CABO SAN LUCAS, October 26, 2026 — A 491-pound blue marlin delivered the biggest single-fish payout in Bisbee’s Black & Blue history. But the record finish should not obscure the more complicated picture facing anglers: scarce live sardines, inconsistent tuna fishing off San José del Cabo and November tournament deadlines approaching fast.
For visiting crews, the lesson is to separate an extraordinary tournament catch from everyday prospects—and build flexibility into the next trip.
Angler Kevin Miranda’s fish took an Andy Moyes lure outside Gordo Bank. The fight lasted just over two hours, according to the organizer. Contango swept the Day 1 jackpots through the $10,000 level and the first-place Top Team and Captain categories.
The same recap reports 175 teams and 38 marlin caught, with 34 released. Three fish were disqualified for failing to meet the 300-pound minimum. Those numbers underline the difference between a record award and plentiful qualifying fish.
Our Contango results and Team SIMRAD story documents the winning catch alongside Arturo Chacón’s five-hour battle with a different, unweighed marlin that escaped. Readers can follow both stories through the Black & Blue 2026 hub.
The organizer’s recap and CatchStat’s payout display give conflicting tournament-wide purse figures; this update therefore omits the overall purse. Neither the payout record nor participation alone establishes growth in luxury tourism.
San José: bait shortages and a selective tuna bite
Gordo Banks Pangas’ October 25 report describes scarce live sardines following tournament activity. Its operators were mixing dead sardines with squid for tuna while bait suppliers searched other areas for live sardines.
The fleet described tuna fishing as spotty: boats were fortunate to hook one or two in a morning outing, while many hooked none. One charter landed a 180-pound yellowfin at Vinorama on a dead sardine. That exceptional fish is not a typical-trip benchmark or a guarantee for the next crew.
Mag Bay Mania: October 31 deadline
Bisbee’s next event changes the format. Mag Bay Mania is a digital, all-release billfish tournament running November 1–30. Teams select any three fishing days; they need not be consecutive or chosen at registration.
The official rules, updated October 11, require registration and payment by 9 p.m. local time October 31. The event page says each fishing day must be declared by 8 p.m. the previous evening. Rule 3.3 also governs designated anglers and the declaration deadline; teams should confirm their selections through CatchStat.
Required release videos must be uploaded by 8 p.m. local time on the fishing day. Documentation must establish the catch and release, required leader verification and Release Separator, plus GPS location, date and time. The rules require functioning recording equipment, power, storage and reliable upload capability; technical failures and missed deadlines receive no exceptions.
Choosing dates can help teams plan around weather, but it is not unrestricted cancellation: organizers must be notified by Lines In, 7:30 a.m., if a declared day cannot be fished. Review the full rules, test CatchStat access and bring recording and connectivity backups. Rules may change before the start.
Tuna Jackpot crews have another calendar to meet
The official Cabo Tuna Jackpot itinerary lists early check-in November 3, registration November 4 from 3–6 p.m., and a captains’ meeting at 7 p.m. At least one team member or captain must attend. Fishing follows November 5–6, with awards November 7; schedule details are subject to change.
Reserve a suitable boat, confirm bait arrangements and inspect rods, reels, line and leaders before tournament week. Preparing crews could create additional demand for charter and tackle services, but that is an inference—not a measured increase in bookings or sales.
Port charges: an authorized tariff, disputed collection claims
Cabo’s operating-cost dispute also remains relevant. The official notice published October 1 announces authorized port-infrastructure tariffs. Its transitional provisions distinguish two dates: the notice takes effect on publication, while the tariff takes effect after the following 20 business days. The notice does not identify October 19 as the tariff’s start date.
Tribuna de México’s October 19 reporting describes operators protesting outside CATTAC over costs. Boat owner Lizbeth García alleged that charges were already being collected, citing fuel-related docking charges. Those are attributed claims, not independently verified invoices or proof of the applicable tariff basis.
We have not verified a dated ASIPONA response to the protest, or an official cancellation, suspension or amendment. Read our earlier tariff coverage, also available in Spanish.
Editorial disclosure: Arturo Chacón, the magazine’s publisher, participated in the peaceful protest and serves as president of Alianza del Mar BCS.
Weather advisories are not port clearance
The NHC’s October 26, 15:00 UTC Vance advisory placed the tropical storm south-southwest of Manzanillo, moving west-northwest, with 100 km/h sustained winds and gradual weakening forecast. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect in that advisory; it still warned of hazardous swell along portions of mainland Mexico.
SEMAR’s October 26, 16:00 UTC notice also monitored Vance. Neither source establishes Cabo’s local sea conditions or permission to depart. We could not verify an exact-dated SMN cyclone bulletin or current Capitanía clearance; port status remains unconfirmed here. [Sources checked Oct. 26, 2026: NHC advisory, 15:00 UTC; SEMAR notice, 16:00 UTC; SMN website: no exact-dated cyclone bulletin found; no published Capitanía de Puerto clearance found. Unverified.]
Consult updated official notices and your captain before sailing. The catch observations above concern the reporting San José fleet—not fresh reports for La Paz, Loreto, East Cape or Magdalena Bay. The Baja Fishing Explorer provides sourced regional context without turning missing reports into assumed conditions.
Three takeaways for the coming weeks
- Plan for variability: confirm bait and alternative targets; a trophy catch does not guarantee the next bite.
- Meet the deadlines: complete tournament registration and test video uploads before fishing.
- Check before departure: refresh weather, confirm port clearance and clarify any quoted port charges.
