BLACK & BLUE GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE

Challenging fishing for this year’s event

Whether or not you enjoy the spectacle, there is little doubt that the 2022 Bisbee's Black & Blue was a truly remarkable tournament. The 42nd anniversary event, held October 24-29 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, attracted 223 teams to compete for a staggering cash purse of $11,651,300-the largest ever offered in any tournament in the world. Any blue or black marlin exceeding the tournament minimum of 300 pounds landed during the three days of competition could be worth a considerable sum of money.

On the first day of fishing, Team RV Rentals on Vida Loca had the first shot at a qualifier. Their blue marlin, landed by angler Michael Ciardullo, weighed 344 pounds and was briefly in the lead. Though the team of Capt. Alan O'Brien, Ciardullo, Eligio Baron, Matt Parsons and Steve Wilson was not in all optional jackpots, they would be eligible for a substantial payday if their fish held up.

The next morning, the fleet spread out far and wide in search of productive water, but it was clear throughout the day that a change in the conditions had a detrimental effect on the fishing. Just 22 billfish had been released by the call for lines out at 5 p.m., and none were deemed large enough to meet the minimum requirement. With the daily jackpots now rolling over to the third and final day, the anticipation levels were higher than ever.