That's My Story

It's great to be in the winner's circle, but it's so much more than that when you sign up for tournaments!

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON TOURNAMENTS!

Originally Published the week of Oct. 12, 2010 in Western Outdoor News

             I remember the first time I was hired to work as a deckhand on a big-boy sportfisher in a big-money tournament. 

            I could barely contain myself.  It was like being called up to the main event…the major leagues.  I had “arrived.” Someone thought I was good enough to play with the rockstars!

            Looking at the fleet of gleaming fiberglass and stainless war wagons with every toy aboard and every conceivable type of fishing rig “roaring-to-go” was unimaginable. Vikings…Hatteras…Bertrams…Luhrs…Cabos…lined the docks like stallions.  Crews checking drags…tuna tubes…tying leaders… Fueled by testosterone and a hefty winner’s check, the excitement and anxiety bristled the air. I couldn’t help but strut. 

            Although I was pretty much a lowly deckhand, I couldn’t believe I was going to get paid $100 bucks a day PLUS a chunk of the winnings if we placed.  I couldn’t help feeling like a rockstar myself.  I was finally part of the inner circle.  The bands were playing.  The flags and Corona girls were out.  The millionaire parties were in full swing and no one was telling me I had to “go around the back to the delivery door.” 

            No way, Dude!    All I can eat?  Beer for the taking?  There’s another free party to attend in the hotel suite?  All these toys and swag in the goody bag are for me? 
What time did you say the banquet is going to be in the bar? You gotta be kidding! I could get used to this!

            I didn’t know who I ‘d be working for or which team, but I was assigned to a 42-footer that had been brought all the way over from Mazatlan.  All I knew was that I was going to be working for a “professional” multi-national team from Europe.  Wow! 

            Professionals?  How could we lose?  Besides…they had ME!

            Well, as it turned out, we didn’t win…even with me aboard.  In fact, we didn’t even catch a fish.  Didn’t even raise one.  Not a bonito.  Not a needlefish.  NADA!

            As it turned out, my host “employers” would have loved to have caught a “money fish,” but that would have been gravy.  All of them were famous fishermen in their own right back in their respective countries.  And initially, I will admit I was a bit peeved at their nonchalant attitude towards fishing that first day on the water.   I was expecting more. 

            Whereas I was all fired up to be on the big stage, they were just taking it all in with big grins and smiles.

            I was gung-ho.  Let’s get some fish!  Let’s win some money!  I wanted to be in the picture holding the big check next to the big fish and the Corona girls.

            But this obviously wasn’t their first rodeo. 

            As he explained to me, it wasn’t just about winning money.  They were paid by big tackle manufacturers in Europe to “represent.”  Indeed, all of the clothing they wore each day (different sets each day) and to the various events and even every piece of luggage or thing they owned seemed to be emblazoned with logos.  They were like the equivalent of NASCAR stars and their cars.

            The head of the group had his own fishing show in Europe and taught international fishing schools, “We all paid our dues to get here, but now we are paid to be here at these tournaments to fish and we also charge alot to wear each and every bit of logo you see.” 

            “It would be nice to win money, but look around you.  The tournaments are like a big circus!  This is our 6th tournament this year.  After this we go to Venezuela.  Then Tahiti.  I forget where we go after that one!”

            My envy level rose higher.

            “At each tournament we get to see our friends from Japan, Portugal, Canada and some state called ‘Wyoming’, ” added one of the German members of the team with a laugh.  “It’s like that at each event.  One big party!”

            “My gosh, the sun is out.  The girls are always pretty.  I love margaritas and tacos.  We fish all day and at night we dance with your Mexican senoritas on behalf of our sponsors!  Life is good.” chimed in an Italian member of the team emerging from the galley with a pitcher of something frosty.

            “Look, there are some very good teams here, but so much of tournament fishing is also luck.  If you have the right bait and just happen to run over a hungry fish at the right moment he will bite.  Maybe he will be a money fish.  It is not that complicated.  Fishing is just what brings us together.”

            And he was right.  I was told to stand-down from watching the trolling rigs astern like a good deckhand and go bring up more glasses, sausage and wine from the galley and join the “party.”  We had a great time. 

            From  Nov. 3-6, Western Outdoor News will be holding it’s 12 annual Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament.  Last year, it was the largest tournament in Baja and produced a 383-pound beast tuna that was just shy of the world record.  This year’s battle cry…”Fish Hard Party Harder.” is perfect.  It’s about having a great time with friends and do a little fishing in one of the prettiest places on the planet.  See you there!

            For more info:  http://www.wonews.com/Blog.aspx?id=1084&AuthorID=59044&t=Huge-Cabo-Tuna-293pounds-caught-at-th

 That’s my story!

Jonathan

            ____________________________

Jonathan Roldan has been the columnist and Baja Editor for Western Outdoor News since 2004 and has been a publishing since 1978.  He and his wife, Jilly, live in La Paz where they own and run the Tailhunter International Sporfishing Fleet www.tailhunter-international.com since 1996 and can usually be found at the restaurant, TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT on the historic La Paz waterfront.  He can be reached directly at his e-mail:  riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com