The Rancho Relaxo team won the headline marlin category at the 18th Annual Marlin and Tuna Fishing Tournament in Bahía de Banderas, landing a 132.6-kilogram marlin during a final-hour leaderboard shakeup at Paradise Village Marina in Riviera Nayarit.
The tournament ran July 2-4 and was hosted by the Bahía de Banderas Sport Fishing Club A.C. According to local reports, boats departed after a 7:00 a.m. flag ceremony, with fishing continuing through Saturday and the final weigh-in closing at 6:00 p.m.
For visitors, the result is another reminder of why Puerto Vallarta fishing remains one of the bay’s signature outdoor experiences. Rancho Relaxo’s winning marlin measured 2.8 meters long and moved ahead of the Aferrather team aboard Reel Energy, which finished second with a 128-kilogram marlin. La Cindy took third with a 120.4-kilogram catch.
The tuna division was led by Sea Wolf with a 47-kilogram tuna, followed by Hooked and Charro Fishing Tours. The dorado category was declared without a winner because no qualifying catches met the minimum-size requirements.
The awards ceremony at Paradise Village brought together anglers, families, spectators, music, and food, highlighting the tournament’s value beyond competition. Travelers staying around Nuevo Vallarta or planning a day on the water can use the season as a cue to compare local shared fishing trips and private charter options before booking.
