Los Cabos Offshore tournaments comprise the balance.
The Black & Blue has come a long ways from its humble beginning. Since the first event in 1980 (with six boats and $10,000), $51 million in total prize money has been awarded, earning the title of the richest fishing tournament in the world.
“We had no idea it would ever turn out like this,” said founder Bob Bisbee. “It started as a fun thing to do and just grew. It’s always been a family affair, plus I’ve made a lot of great friends over the years. It’s really been a lot of fun.”
Hi-res photos can be downloaded at www.bisbees.com/Local/media/2010/BBB/ and include the winners at the scales and on-stage during the Awards Celebration, and several color shots as follow (photo credit to Geno Perches):
· Boats at the start line
· A shot of the crowds during the weigh-in
· Three generations of Bisbees (from the left - Blake, Wayne and Bob)
· Dress up for the dog and pony show at the scales
· A group of kids from Casa Hogar
· The team from Russia
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For additional information and news visit www.bisbees.com
2010 Bisbee’s Events
East Cape Offshore Tournament: July 27-July 31
Los Cabos Offshore Tournament: October 15-17
Black & Blue Marlin Tournament: October 19-23
2011 Bisbee’s Events
East Cape Offshore Tournament: July 26-July 30
Los Cabos Offshore Tournament: October 14-16
Black & Blue Marlin Tournament: October 18-22
The 2010 Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournaments are presented by Cabo Riviera (http://www.caboriviera.com.mx/).
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