The qualifying tournament will bring together federation-affiliated teams from across Mexico September 18–20; the top two teams will represent Mexico in South Africa in 2027.
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.— From September 18 to 20, Cabo San Lucas will host the 20th BCS National Big Game Trolling Championship, a federation-sanctioned qualifying tournament that will bring together teams from across Mexico and determine the country’s representatives at the 2027 international championship in South Africa.
At the event’s official presentation, Víctor Vargas, president of the Baja California Sur State Sport Fishing Association, explained that the first- and second-place teams will represent Mexico in the international competition, while the third-place team will be designated as the national alternate.
As the host state, Baja California Sur may register up to 12 teams, while every other participating state may enter one representative team. Teams must consist of at least two and no more than four anglers. The entry fee is 16,000 Mexican pesos per team.
Three Days of Activities in Cabo San Lucas
The program will begin Friday, September 18, with delegation arrivals, team registration, and the opening ceremony. Fishing will take place Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20. The official start is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. off the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, with fishing ending at 3:00 p.m.
The awards ceremony will be held Sunday, September 20, at 8:00 p.m. at Marina Fundadores.
Eligible species include blue, black, striped, and white marlin; sailfish; swordfish; mahi-mahi (dorado); wahoo; yellowfin tuna; bluefin tuna; and skipjack or bonito.
Responsible Fishing and Community Impact
All billfish will be handled under catch-and-release rules. Each fish must be recorded on video for point validation. Other eligible species brought to the dock will be donated to a charitable cause.
Nidia Yukari Ruiz, vice president of the Baja California Sur Anglers Association, encouraged anglers to join the federation and participate in these championships. She also emphasized the importance of continuing to create opportunities for women’s teams.
Coordination to Support the Qualifying Tournament
Also taking part in the press conference were Martín Inzunza Tamayo, director general of the Marine Resources Protection Fund (FONMAR); Erick de la Vega Meza, FONMAR’s state coordinator for sport fishing tournaments; Luis Ramón Cárdenas, FONMAR coordinator in Los Cabos; and Juan Javier García Davis, municipal director of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the 15th Los Cabos Municipal Administration.
Inzunza Tamayo recognized the efforts of the National Sport Fishing Federation and the state association to sustain these competitions and expressed confidence that Baja California Sur teams will qualify to represent Mexico.
FONMAR will support the event’s promotion and logistics, while municipal authorities and representatives of Los Cabos’ fishing sector will assist with operational coordination. The tournament is intended to strengthen sport fishing and raise Baja California Sur’s tourism profile, while giving competitors a pathway to represent Mexico internationally.
