Two San Diego County-based captains were part of sportfishing history over the weekend at the 26th annual Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament in Cabo San Lucas.
Steve Lassley, originally of Spring Valley and now living in Temecula, and Pete Groesbeck of Escondido were part of a six-angler crew on the Bad Company 55 that earned a record tournament paycheck of $3,902,997.50 for winning this year's Bisbee's. The overall payout of $4,165,960 also is a record for prize money in a fishing tournament.
Angler Randy Parker of Kona, Hawaii, landed a 361-pound blue marlin on the Bad Company 55 the first day. Parker's marlin was the only fish weighed in as 80 other billfish were released because they didn't qualify.
Parker's catch set the stage for Groesbeck's feat on the second day of the weather-shortened tournament that originally was scheduled for three days. Lassley ran the boat, and Groesbeck caught the winning fish, a 422-pound blue marlin.
Only three of the 150 billfish caught over two days were weighed in by the 183 registered angling teams (937 anglers) representing 50 states and nine countries.
By catching the only qualifying marlin the first day and the heavier of two the second day, the crew on Bad Company 55 swept all of the daily jackpots to earn $3,452,760. The remainder of the winnings, $450,237.50, was for being the top overall team.
In addition to Lassley, Groesbeck and Parker, the crew on the Bad Company 55 included James Kingsmill of San Clemente and Keith O'Brien-Morton and Andy Horner, both of Irvine.
Ed Zieralski: (619) 293-1225; ed.zieralski@uniontrib.com
