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Signing Up: The Basics


Getting a game plan started; how to sign up for 2010

So, you want to compete for the first time in the 12th annual WON/Yamaha Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Nov. 3-6, 2010?

Sign-in: The first thing you need to know is that you can compete for just $800 a team. That amount is $100 more than last year. The added amount of $100 a team or $25 a person covers the cost of the sit-down Thursday Fiesta, which we charged $15 for last year, and a commemorative video which will be mailed to you a month after the event.

"Collecting for the Thursday Fiesta and selling the video just became two time-consuming problems at sign-in," said director Pat McDonell. "The $800 we collect -- $400 goes right back to the overall jackpot and the other $400 goes to pay for the dinner at Ruth's Chris, the hats, bags, shirts, hors d houvres at the Friday party at Squid Roe and other costs. There's certainly no profit in charging that amount."

Boats: And, any size boat can be used, either your boat, a friend's or a charterboat. And, you can sign up now for that $800 entry either online at www.wonews.com (click on "events") by credit card or via mail by personal check. You can work out the details of your team and your jackpots, if any, just before the tourney. This year, for a $100 deposit you will be able to reserve your team number (up to 100) and team name and get in the Early Bird raffle. That's new this year.

Note: The website www.loscabostunajackpot.com is an informational site only. It does not allow for on-line signup. Only www.wonews.com accepts credit card payment (see above).

Some basic facts about signing up:

Teams are two to four people: Your boat can have up to eight people, four anglers, two guests and two crewmen. Only the team members can fish, of course. If you don't have a boat down in Baja, or a friend with a boat, and trailering is too daunting a task, charterboats are available through more than dozen charterboat operations. You can find that list and more tips at this website, www.loscabostunajackpot.com.

Bringing friends, family: Wristbands of $40 can be purchased for non-team members for party access each night and includes the Ruth's Chris dinner and the Fiesta, but not entry into drawings.

You can sign up now even if you don't have all your team members and charter details ironed out. You can add jackpots and change team members between now and the event, and you can add jackpots by mail. The final team rosters will be set at check-in at the Tesoro on Nov. 3.

There are deadlines for signing up. Some basics: You can sign up on-line for the $100 deposit (new for 2010; see above), or the basic team entry by credit card at www.wonews.com but any additional jackpots have to be paid by mail with a personal or cashiers bank check. We take personal checks for jackpots until Oct. 1, and after that we require bank certified checks. The Early Bird Drawing deadline is Oct. 8. Don't miss at least getting in your $800 entry, either on-line or by mail.

Cabo signups: You can also sign up at any time in Cabo, at the Pisces office, before the event. The Pisces fleet office near the Tesoro and on the malecon. The Pisces staff will accept cash and U.S. certified checks. No credit cards will be accepted. If there is any change in that process, we will let you know.

Official Cabo Jackpot Clothing for sale: A limited number of Tuna Jackpot t-shirts will be available for sale only at the tourney events. Also, 40 wristbands will be available for guests and Mexican licenses will be for sale by the Mexican fisheries official at the check-in starting around 3:30 p.m.

Tesoro Hotel: The Hotel Tesoro is a great place to stay for the event. Comfortable, convenient, priced right. The check-in and the Thursday Fiesta are located at or near the hotel, as is the Friday Squid Roe Reactor party. Look for some great rates on this website.