An army of volunteers began arriving at sunup at Shelter Island pier in Point Loma on Saturday, August 8th. San Diego Sportfishing Council event coordinator Vic Gamboa led the team of volunteers provided by International Game Fish Association (IGFA), San Diego Rod & Reel Club, San Diego Anglers, UPSAC and San Diego Fly Fishers. Staging for free 13th Annual Young Angler Tournament went quickly as the team performed like a well-oiled machine.

Registration of the 150 participating young anglers went quickly and each angler was provided a “goodie” bag with T-Shirts, hats, terminal tackle and other promotional items. At 8:30 AM John Campbell, the event MC flipped the switch on his megaphone and welcomed the junior anglers ages six through 15 and their parents and signaled the start of the tournament. Children and parents alike dashed to their preferred spots on the pier. Bags of cut bait prepared earlier were opened and hooks baited. Throughout the morning judges rushed to lucky anglers with fish to mark their scorecard and assist with the release of the fish calling for the photographer to record events.

Mid-morning, Tommy Gomes, Catalina Offshore Products and his team began serving his famous fish tacos, each with a big smile and comment. Soon there was a steady stream of anglers and parents for the free lunch of tacos or hotdogs donated by Stump's Village Market of Rancho Santa Fe plus all the fixings and drinks.

All morning Michael Farrior, I.G.F.A. Trustee and his wife Susan visited with the children and parents. CA Fish & Game had set up informational display and provided fish identification materials, Fish & Game regulations and measuring rulers which identified the legal length of various fish species.

At 12:00 noon M.C. John Campbell declared lines out and the process began to determine the winner in each age category between six and 15. Winners were scored on a point system to allow for catch and release. There was one winner in each age category between six and 15.

All winners received a rod and reel combo from OKUMA Fishing Tackle, fishing trips, whale watching trips or tickets to other San Diego attractions and an official gold embossed IGFA certificate.

Winners in each category were:

Age 6 Duke Kuahi- San Diego
Age 7 Jake Marzi- Winchester, CA
Age 8 – We had a tie - Fernando Vasquez & Abel Yano- both from Chula Vista
Age 9 Aryana Padilla- San Diego
Age 10 Ethan Mayes- San Diego
Age 11 Andrew Padilla- San Diego
Age 12 Brayan Lopez- Vista
Age 13 Seth Mose- Imperial Beach
Age 14 Luke Daigle- San Diego
Age 15 Thomas Orozco- Union City

Overall tournament winner was 10 year old Ethan Mayes of San Diego who won the coveted top spot with multiple catches of bass and sculpin. He was awarded a custom carved bone and Hawaiian shell necklace by Carver Bob Cox and will have his name added to the perpetual trophy provided by sculptor David Wirth.

Sponsors of the Young Anglers Tournament include Port of San Diego, IGFA, OKUMA Fishing Tackle, Anglers Distributing, Anglers Arsenal, Friends of Rollo, H&M Landing, Point Loma Sportfishing, Fisherman’s Landing & Tackle Shop, Everingham Bait Company, Queasy Pops, Promar\Ahi, Big Hammer Lures, Costa Sunglasses, Fathom Bistro & Tackle Shop at Shelter Island Pier, Stumps Market, Catalina Offshore Products, Specialty Produce and Squidco. Prizes for the tournament included rods and reels, hats, T-shirts, and fishing gear and deep sea fishing trips. Loaner Gear, Bait, and terminal tackle were provided by Okuma Fishing Tackle, Anglers Distributing, and Friends of Rollo.

The San Diego Sportfishing Council is California non-profit corporation established in 1979 to promote San Diego fishing as an attractive marine recreational activity, to increase awareness and availability of "how, when and where" information on sportfishing opportunities. The San Diego Sportfishing Council produces the annual Day At The Docks event each April and coordinates a Partnership in Education with area schools which provides free fishing trips to groups of students and chaperones throughout the school year.