Local PV Captain Returns Home from Spain to Win 57th Billfish Tournament Sylvia McNamee - Visit Puerto Vallarta
go to original November 18, 2012

The 57th Annual Puerto Vallarta International Sailfish and Marlin Tournament was another huge success attracting participants from all over Mexico and North America for some of the most competitive fishing action in the Pacific.

More than 60 teams participated in this year’s tournament in 5 categories: Sailfish, Marlin, Tuna, Dorado and Catch & Release. As always, the fish tournament was high stakes with new cars and trucks and cash prizes of up to 200,000 pesos up for grabs.

Vallarta’s own Captain Luis Blanco of Vallarta Sportsman Fishing Charters led the tournament standings with a 1st Place finish in the Sailfish category, 1st Place in Catch and Release and Jackpot win with his competitive team, Team Vallarta Sportsman Marlinstar.

"After such a great year with our 4th place finish at the World Cup in Spain last September, it was really great to finish off the competitive year with a win here at home," said Capt. Blanco, "The Puerto Vallarta tournament has a 57 year history and brings in a huge field of very experienced competitive fishermen so we're really happy to win such a world-class tournament."

And the winners are:

Sailfish Category Winners:
• Team Vallarta Sportsman Marlinstar - 37.1 kilos
• Team El Amo (represented by members of the Puerto Vallarta Fishing Club) - 35.8 kilos
• Tepic Sports Fishing Club - 35.6 kilos

Marlin Category Winners:
• Team Montana - 175.8 kilos
• Team Giallo - 171 kilos
• Team Giallo - 144 kilos

Tuna Category Winners:
• Team Guanatuna - 91.7 kilos
• Team Kokomo - 63.5 kilos
• Team Ana Maria - 53.3 kilos

Dorado Category Winners:
• Team Opequimar - 20.2 kilos
• Team Chivas de Guadalajara - 17.7 kilos
• Team Lucky Day III - 17.5 kilos

Catch & Release Category Winners:
Team Vallarta Sportsman Marlinstar

Alberto Sanchez Cardenas and the organizing committee are already working on plans for the 58th edition of the annual tournament which will take place in 2013 in Puerto Vallarta.

This is Vallarta's largest fishing tournament and promotes the local sportsfishing industry and Puerto Vallarta to the huge community of fishermen and fishing clubs globally, highlighting another great reason for tourists to visit Puerto Vallarta.

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