TEJAS REPEATS IN CABO AS 2019 PELAGIC TRIPLE CROWN CHAMPION

Fueled by 27 striped marlin releases, Mike Darden & Co. earn $130,320!

June 6-8, 2019 – Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico – The Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament once again kicked-off Southern Baja’s big game fishing season as teams from all reaches of the United States, Mexico, and beyond competed for prestige and some serious cash in a fun, yet competitive event south of the border. Thirty vessels made up the 6th Annual Pelagic Triple Crown fleet, all of which experienced a scorching marlin bite off Mexico’s “Vegas-by-the-Sea”.

TEJAS reigns as Triple Crown Champion, earning $130K+ // The customary shotgun start in front of Cabo's famed Land's End never disappoints

The Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament is a team event with cash and awards to well over $300,000 and is structured to focus on catching the wide variety of bill and gamefish species that Cabo San Lucas is so well-known for. Awards are presented to teams and anglers for their performance in releasing the most aggregate billfish points and/or weighing the heaviest two-fish total of three offered gamefish species (tuna, wahoo, & dorado) during a two-day tournament.

The PelagicGIRLs show off the Triple Crown hardware & some great raffle prizes // Striped Marlin: main quarry

The tournament fiesta commenced on Thursday, June 6th, as all teams were welcomed with an official tournament apparel & schwag bag during check-in, followed by the captain’s meeting, super raffle, and kick-off party extravaganza. Hosted for a sixth straight year on the marina waterfront at Cabo’s favorite fishing bar & grill – Baja Cantina – it was a packed house as tournament participants listened to the vibrant rock-n-roll sounds of Lady Electric Band , while anxiously waiting to hear their raffle tickets called in hopes of winning some incredible prizes presented by the PelagicGIRLs. Fun was had by all, friendly conversation enjoyed, and a few margaritas to boot.

And they're off! Signaled by flare fired by Mexico's Naval Commander, the tournament fleet races off

As a fiery sun rose above the tournament fleet on day one of fishing, teams lined up near Cabo’s famed Land’s End Arch awaiting the 7:00am shotgun start. On cue, flares were shot to the sky as teams throttled up towards their desired fishing grounds signally the official start of the Pelagic Triple Crown.

Fishing was red-hot right out of the gates, with teams calling in hook-ups as early as 7:22am, less than half-an-hour after shotgun start. It was a busy day for our radio control team with a total of 94 billfish (93 striped marlin, 1 sailfish) released throughout the first day. Team TEJAS , champion of the 2018 Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament, fished aboard their high-speed 42’ Yellowfin Center Console to top the fleet in the billfish division with 1300 release points (13 striped marlin), which secured them the win in all levels of the daily billfish jackpots.

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Gamefish weigh-ins took place next door to Baja Cantina at Gricelda’s Smokehouse, whom graciously hosted the tournament’s official weigh station. Team FEELIN’ AZUL ’s Evelyn Schultz (8-years-old) weighed-in a 30.2 lb. yellowfin that she landed all by herself to earn them the tuna category dailies, while the PelagicGIRLs aboard TAILCHASER and Will2Win aboard VIVIANA I both secured a dorado daily jackpot with their 17.8 and 16.8 lb. fish respectively. REEL GOLD also won a daily jackpot with their 30.7 lb. wahoo.

Teams Feelin' Azul, PelagicGIRLs, Will2Win, & Reel Gold hit the scales on tournament day one

Day two was welcomed with light winds and mild temperatures, setting the stage for another incredible day of fishing off the tip of Baja.

It was an action packed second tournament day as teams race for the promise land // Pelagic Pro Teams Katie Coeckelenbergh wires a feisty striped marlin

The fast and furious marlin action continued with another 76 documented striped marlin releases by the thirty-team fleet. At the end of the day, it was once again TEJAS besting the tournament field by scoring 1400 billfish release points (14 striped marlin). Combined with their 1300 points from day one, TEJAS posted a staggering 2700 points (27 striped marlin) over the course of the two-day tournament.

Propelled by Eddie Cobb’s Top Overall Angler performance (1400 release points), TEJAS reigns once again as the Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Champion, winning 1st Place Billfish Division and sweeping all levels of both days of jackpots. Their total tournament earnings: $130,320.00

TEJAS running in style aboard the 42' Yellowfin high-speed center console // TEJAS', Eddie Cobb, was awarded Top Overall Angler

The weigh station at Gricelda’s Smokehouse was once again busy as our weigh masters once again scored team’s heaviest tuna, wahoo, or dorado. It was a banner day for The Struckin’ Fuggle aboard REELAX as this team weighed both the tournament’s heaviest wahoo (33.3 lbs.) and dorado (22.8 lbs.). Their fish earned them first place trophies in both the Wahoo & Dorado Divisions, while also securing multiple daily jackpots for each species. They walked away with smiles all around and a grand payment of $38,720.00

The Struckin' Fuggle took down 1st place honors in both the wahoo & dorado divisions

FEELIN’ AZUL secured first place overall in the Tuna Division by scoring an 18.3 lb. yellowfin. Combined with their day one tuna, their two-day score of 48.5 lbs. earned them a 1st Place trophy and a check for $15,560.00

Feelin' Azul wins the Tuna Division!

Both levels of the day two tuna jackpots were won by TAG TEAM III with a 25.4 lb. yellowfin to win $9,800.00

Tag Team III won some jackpot cash on day two

The Top Female Angler Award was presented to Kristen Richardson aboard EXPEDITION for scoring 1000 billfish release points (10 striped marlin). Top Jr. Angler was awarded to Michah Gunderson (age 15) who scored 1200 billfish release points (12 striped marlin) while fishing with his family aboard SUERCHINGO . Congrats to all Top Anglers!

Smiles all around for our Top Female & Junior Anglers!

After weigh-ins concluded and all 170 billfish were properly documented at tournament headquarters in Baja Cantina, the results were announced and trophies, prizes, and ceremonial checks awarded to the winning teams:

Billfish Release Division

1st Place – TEJAS – 2700 Release Points (27 marlin) – Tournament Earnings: $130,320.00

2nd Place – CLOUD NINE – 1600 Release Points (16 marlin) – Tournament Earnings: $7,200.00

3rd Place – TAG TEAM – 1500 Release Points (15 marlin) – Tournament Earnings: $2,880.00

Tuna Division

1st Place – FEELIN’ AZUL – 48.5 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $15,560.00

2nd Place – TAG TEAM III – 25.4 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $9,800.00

3rd Place – STRICTLY BUSINESS – 24.5 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $1,440.00

Wahoo Division

1st Place – THE STRUCKIN’ FUGGLE – 33.3 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $38,720.00

2nd Place – EL TORITIO – 32.0 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $3,600.00

3rd Place – REEL GOLD – 30.7 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $4,640.00

Dorado Division

1st Place – THE STRUCKIN’ FUGGLE – 22.8 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $38,720.00

2nd Place – PELAGIC GIRLS – 17.8 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $7,600.00

3rd Place – WILL2WIN – 16.8 lbs. – Tournament Earnings: $6,2400.00

In all, 11 of 30 teams won cash prizes!

Thank you again to all tournament participants and our generous sponsors for making this another unforgettable event south of the border. We hope to see you all again June 11-13, 2020 for the 7th Annual PELAGIC Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament in Cabo!

Cabo never looked so good! // Just another Cabo sunrise...

Mark your calendars and come fish with PELAGIC! Below you will find our tournament calendar. Fish one, or fish them all!

Check out additional photos from the tournament in the gallery below