October 26, 2015; Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur:
It takes confidence to bet heavily when the stakes are so high. Yet that’s exactly what Team Tranquilo did this past week during the 35th edition of the Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament. The first-time crew from Costa Rica parlayed a hot streak with a hunch and the move paid off in record fashion. Tranquilo earned $2,511,462, the second-highest single team payout in Black & Blue history, with a blue marlin weighing 327 pounds. That fish was good for third place overall, sweeping all but one optional jackpots on the first day. Michael Moretti was the angler, with Captain Victor Julio Lopez at the helm of the 57-foot Spencer.
“This is the best third-place finish ever. It really means a lot, coming from Costa Rica with the boat and the team,” Moretti explains. “The competition here is the best in the world. It’s a different style than what we’re used to, but it’s very tough. The whole experience has been top notch and we’re already making plans to fish the Black & Blue again next year.”
Moretti & Company are coming off a first-place win in the Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament earlier this month. A 399-pound black marlin then earned Tranquilo $460,200, another tournament record, for a combined payout of $2,971,662 for the two events. The team caught a Pacific slam consisting of a black and blue marlin, a striped marlin and sailfish during the two contests. Both marlin were fooled by the same green/black plunger lure.
Source:Bisbee`s
By Capt. Dave Lear
