More than 330 competitors lined Playa El Bebé in Rosarito last weekend for the first round of Baja California’s state surf fishing qualifier series. The TJ Fishing Club organized the tournament, which drew anglers from Tijuana, Ensenada, San Quintín, Tecate, San Felipe, and San Diego.
The Baja California State Association of Fishing Clubs sanctioned the event. Alma Rosa García Juárez, head of the Secretaría de Pesca y Acuacultura (SEPESCA), attended along with state and municipal officials.
Winners Across Four Divisions
The tournament featured men’s, women’s, youth, and special categories. In the women’s division, Érika Arreola took first place, followed by Angélica Alejandre in second and Alondra Campos in third. Juan Enrique Paredes won the youth division, with Erik Mora in second and Eitán Fino Moreno in third.
A special “quickest catch” category rewarded anglers who landed fish in the opening minutes. Luis Contreras won the men’s quickest catch, Érica Arreola won the women’s, and Erik Mora took the youth prize. Sofía Lugo Molina earned a special award for landing a flounder weighing more than one kilogram (about 2.2 pounds).
Three More Stops Through November
Top finishers from each round will earn spots on Baja California’s state surf fishing team. The qualifier series continues with three more tournaments spread across the peninsula.
The second round takes place April 26 at La Lengüeta Beach in Ensenada. Round three moves south to Playa El Gastón in San Quintín on May 30. The series finale is set for November 27 at La Escollera in San Felipe, on the Sea of Cortez coast. At the end of the series, organizers will award a special prize to the angler with the highest cumulative score across all four events.
Playa El Bebé sits along Rosarito’s main coastal strip, about 20 miles south of the U.S. border at San Ysidro. The beach is accessible from the free road (Carretera Libre Tijuana-Ensenada) and is a well known spot for recreational surf fishing year round.
This story was first reported by Uniradio Informa Baja California and Industrial News BC.