Waterman's Journal

Nov 08, 2018

NEAR-RECORD $3 MILLION PRIZE PAYOUT HIGHLIGHTS 2018 BISBEE’S BLACK & BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT

PELAGIC Pro Team’s, Evan Salvay, Captains Team CHINITO BONITO to Victory

October 26, 2018 – CABO SAN LUCAS, B.C.S., Mexico – A 510-pound black marlin on the final day of the 2018 Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament propelled the California-based team, Chinito Bonito , to victory and a staggering payout of $3,004,900.00.

Team Chinito Bonito celebrates the sweet taste of $3MILLION! [photo: Gary Graham - "That Baja Guy"] 2018 Bisbees Marlin Tournament_Chinito Bonito_Pelagic

This grand payment is the second largest in big game sport fishing tournament history; second only to Bad Company ’s winnings of $3,902,997.50 during the 2006 Bisbee’s Tournament.

The 2018 Bisbee's-winning 510-black marlin, centered by PELAGIC Pro Team Captain, Evan Salvay Team Chinito Bonito_2018 Bisbees_Black Marlin 510 lbs_Evan Salvay_PELAGIC

The fight lasted 1-hour and 37-minutes before angler, Charlie Lee (San Diego, CA), and the Chinito Bonito team were able to boat the fish. After landing the giant black, they headed back to the weigh station in Marina Cabo San Lucas where their qualifying catch (300+ lbs.) was confirmed in front of a raucous crowd of eager onlookers.

Standing room only during the grand weigh-ins Bisbees Crowd_PELAGIC_2018

This was the second tournament season that PELAGIC Pro Team Captain, Evan Salvay, steered the 40’ Cabo Chinito during the Bisbee’s events.

Speaking about their tournament-winning marlin, Salvay stated, “We got the right bite this year – we knew she was ‘THE ONE’ right away.”

He continued, “It was a true testament to team effort. Our crew did a fantastic job as always and stayed calm even after we saw the fish knowing she was a potential qualifier. I couldn’t be happier.”

The shotgun start is always filled with excitement as 100+ boats shoot out of the gates hot in pursuit of Bisbee's blue or black gold! [photo: Jaime Llaca] Bisbee's Marlin Tournament_Shotgun Start 2018_Pelagic

The 2018 Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament saw 114-teams competing off Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, where the marlin-rich waters of both the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez collide.

Team PELAGIC aboard the 87' Horizon Sportfisher, Tourbillon , jostles for position during the traditional Bisbee's shotgun start Team PELAGIC_2018 Bisbees Marlin Tournament

Total purse available in this year’s “Super Bowl of Sport Fishing” amounted to $4,038,625.00, announced during the tournament’s kick-off ceremonies on October 23rd by Tournament Director, Wayne Bisbee.

2018 Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament – OFFICIAL RESULTS:

1st Place Overall – Chinito Bonito – 510-lb. Black Marlin – $3,004,900.00

2nd Place Overall – 4 Yahoos – 395-lb. Black Marlin – $544,250.00

3rd Place Overall – True Grit – 308-lb. Blue Marlin – $44,175.00

1st Place Release – El Suertudo – 1,200-pts. – $65,195.00

2nd Place Release – Overtime – 900-pts. – $22,567.50

3rd Place Place Release – Quiteña – 900-pts. – $12,537.50

The PELAGIC tents are always a centerpiece of Bisbee's Tournament Village PELAGIC_2018 Bisbees Marlin Tournaments

PELAGIC is a proud sponsor and partner of the Bisbee’s Tournament Series for well-over a decade and counting. If you consider an event that draws the world’s best tournament and marlin professionals; it’s no wonder the competition level is so high, the stakes the richest in the sport fishing world, and the atmosphere provided rivals that of any sporting event seen worldwide. We simply wouldn’t miss it and can’t wait to return again in 2019.

Team PELAGIC_2018 Bisbee's Marlin Tournament_Cabo