WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS

From the director: Changes due

2010 in planning stages

What is in store for 2010 at the WON/Yamaha Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot? We will keep our slogan of "fish hard, party harder." But, we will have plenty of subtle changes enacted for the 12th running of the event. Here's some of the tweaks and adjustments.

DIRECTOR PAT McDONELL interviews the winning captain, Oscar Daccarett, after the FisherMan team's 383-pound fish was weighed in.

We had a good year with 104 teams, up from 97, but in response to anglers and staff, we will likely enact these and more to make it a more fun, smooth-running event:

It is possible the weigh-in might be moved so the distance is not great in transporting fish at the dock to the scale. Possible, but not definite. In Cabo, if you move one element of a tourney, it affects other venues. Yes, it's complicated. If it can be done, we will. The venues, at this point, will remain the same.

The entry form will be bigger, easier to fill out. There is a spot for team names. Not just boat names, but team names. Keep it clean.

IMPORTANT: For the first time ever, you can initially register as a team for a $100 deposit to be eligible for the Early Bird. All deadlines and requirements still apply. You can enter with that $100 deposit via the website wonews.com (and faxing in the entry form) or by mailing in the entry form, or paying at the Pisces Fleet office. You can ask for a specific team number at that time, too. You can update and pay in full later.

The entry fee for each team will go up, after 7 years, from $700 to $800. As always, $400 of the team entry goes back into the overall payouts, for first, second and third place. The remaining money goes into purchasing items for anglers like hats, shirts, bags and food. This year sponsorships picked up little of the cost. Part of the tougher economy. That extra $25 per angler in 2010 is not for profit, it will go to buy two things that are currently charged for: The commemorative DVD, and the $15 Fiesta dinner on Thursday.

The Thursday party in front of Solomons Landing on the Malecon, sponsored by Yokohama Tires, will be part of your entry fee. See above. Plus, each household will be mailed a free DVD.

Freebies: The coolers this year followed backpacks last year. Next year we will have carrying bags, embroidered. Hats and visors will be offered in different colors, so pick your favorite topping!

We will smooth out the check-in process: There will be two tables at check-in. One for teams with roster changes, another table for those without changes. Each team captain will receive a laminated card with his team number to put in his wallet, when he gets his confirmation. Instead of looking for names on the roster, team numbers will speed up the process. We will also mail out a four-set of waivers. Mail them back or bring them to Cabo. For sign-in at the Tesoro pool area Nov. 3.

Better commemorative team flags. Bigger, better, made of cloth, from the good folks at Reactor Watches. This year's tiny flags were a "mistake." Too small.

Two bars or two bartenders will be serving at the Tesoro check-in area. They couldn't keep up the pace from you thirsty folks this year, and I heard about it endlessly.

The construction next to the Hotel Tesoro should be ended, or should be much more quiet.

Check-in packets will have specific information of rules, schedule, and where to go to get the money train rolling if you win. This year we had a heck of time running down the people to pay them. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

New logo for the clothing, etc. Time to update to something. We're working on it.

This year, you can request your team number. Just tell us your preference up to 100, and we'll see if it's still available. If it is, it's yours.

A SMOOTHER, FASTER Awards dinner. Wherever it ends up being held. Ruth's Chris did another great job. Two and half hours, max. Same schedule. Bar opens at 5:30, music at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30, awards portion starts at 7 p.m. and is done by 9 p.m. Unless the governor shows up... and we again have a record number of teams win money. Usually it's five to six teams. This year it was NINE teams in the dough so it took a while longer than usual.

The charity portion is important, but in 2010, in an effort to raise more money and yet streamline the effort, it will be spread out over the four parties and a set of great trips will be obtained for people to bid on each night. These will be extra trips, above and beyond what we have for free drawings. We will again pass the hat at the awards. Some people appreciate the opportunity to contribute something they can afford, others feel put upon.

Reactor will be giving the winning team members four watches, engraved as Cabo Tuna Jackpot Championship watches. Very cool. We'll again have the cigars and engraved humidors for captains of the top three teams.

I'll talk less on the microphone. I promise.