2008's FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE LOS CABOS TUNA JACKPOT

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION (OR COMMENT) FOR THE DIRECTOR?

E-MAIL HIM AT PAT@wonews.com

We always get asked questions about the WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tuna Tournament as it evolves, and we're happy to answer them. So far so good!

I need a boat: Any help there?

We try to link up teams and boats all the time. E-mail Pat McDonell, director, at pat@wonews.com and he'll provide a list of boats that have openings or contacts of fleets.

Can I bring my own boat? Is there storage in Cabo that's safe?

Yes, you can and yes there is. But there are limited slips in the marina. You can moor up, or relaunch each day. Director Pat McDonell has all the details and you can contact him at pat@wonews.com or you can contact the Cabo Marina office at normaf@cabomarina.com.mx. The larger launch ramp is now open. Fuel is currently $2.37 for diesel, $2.80 for gas in the marina. For moorings call Juan at 011 52 624 115 4530; for trailer storage call Juan at 011 52 624 129 4385.

Another live broadcast from Cabo this year?

You bet, with Rockcod Rick Maxa on hand at our host hotel Tesoro on the marina with all the winners, details and more on the pool patio. Be there for the broadcast or tune in at home Saturday, Nov. 10 on Let's Talk Hookup, 7 to 9 a.m. on 1090-AM.

You've got a truck to give away this year. What's that all about?

Yes, but a drawing for every angler, courtesy of Toyota of Whittier, will only happen if a 300-plus pound tuna is weighed in over the two days of competition. Fat chance? We think not. It happened last year!

This year's event is a week later, Nov. 7-10. Why?

The event is always the first Wednesday through Saturday time period in November. We could have had it a week earlier, but we wanted to avoid the Holloween conflict. Also, it moves us farther away from the hurricane season.

The video I bought last year on the event was great. The aerial photos were pretty high up, though.

That's not a question, but it raises a good one.

Cabo Wabo was a kick for the Friday night party: Same for this year?

Of course! It's a great venue and it's all been confirmed for Nov. 9 at 7:30-to 9:30. We'll dream up a few new kinks for fun. Prepare to drink and dance and win some great prizes in the raffles that night. The band Wabo will be back, as well as custom hats, a free drink and hors'houvres.

Why did you add another jackpot for dorado and wahoo?

To attract more teams and make it more interesting when there's no porpoise or tuna close in. This year the fish will be much closer with cooler water and thus, more bait. More teams in all size and speed boats will be able to compete for some serious money by throwing lures in the water. So far the response has been all positive. The wahoo/dorado optional is $1,000, or $500 each day, and it's just optional, but it will actually create a third ìtournamentî and another way for teams to win in any size boat.

It's strange you don't you take credit cards? Wouldn't it be easier? And more profitable?

Not exactly. The percentage the card companies charge would drastically impact our percentage, as the entire 3 percent (for example) card fee would come off the 20 percent we take, not the 80 percent we pay out. There is also the threat of chargebacks, from disgruntled and/or losing teams, and with entries as high as $23,200, that's too much of a gamble.

In signing up, there's a lot of deadlines to pay. If we pay early, can we add jackpots later and add team members at the last minute?

Yes. At check-in from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Cabo, you can solidify your team roster (up to four anglers). Any additions to the team must be on-site at check-in to sign paperwork. We will not allow teams to add to jackpots in Cabo for a number of reasons. Check the entry form for all the deadlines.

If I bring my wife or kids, can I bring them on the boat with my team members?

Yes, you can. You always have been able to, but starting last year, the number of people on a boat was raised from a maximum of six to eight people. If you charter a boat with captain and crewman and you have four team members, you can add two people. They just can't fish. If you have your own boat, you can bring four other people in addition to the max number of team members.

Can I bring a guest or guests to the awards dinner and parties?

Yes, but each guest has to have a special wristband, and they cost $40 at check-in, We can handle 800 at the dinner, and we can sell up to 150 wristbands, which also get you into the Cabo Wabo Friday party for the free gifts at the door- but not any of the drawings.

Can I substitute anglers for each day's fishing, adding a fifth angler?

No. Only a maximum of four team members are allowed over two days of fishing. There are no substitutions.

It seems that with the entry fee now $23,200, it's a rich man's tournament. Are you leaving the little guy behind?

Hardly. It costs $700 a team to enter. The daily optionals are just that - optional. $400 of that $700 overall money goes into the pot for the top three finishing teams over two days. The $300 we take covers operational costs, such as $13,000 for shipping prizes down, $100 for the dinner for four anglers, and dozens of other costs of producing the event each year. This year, with the wahoo/dorado optional ($500 each day, $1,000 total) it's a tournament for any size boat and any pocketbook.

If I charter a boat, do I pay the captain out of my winnings?

You can tip or pay the crew however you wish, but 10 percent of the winnings (overall or optional) are paid by WON accounting in Cabo to the charter captain, directly. Boats not chartered are not subject to the 10 percent crew rule.

Cabo seems like it's getting more and more expensive. Is there a way to keep the costs down? I can't afford a yacht and a luxury condo.

A pangero can catch a huge tuna just as easily as a yacht captain with sophisticated electronics. We've also added the wahoo/dorado optional, and you can enjoy competing for two days in that optional with a slow boat or a panga. We also tell people that you can also trailer down your own rig and split costs as a team. And you CAN stay cheaply in Cabo at hotels such as the Mar de Cortez and Best Western and La Quinta where rooms are less than $100 a night. And there are great places to eat for little money. Our favorites are Solomans Landing with a full price range, and there's Gardenia's, a local's favorite, or go to Costco and load up on food and tequila/beer for the week at the room or condo. One other way to save is to check Craig's List or E-Bay and look for deals on unused time shares.

In past years you guys gave away a lot of stuff, like coolers, hats and shirts. How about this year?

This past year we had almost too much stuff to give away. It's always a crap shoot on how much we get. This year we have a trip to Fiji for two, a trip to El Salto, Baja trips, round-trip tickets to Cabo, official event hats, another great tackle bag from Turner's Outdoorsman, embroidered long-sleeve event shirts for each angler, Owner hooks, Berkley line and more.

Last year was a record for money and free trips and tackle. Expect the same in 2007. See you there!