It was the 46th Annual Sailfish Tournament and the festivities in Marina Vallarta were at a fever pitch during the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th of the month.  This is not a tournament for the elite, boats of all sizes participated, 21 foot pangas side by side with 72 foot yachts and everyone had a fair chance to win a fabulous prize.  And the prizes, that included 5 Nissan cars, were even better than ever.  This is a photo of the winning Marlin. 

The tournament rules required that billfish be of a minimum size so this promoted the catch and release of a great number.  The excitement at the weigh in station increased as the 3 days progressed and on the final day, the participants scrutinized every incoming boat, each flag was taken very seriously.  The crowds parted like the Red Sea when contending billfish were brought in from the boats.  Three gloved men struggling to haul a 450 pound fish with a deadly bill got the attention of most of the observers.  A few tourists were almost speared, but there were no reported casualties. 

The fishing was not easy.  As always, the boats that found the bait, hooked the fish.  And the bait was scarce.  Local angler, Memo Cano Casarrubias told us that in a desperate effort to hook a Skipjack, he was fashioning lures on the boat out of anything he could find.  And the losses reported were enormous, maybe due to an overzealous attempt to bring in a winner.  Arturo from the Miramar reported that their anglers lost 2 Marlin on the second day and that either would certainly have taken first place.   

At the close of the Sailfish Tournament, a great number of prizes were awarded in the 3 categories.  The grand prize for the largest Sailfish was won by Jesús Avelar for his catch weighing 43.75 kilos.  The largest Marlin at 201 kilos was caught by Fernando Gonzales Corona and the Dorado award went to Steve McFarland for his fish weighing 25.5 kilos.  This is the winning Dorado.  .  Local angler, Alfredo Ocaranza arrived at dockside aboard the Los Peines boat, LUCINA just minutes before the closing of the tournament with a Yellow-fin tuna that weighed 138 kilos and he took first place in the category by a mere 2 kilos. 

Tonya Gabruk, owner of Masterbaiters tackle shop, the HIGH MAINTAINENCE and the TONYA TOO is Puerto Vallarta's female expert in this sport and it is not surprising that she won the title of Top Lady Angler again this year.  Pictured with husband John, Tonya is always on hand in one of the two Masterbaiter stores with lots of information and advice about local sport-fishing.