By Pete Gray
Our 20th annual Palmas de Cortez Fall spectacular had all the indications of a great celebration, but Hurricane Odie hit Cabo in mid-September and almost derailed this great time. The Cabo airport suffered heavy damage and was closed. Alaska Airlines canceled all the flights that our participants were booked on. At one point, we were going to cancel the tournament due to the lack of flights, but then the Mexican government stepped in and made amazing progress in a short time and re-opened the airport. . Flights were available from LAX and Tijuana into Los Cabos and La Paz and the tournament was back on! The east cape sustained very little damage in the hurricane, the most damaging in Cabo history. The storm seemed to miss the area altogether thankfully, and other than two weeks without power sustained very little damage. 
Unfortunately 60% of our participants chose not to go…and all I have to say is a saying we used to use in surfing…. YOU REALLY MISSED IT!
I have been to all 20 of our fall tournaments, and I must say the combination of great weather and fishing, this year ranks near the top. The Sea of Cortez was “flat like a lake” as our Palmas de Cortez host Chucky VanWormer says in his reports on Let’s Talk Hookup on both fishing days. The billfish fishing was much slower than normal, but the wahoo fishing and school size tuna fishing more than made up for it. I fished aboard Jen Wren 3, a beautiful 35 foot Cabo with owner and friend Mark Rayor, my buddies John, Mark and Jim. Mark Rayor was on a sort of “bus man’s holiday” and had Chuy and Diego running the boat and he fished with us. The run was long- almost 40 miles south to get to the productive area where good wahoo and tuna fishing was, and it paid off. The first day, we had continuous action. The expert crew aboard Jen Wren didn’t miss a beat. We landed 3 wahoo in the 20-25 pound class on Marauders and Rapalas, then went to the nearby tuna grounds and landed school size yellowfin tuna to 31 pounds on live sardina and light gear till our arms could take no more. Fishing aboard either Jen Wren boat, you do not need to bring any gear. Mark and his crews are meticulous about having top of the line gear in excellent working condition. This is such a huge bonus when traveling. All our wahoo and tuna are bled and immediately put in the large ice fish hold and transferred to the East Cape Smoke House for fileting, vacuum packing, smoking and freezing. Chris Moyer and his crew at “Smokey’s” not only have one of the best restaurants in Los Barilles, the fish processing is top of the line. They even have insulated fish boxes you can take your catch home in in case you choose not to bring a cooler.
Our second day aboard Jen Wren 3 was just as good, maybe even better! In flat calm seas we landed 4 wahoo and limits of school size tuna, with action all day long. We even had a marlin come and grab our wahoo jig, putting on a spectacular show before falling off the hook.
Everyone had good fishing, some better than others as usually the case, but everyone enjoyed the relaxed and uncrowded atmosphere at Palmas de Cortez and spectacular weather. Winner of this year’s tournament were “Team Nini” with Woody and Linda racking up 256 points and taking home a fantastic trophy, two custom Makaira Pulling Lures and a trip to return next year to Palmas de Cortez to defend their title. Second was “Team Sons of Go Ugly Early” who gathered 207 points and took home a trophy, custom Makaira Pulling Lures and gift certificates to Fishermans Landing Tackle. Third place went to “Team Pocket Ducks” with Chris Moyer from Smokeys and Frank Fink owner of the beautiful 35 Cabo charter boat El 
Regalo. They racked up 140 points and took home a beautiful trophy, Makaira Pulling Lures and certificates to Fishermans Landing Tackle. Most billfish released award was given to Team No Sabe Nada” and Tom and Lou who have been to 19 of the 20 tournaments at Palmas. They won a trophy, Makaira Pulling Lure and a gift certificate for a pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses. “ Team Los Rubios” gets honorable mention for returning after a 7 year absence, and team leader Chris says he will be back next year.
I want to thank the Van Wormer for hosting the tournament and making everyone feel so welcome every year. Than
ks to Eddie and Shannon in the Palmas de Cortes booking office for all their hard work. Thanks to Anabal for being our weigh master and making sure everyone gets on the right boat. Thanks to Justin Roper from Makaira Pulling Lures, Mark Rayor of Team Jen Wren Sportfishing, Frank from El Regalo Sportfishing, Chris from Smokey’s , my friends Mark, John and Jim for their help and thanks for all the participants that made the trip in spite of the damage issues at the Cabo airport.
Make plans to join us next year October 8-12, 2015. Book your favorite room, suite or condo at Palmas de Cortez and reserve your favorite boat. If you have not been to the east cape before, this is a great opportunity to have us “show you the ropes” . I know you will be hooked! The tournament entry is free and good times are abundant. Call 877-777-TUNA and talk to Eddie or Shannon or book on line at www.vanwormerresorts.com or click the banner ad on the front page our web site www.letstalkhookup.com. I will see you there!
