WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS

CABO TUNA JACKPOT:
Always evolving for more fun, with 12th annual event set Nov. 3-6

New weigh-in venue, free Fiesta entry, great Tesoro hotel deals

CABO SAN LUCAS -- Coming off a record-setting year in which a 383-pound yellowfin won the 2009 championship, nine teams won money and the event increased in participation last year, the WON/Yamaha Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament is slated for its 12th year, Nov. 3-6.

THE HOTEL TESORO is again the official hotel of the tournament and offers redecorated rooms with marina views at low rates, free breakfast, shuttle to Medano Beach's Nikki Beach Club, and hosts the check-in and Costa Sunglasses Captains Meeting the first night. Photos courtesy of the Tesoro

"The tournament will be better than ever with every major sponsor coming back, the weigh-in will be moved to a more convenient spot on front of the new Tesoro hotel entrance on the malecon and we'll have three great parties."

McDonell added all three parties are now included in the cost of entering.

"People enjoy the great Solomon's food and the atmosphere on the malecon of the Fiesta on Thursday night, but we decided we just didn't want to keep charging $15 for it each year, so we included it in the entry fee. And we moved it to Friday so we can give teams a rest on Thursday as they still have a day to fish. We'll just condense the prize giveaways."

The tourney begins with a bang at the festive check-in poolside at the Tesoro with live music by Doe Huevos, followed by the captains meeting and Costa Sunglasses Party. The hotel promises extra help at the bar by the pool, and a casual barbecue or taco bar. Last year the bar couldn't keep up with the demand. (they were warned we have a lot of thirsty folks at the event!).

Also back for the check-in festivities will be the Mustad Photo Contest, the Avet/Seeker/Berkley Casting Contest and the Berkley Knot Tying Contest with some great prizes of tackle and cash.

Those Wednesday "startup" activities will be followed by the exciting shotgun start Thursday morning off the fabled Cabo arch, then the weigh-in that afternoon at the new Tesoro malecon area. That will be "it" for Thursday. There will be no party that night so we can all rest.

THERE WERE NINE winning teams over two days at the Cabo Tuna Jackpot last year. From the 383-pound Fisher Man team's championship fish that took first place overall money and four first-day optionals to the Picante Fleet's winning of the $10,000 optionals with a 103.2-pound yellowfin. Photos by Rich Holland

On Friday, the shotgun start kicks off the final day of big-money action, then the weigh-in, and then we'll all get cleaned up and enjoy a Fiesta on the malecon, catered by Solomon's Landing that in recent years had been held Thursday night. Again, there will be no charge this year. It is included in the entry fee.

After that, some anglers will head for their pillows, others will march off to the nightclubs of Cabo.

After that days of fishing, weigh-ins and partying, teams and families and friends will all relax Saturday with pool or beach time, sitting in for the live Let's Talk Hookup radio broadcast at the Pisces Fleet office from 9 to 11 a.m. (Cabo time) and finish things up at the grand finale, the Yamaha Awards Party Saturday night at Puerto Paraiso, catered by Ruth's Chris.

That's four days of high-end tuna competition and fun -- mixed in with tequila, music and $150,000 in prizes in prizes for three nights of drawings.

"There will be plenty of gifts and drawings at each event. Each team member will also receive a Tuna Jackpot hat or visor, t-shirt and high quality embroidered backpack (or large tote bag) and other gifts at check-in under the big shade tent at Tesoro," said McDonell.

Perhaps the biggest change of the event, a major improvement for anglers and spectators, is the move of the weigh-in from the mall to the front of the Tesoro hotel on the beautifully redesigned area on the malecon, among the many major improvements at the hotel.

"The Tesoro's new, expanded and landscaped malecon area near their new hotel entrance and lobby will be a great weigh-in venue with our own scale, and the Cabo Marina is doing us a great service and is putting in a ramp directly in front of the scale so people at the scale can see the boats and the fish arrive and the teams can walk up the ramp right there amidst the huge crowd.

THE FLARE GUN starts are thrilling to watch and experience, no matter where you are standing. Photo by Luis Duhart

Added McDonell, "It should be two great parties those days with several restaurants and bars like Hooters, Solomons's No Worrys the perfect bars and restaurants to hang out party during the weigh-in as the fish come in. There will be shaded areas to sit, elevated bars (No Worrys) and great music... and exciting weigh-ins."

HOTEL DEALS AT TESORO! The Tesoro, with its new mid-hotel entrance, is more convenient than ever, and is offering great hotel rates that include free breakfasts and free shuttle to its Cabo partner Nikki Beach Club (Melia Hotel) at Medano Beach.

Of course, the Tesoro Hotel is again the official host hotel and the site of nearly all of the event's tourney parties and weigh-ins and close to all of the Cabo action in town and near the marina. And it is by far the best deal in Cabo.

This year the rates have an added value, as they also include breakfast at the pool patio restaurant.

The Hotel Tesoro is being upgraded each year. Last year the rooms were refurbished. This year, teams will appreciate the mid-hotel lobby and entrance. The new first floor lobby in the middle of the huge hotel features new elevators, a coffee bar, elegant and modern decor, easier access to the marina-view rooms throughout the massive hotel.

There is a special tournament rate for teams and their families. You need not be an entrant to get this rate. Friends and family and sponsors are also welcome to this special Tuna Jackpot deal. And the prices extend days before and after the tournament for booking convenience and longer stays.

The rooms have all been redecorated. Rooms (rates are double occupancy) for one or two people (single or double) with a city view are $65, a deluxe marina view room for one or two people (king size) is $70, and a junior suite with marina view with two queen beds is $85 for two people and $115 for three and $135 for four people. Taxes are not included, which are $17 per night per room.

"That is a fantastic rate for this renovated hotel right on the marina that is close to many of the tourney events and the town itself and its fishing boats," said McDonell. "The new lobby is beautiful and is mid-hotel for more convenience, and the check-in, the weigh-in and the Fiesta party on Thursday are all right in the hotel or in front of it."

To book, you can call the hotel in Cabo from the U.S. at 011 52 624 1739300. Tell them you are booking for the Tuna Jackpot. Note: The rates are good several days before and after the event (Oct. 30-Nov. 9 for flexibility in booking. The website for online booking is www.tesororesorts.com and the promo code for the rates is TUNAJK. Note: The direct link to the reservation for the Tuna Jackpot is https://reservations.synxis.com/LBE/rez.aspx?Hotel=18721&Chain=5150&group=TUNAJK and can be accessed via link by using the tuna jackpot website. Click on the Tesoro logo on the home page.

Stay tuned for any announcements on the event on the official website (www.loscabostunajackpot.com) or on the pages of Western Outdoor News. You can reach Pat McDonell at pat@wonews.com or at (949) 366-0030, ext 33.