Registration opened this week for the 4th Annual Maja El Grande La Paz fishing tournament, scheduled for July 11 and 12 on the waters off La Paz. The event carries a prize pool exceeding 1 million pesos (about $57,400 USD). But the headline number only tells part of the story: this year’s edition introduces two new catch-and-release awards for female dorado, a first for any tournament in Baja California Sur. Organizers are also actively recruiting teams from the United States and Canada, with at least 10 Canadian teams already confirmed.
Pre-registration begins June 8. Entry fees are 9,000 pesos (about $520 USD) per team of four anglers plus a captain. Teams may add up to two extra participants for an additional fee. Registration locations in La Paz include Ferremar, Bajamar, Tridente, Arjona, and Punto Único.
Three Years of Growth Built the La Paz Fishing Tournament’s Profile
The Maja El Grande tournament launched in 2023, and its first edition set a participation record of 167 boats. Over three years, the event has drawn 542 teams total and distributed 11.8 million pesos (about $682,500 USD) in prize money. Martín Inzunza, director of FONMAR (La Paz’s municipal trust for tourism promotion), said this year’s goal is to surpass that 167-boat mark.
La Paz has long lived in the shadow of Cabo San Lucas and the East Cape corridor when it comes to international sport fishing. Cabo’s Bisbee’s Black and Blue tournament, which began in 1981, regularly attracts prize pools in the millions of dollars and draws worldwide media attention. La Paz, by contrast, has historically been known more for its pangas and local fleets than for large organized competitions.
The Maja El Grande is part of a deliberate push to change that. Inzunza said the tournament operates on a nonprofit model. FONMAR contributed 800,000 pesos and the tournament’s title sponsor, Maja, added 500,000 pesos to guarantee the prize pool. “This tournament is not for profit,” Inzunza said. “Its purpose is to promote fishing in La Paz and build a high-caliber competition that benefits the fishing community, service providers, and the entire state.”
The main prize structure awards 600,000 pesos for first place, 400,000 pesos for second, and 200,000 pesos for third.
Two New Conservation Awards Target Female Dorado Release
Tournament coordinator Cristian Mijares announced two special prizes of 50,000 pesos (about $2,800 USD) each. These go to anglers who catch and release female dorado using approved practices. Mijares called the awards a first for the region.
“We are the first tournament promoting the conservation of female dorado,” Mijares said. “We want Baja California Sur to become a world capital of catch-and-release fishing.”
The timing is notable. Dorado (also called mahi-mahi) populations in the Sea of Cortez have faced pressure from both commercial and sport fishing. Mexico’s federal fishing regulations set minimum size limits for dorado at 80 centimeters fork length for commercial harvest. But tournament-level incentives for releasing breeding females go beyond legal requirements. Conservation groups have long argued that protecting spawning females is the single most effective way to sustain dorado stocks in warm waters where the species reproduces year-round.
Catch-and-release tournaments have grown across the Gulf of Mexico and Central America over the past decade. But in Baja California Sur, most established tournaments still operate on a weigh-in model. The Maja El Grande’s hybrid approach, combining traditional weight prizes with dedicated release awards, could influence how future events in the region structure their competitions.
Charity Events on the La Paz Waterfront During Tournament Weekend
Two community fundraisers run alongside the fishing competition. On Friday, July 11, during team registration along the La Paz malecón, CANIRAC (Mexico’s national restaurant industry chamber) and local restaurant staff will prepare one ton of verdillo ceviche. The fish is donated by FONMAR. Ceviche tostadas will be available in exchange for voluntary donations starting at 10 pesos. Proceeds go to the autism care program at CRIT Teletón La Paz, a rehabilitation center serving children with disabilities.
On Saturday, July 12, while boats are on the water, a waiters’ race will run from Cuauhtémoc Park to 5 de Mayo Street in downtown La Paz. Servers will navigate obstacles while carrying trays of drinks, with judges scoring their ability to finish without spilling. Funds raised will buy medicine for children receiving cancer treatment at the Juan María de Salvatierra General Hospital.
Promotional Campaign Targets California, Texas, and Canada
Inzunza said organizers are running promotional campaigns aimed at anglers in California, Texas, and Canada. About 10 Canadian teams, representing more than 40 anglers and family members, have already confirmed spots. That is double the Canadian turnout from the 2025 edition.
La Paz is accessible by direct flights from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and several Canadian cities during peak season. The city’s marina infrastructure has expanded over the past five years, with CostaBaja Marina and Marina Palmira both offering slips for visiting sport fishing boats. Hotel capacity in the La Paz hotel zone and along the malecón corridor can accommodate large tournament weekends, though rooms tend to fill quickly during July events.
Pre-registration runs from June 8 through late June at five locations across La Paz, with the tournament itself set for July 11 and 12. This story was first reported by Gringo Gazette.