The East Cape Offshore Tournament has stepped up to the plate and is ready for the big leagues. What has always been a laid-back family affair the 2012 edition proved anglers are ready to take this tournament to the next level of competition.

"With the incredible jump in prize money from $300,000 to almost half a million dollars, we've added an unprecedented level of excitement to this event," said Tournament Director Wayne Bisbee. "With word getting out about this amount of prize money on the line, combined with Cabo Riviera's world-class marina, we could easily be pushing the million-dollar mark. We're ready to hit it out of the ballpark."

No qualifying marlin were weighed in this year's 13th annual event, which took place July 24-28. But by all other measures, it was an unconditional success. Three hundred and five anglers fishing aboard 61 boats caught 94 billfish during the three days of competition. Three marlin didn't meet the 300-pound weight requirement. A total of 48 striped marlin, 30 blues, one black and 15 sailfish were returned to the water alive, however, for an impressive release ratio of 96.8 percent. In the gamefish category, 15 dorado and 3 yellowfin tuna were weighed.

"Conditions were good all three days," said Capt. Sammy Talbert, skipper of Sneak Attack, a 65-foot American Custom Yacht. "We went one for two each on stripers and blue marlin on Friday, all off Punta Arena. I don't know why there weren't any big fish."

One big fish did make it to the scales Friday and that tuna, caught by Awesome, a 30-foot Island Hopper home-ported in East Cape, set a new East Cape Offshore tournament record. The 262-pound yellowfin earned Capt. Luis Duran and his team $37,095. Shaun Speer was the official angler for the catch.

Newcomer Taylor Horton and his buddies Dave Christman and Samuel Cosio also had a nice payday. Horton's big dorado, a 57.5-pounder, earned $37,095 for the Ez-Duz-It team, skippered by Capt. Ernie Cosio of Cabo San Lucas.

Team Tenacious pocketed $22,950 in winnings for a nice 213-pound yellowfin, boated by Eduardo Aripez Beltran. Tenacious earned two days' worth of the gamefish daily jackpot with the catch.

Ned Wallace, owner of Tiger Spirit, a 72-foot Donzi, collected $11,475 in daily jackpot money for his 40.1-pound dorado caught on the first day. Chip Wagner, who owns Hang 'Em High, a 58-foot Miller Marine, is also taking home $11,475 in jackpot money for his 42.4-pound dorado landed on the second day.

Sniper, a 35-foot Cabo skippered by Capt. Angel Cesena of Cabo San Lucas, guided his crew to two blue marlin, one black and one striper. Those catches earned the team the top release honors. Sneak Attack was second in overall releases (2 blues and 2 stripers), while Wildcatter was the third place release team (2 blues and 1 striper).

The 2012 awards were presented on the beach overlooking a tranquil Sea of Cortez at the host facility, Hotel Buena Vista Spa & Beach Resort. Revelers enjoyed the presentation and great live music by the local cover band, Cabomax.

"Our recent angler survey showed overwhelming support for bigger cash prizes," Bisbee told the assembled crowd. "You asked and we heard you. So now there are going to be a lot more boats fishing for a big-league payday. That's pretty impressive for a local tournament here in East Cape."

The 2013 East Cape Offshore Tournament is scheduled for July 23-27, 2013. The next event for the 2012 Bisbee's Baja tournament series is the Los Cabos Offshore Charity Tournament, October 19-21 followed by the biggest event of them all, Bisbee's Black & Blue, October 23-27.