Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament

Anglers tend to embellish on occasion. Tournaments often tilt towards hyperbole, too. So when one claims to be the richest sport-fishing contest in the world, many might say, “Yeah, uh huh. Prove it!”

The Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament did just that Saturday when it handed out checks totaling more than $2.1 million for three fun-packed days on the water. The 31st edition boasted a field of 100 boats and more than 560 anglers representing 12 different nations. But unlike other sports where there can be only one winner, several teams shared the spotlight on the stage overlooking the Cabo San Lucas harbor Saturday night.

Angler Luis Arballo and his team-mates aboard Bad Medicine, a 35 Cabo appropriately enough, took top honors after landing the biggest fish, a 409-pound blue, on the tournament’s first day. That catch swept the daily $200, $500, $1,000 and $2,000 jackpots for a total purse of $394,090.