Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – The 18th Los Muertos Beach Fishing Tournament proved to be a spectacular success this past weekend, cementing its reputation as one of Puerto Vallarta’s most cherished annual events. The festive atmosphere of camaraderie, tradition, and friendly competition drew large crowds to the Playa Los Muertos pier, celebrating the port’s fishing and tourist communities.
Early Saturday morning, November 8, anticipation was palpable as the tournament officially began. At the sharp sound of the 7:00 a.m. starting gun, a fleet of over one hundred boats, manned by local, national, and international fishermen, set off to navigate the waters of the bay. They were all competing for the honor of landing the largest specimen in what is proudly known as the fishing tournament for Vallarta residents, by Vallarta residents.
The action at sea was spirited throughout the day. As the clock approached 5:00 p.m., the returning boats signaled the close of the competition, with the weigh station wrapping up its duties at 5:20 p.m. Spectators and competitors alike were in awe of the impressive sizes of many of the catches, especially the magnificent marlin, some of which were too large to fit entirely on the measuring table.
The main event saw the boat El Amo triumphantly secure the grand prize. Their massive 15.500 kilogram (34.17 lbs) dorado claimed first place in the star category, earning the team a quarter of a million pesos, plus an additional pool prize of nearly 50 thousand pesos. The competition was fierce across all categories, with top winners including La Cindy for the Marlin category (162.300 kg), High Tides 2 for Tuna (87.550 kg), and Salty Food for Pacific Crevalle Jack (10.900 kg).
The day’s festivities were perfectly complemented by the always-popular traditional marlin and dorado barbecue. Chef Memo Wulff and his culinary team cooked up the freshly caught fish, serving over a thousand attendees with delicious plates of fish, rice, beans, and salsas. The friendly and cheerful atmosphere surrounding the endless lines to taste the fresh catch was a true highlight of the event.
Tournament organizers Sergio Gutiérrez, Mauricio Escontria, Gilberto Uribe, and Víctor Ramos led the awards ceremony, recognizing the top three finishers in each of the four categories.
Following the official presentations, the celebration continued late into the evening. Live music from Reno, Reno, Reno and the Cumbia Friends got everyone on their feet, dancing the night away, before a DJ took over to bring a perfect day of camaraderie, delicious food, and tradition to a close.
With 18 nearly consecutive years, the Los Muertos Beach Fishing Tournament continues to be an essential and highly anticipated family event in Puerto Vallarta.
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