Epic, world class fishing describes the weekend in the Santa Monica Bay for the 2012 Marina Del Rey Halibut (And Other Species) Derby. The 37th Annual MDR Halibut Derby was held June 9 and 10, with the objective of timing it with better weather and better fishing. This is the second year the traditional halibut derby has awarded prizes for other species and provided a special 20% weight credit for live halibut releases and introducing a 20% weight credit for Kelp (Calico) Bass. The derby was returned to a two day venue this year by overwhelming popular demand.

Although some anglers actually sign up for serious fishing it was difficult to tell on Friday night in the parking areas and local bistros in Marina Del Rey as anglers gathered, partied, tail gated and enjoyed the local color of the Marina area. Despite an abundance of reveling and adult beverages the night before, anglers woke up Saturday morning to a gorgeous June day and ready for fishing and catching. Friday night anglers could be heard discussing strategy; "should we go for some big rock fish, target the normally elusive white sea bass that have been marauding around the bay or should we focus on getting a big barn door halibut?"

Joshua Gerson, MDRA President and this year's MDR Halibut Derby Director, said, "This derby traditionally kicks off the summer fishing season and our timing is perfect. There have already been notable catches of big halibut, ling cod, white sea bass and beautiful rock fish in our local waters and I am also excited about the great tuna fishing just out of San Diego and moving north. I hope all anglers really take advantage of all the fishing opportunities that abound for Southern California anglers."

Most anglers got an early start Saturday morning wanting to get on the leader board early. Boaters scattered about the Bay looking for signs of fish. Anglers working the Santa Monica Bay were rewarded fast and furiously. Reports of huge halibut and white sea bass were heard, but for folks at the dock seeing was believing, and when anglers began weighing in their trophies the gathering crowd knew the reports were not hoaxes. There was a definite buzz around the weigh-in dock as anglers started arriving with fish even before the 2pm commencement to weigh in their fish. By the end of the first day anglers and derby officials were awed and exuberant with the results. What a first day, 31 anglers weighed in fish and all but three had white sea bass or halibut, with several anglers boating several big fish. All of the top 5 fish on the leader board exceeded 36 pounds with the top three weighing in at 48.8, 46.6 and 39.3 pounds, respectively; world class fishing by any standard.

"This is the real deal," one happy angler yelled, "Thank God I signed up for this tournament. My buddies who stayed at home are going to be so bummed." The birds were up chasing bait and the fish were hungry. Anglers missing this MDR Halibut Derby will regret this all year. Needless-to-say, the tail gate celebrations started early and lasted into the night with stories being told and re-told of huge fish being landed and bigger ones getting away. Anglers dreamed well that night of big fish jumping in the boat for the next day.

Anglers were eager to get back out Sunday morning to tackle more big fish, especially when all the participants saw the trophy halibut, white sea bass and bags of big rock fish weighed in and leader board from Saturday's results. Sunday's fishing was also off the charts with 25 big halibut and whites seabass weighed in. The derby rules allow anglers to weigh in only one fish per day, and many anglers caught multiple fish on both days, so the total fish actually caught far exceeded the fish weighed in. Again, the fishing was off the charts!!!

At the end of Derby Sunday there were hundreds of happy anglers and families and several extremely happy winners in the various categories.

The top five anglers on the leader board at the end of the derby were:
1. Daniel Ahman, Halibut 48.8 lbs.
2. Paul Thompson, White Seabass 46.6 lbs.
3. Farney Brown, White Seabass 39.8 lbs.
4. Bob Palmer, Halibut 39.3 lbs.
5. Jimmy Stathis, Halibut 36.9 lbs.

The top five prizes awarded:
1. 4 Nights accommodations and 2 days sportsfishing East Cape Mexico. Donated by Van Wormer's Resorts
2. 4 nights 3 days fishing in Sitka Alaska. Donated by Sitka Point Lodge.
3. 3 days fishing aboard the Vagabond out of Point Loma, CA
4. 2 days fishing aboard the Ocean Odyssey out of Point Loma, CA
5. 1 day fishing aboard the Gallilean out of Point Loma, CA.

Ahman (1) and Stathis (5) released their live, healthy fish into the hands and tanks of Marine Scientist Mike Shane from Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute and received a 20% weight credit which moved them up on the leader board. Ahman would have placed second for his monster but with the 20% live release credit he won the derby. There were several fish larger than Stathis' but his 20% credit for the live release moved him ahead of those anglers and onto the leader board. Our derby anglers released a total of 12 beautiful, healthy halibut to the HSWRI scientists. These fish will be added to the facility's brood stock, and hopefully we will see a new halibut hatchery breeding and release program developed in partnership with angling clubs, DFG and United Anglers of Southern California. The large number of big halibut caught during the derby may be evidence that our local halibut population is in better shape than previously feared.

Paul Thompson won the derby jackpot for his 46.6 pound white sea bass, taking home an additional $ 1200.

Josephine Smith earned the Top Lady Angler trophy and elegant brunch compliments of Shanghai Reds in Marina Del Rey.

Arthur Lozano, Jr. swept the first and second prizes for the youth division with his 15.7 and 8.2 pound halibut caught on back-to-back days earning 2 Penn rod / reel combinations complements of West Marine, Marina Del Rey. Daniel Medina came in 3rd place in the youth division with his 6.3 pound halibut and took home a beautiful rod / reel combination compliments of Sports Chalet.

Top Team Honors went to Paul Thompson and Jeff Compton of Team Jack Pot splitting a prize of $820.

The 37th Annual MDR Halibut Derby produced no shortage of fish, smiles, laughter and generous sponsors. The MDRA Board, the MDR Halibut Derby Committee and all anglers appreciate all of the generous sponsors who gave raffle prizes to make the weekend especially fun and rewarding. Gerson noted, "This derby is the oldest fishing tournament in California. Many sponsors have been with us for decades and some are new this year. Thank you to every sponsor for making this event the best fishing tournament around. A special welcome and thanks to the Marina's newest tackle and kayak shop, Marina Kayak & Fishing Center, they donated a beautiful Hobie Revolution 11 Kayak, valued at $2400, for a special raffle."

"Congratulations to all anglers," said Keith Lambert, MDRA's vice president. Every year I get so excited about the MDR Halibut Derby, whether fishing in it with my sons or volunteering to make it a success. This is one of my annual highlights."

Besides the awards ceremony anglers and families were treated to a lavish barbeque courtesy of Outback Catering and huge raffle with live band music with kids running around and dancing to the tunes.

Gerson added, "Proceeds from the MDR Halibut Derbies have traditionally funded the club's well known MDRA Youth Fishing Program and its White Sea bass Grow-out Pens in Marina Del Rey. Last year we hosted over 500 children to fishing trips over the summer and our Youth Fishing Program for 2012 starts next month in July. We hope these future anglers will be our future derby participants, devout customers of our sponsors and avid anglers on their own rights. MDRA has released nearly 100,000 white sea bass from its WSB grow-out pens."

Marina del Rey Anglers is a fishing and conservation group and a non profit 501(c)3 organization. MDRA welcomes new members and sponsors. For more information visit www.mdranglers.com or www.HalibutDerby.com . Look for derby photos and results and for a list of our generous sponsors.

Thanks to all of the sponsors who helped make the 37th Annual MDR Halibut Derby a fun and successful weekend. The dedication and generosity of all of our sponsors ensure a robust fishing community in Southern California for generations to come. All photos were provided courtesy of Dave Bentley Photography and will be available for viewing and bragging at www.halibutderby.com.