Calendar of IGFA 2007 Offshore World Championship Qualifying Tournaments

Sponsors of the IGFA Offshore World Championship

2008 Tournament Rules

We would like to thank all our sponsors and anglers who made the 2007 IGFA Offshore World Championship a great success. We had 63 teams from 29 countries and territories. All the teams put points on the board thanks to the great fishery of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, world class anglers and captains and crews of the Cabo fleet.

The 2007 champions, hailing from Spain, were Jose Gomez, Jeronimo Velasquez, Federico Acevedo, Joaquin Bachiller and Martin Pastor Navas from the Marina Rubicón Marlin Cup 2006. Second place went to the “Copa del Gobernador” San Jose del Cabo team of Oscar Daccarett, Modesto Mirando, Daniel Fisher and Jobe Villavencio. Third place went to the Caicos Classic Release Tournament team of Bruno Ramos, Erick Soderbon, Frank Mallorca, Nelson Fonseca and Mike Moskowitz of Florida. The top three male anglers were decided by last fish caught first. First place honors went to Marcolind Mestre of Portugal’s 2nd Int’l Big Game Fishing Championship of Portimao. Second place male went to Flavio Reis representing the Cabo Frio Marlin Invitational and third place went to Jobe Villavencio of the local “Copa del Gobernador” San Jose del Cabo team. The top three female anglers were also decided by the last fish caught first rule. Betsy Bullard of Islamorada, Florida and Golfito, Costa Rica took first place representing the IWFA Annual Billfish Tournament. Second place went to Joan Vernon representing the Presidential Challenge Costa Rica and third place went to Kelly Schulzke of Gold Hill, Oregon, representing TAA Ixtapa Sailfish Tournament. Tournament anglers released 334 striped marlin and two blue marlin.

As we prepare for the final IGFA Offshore World Championship, we have confirmed dates reserved with the beautiful Finisterra Hotel, our headquarters in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The dates are May 11 - 17, 2008. Mandatory registration and the kick-off party will be Sunday, May 11. Fishing days are May 12, 13, 14 and 15 with the awards party on Friday, May 16. To make reservations for the Finisterra Hotel, please call Baja Resorts Sales Office at (800)347-2252 or e-mail the sales office at Yvette@bajahotels.com. The rate is $110 USD per night, not including taxes. There are also one-bedroom suites available for $265 USD plus applicable taxes.

Again this year, all anglers will be required to use only Momoi IGFA class 30-lb Hi-Vis line. We have found this line to be very reliable, and received many compliments about the line at the 2007 Championship. It also insures that all anglers are on an even playing field as far as their line is concerned. Angler may fill their reels with the official Momoi line prior to arrival in Cabo San Lucas if you plan to bring your own tackle. However, if you can't obtain the line in your area, Minerva's Baja Tackle in Cabo (a short walk from the Finisterra Hotel) will have a large supply of the line. Most of the past tournament anglers prefer the familiarity of their personal tackle, but each boat will have rigged rods.

Registration Fee and Boat Draw - The registration fee for a team of up to four anglers is $7500(USD). This includes the cost of four days fishing aboard local charter boats selected for the championship and Mexican fishing licenses. Teams will be assigned a different charter boat each day as determined at the boat draw at the kick-off party on Sunday, May 11. Additional anglers can be added for $750. Only four (4) anglers per team are permitted to be on the boat each day, but team members may rotate days. The registration fee also covers exclusive angler bags for each team member as well as all official social events and continental breakfast in the hotel lobby on each fishing day. The registration fee for non-fishing guests is $400 which covers the social events and the Shotgun “Bloody Mary” start boat trip and photo opportunity on the first morning of fishing.

Deposits must be paid by February 1, 2008. Registration and deposit fees are fully refundable up to February 29, 2008 after which no refunds will be made. All team payments must be received by March 28, 2008.

There will be a half-day Roosterfish Tournament for guests on Tuesday May 13, 2008, from pangas on light tackle close to shore. Trophies will be awarded to the winners. Price is $350 per boat, with a maximum of three (3) anglers per boat.

Fishing in Cabo San Lucas is done by trolling lures or using live or dead baits. Often, marlin are seen tailing on the surface at which time a live bait may be cast to them, or dropped back in front of the fish. IGFA will be addressing specific bait issues in the future updates. It would be a good idea for anglers to practice pitching baits to fish if you are not familiar with the technique. A bait casting seminar during the team registration will take place on May 11 at the Finisterra Hotel. Circle hooks are required for all live or dead baits.

For practice fishing days and the finest sport fishing in Cabo year round please call:

Minerva Baja Tackle: 011 52 624 1431282 Email: Minerva@minervas.com
Picante Sportfishing: 011 52 6242474 Email: jini@picantesportfishing.com
Pisces Sportfishing: 011 52 624 1431288 Email: pisces@piscessportfishing.com

Everyone at IGFA is looking forward to the 2008 IGFA Offshore World Championship. For further details please contact Lesley Arico, Offshore Championship Coordinator at IGFA, 954-924-4222, email: Larico@igfa.org.

Don't forget our sponsors!

IWS Scales

King Sailfish Mounts

Aftco Bluewater Sportswear

Bodo Muche Studio-Foundry

Momoi Hi-Catch

Costa Del Mar Sunglasses

Murray Products Fighting Chairs

Finisterra Hotel

Guy Harvey

Hook & Tackle

Shimano

Transcabo

Stidd Systems

Pisces Sportfishing Luxury Yachts

Minerva's Baja Tackle

Cabo Yachts

API Cabo San Lucas

Illusion Diamond