Mark your calendars for April 5 & 6, 2008, for the 34th Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby. Expect over 800 happy anglers to compete for over $65,000 in cash and prizes. Win??spectacular prizes and raffle items including deluxe fishing vacations to one of the Van Wormer's beautiful??East Cape fishing resorts, The Inn at Mazatlan, El Cid, Las Flores Resort,??Las Rocas Resort & Spa, Sitka Point Lodge, fishing trips on the new luxurious Intrepid and Vagabond, as well as a shot at a brand new Toyota Tundra Truck from Marina Del Rey Toyota. The derby dates have even been selected to take advantage of the best tide and moon cycle, so plan on coming out and being one of the big winners.

Alan Ventura, past president of MDRA and this years derby co-chair, said; " I've been involved with this halibut derby for over 20 years, and it just keeps on getting bigger, better and more fun. You've got to get out here and experience it. Plus, it gives you a great feeling knowing 100% of the proceeds go to youth fishing programs and critical marine conservation projects."

There will be many ways to compete, and you certainly do not need to own your own boat. Sportfishing boats, including the Betty-O out of Marina del Rey Sportfishing will dedicate the weekend to the halibut derby. Kayakers and float tubers are consistently catching big halibut and will even have there own separate division with a separate jack pot and trophies. "Nowadays there is no excuse for missing this fun and charitable event" said Stan Zisser, one of the MDR Halibut Derby co-chairs. "This year we will have another separate Kayak Division to recognize the fastest growing sector of the fishing industry and to increase accessibility and participation to everybody who wants to compete."

"We are really increasing the excitement for anglers catching big halibut this year," added Ventura. "The Grand Prize will be an all inclusive fishing trip for two at one of the Van Wormer's luxury East Cape fishing resorts, plus a new Toyota truck from Marina del Rey Toyota for the largest halibut over 50 pounds and even a bonus prize of a fishing trip for two to Alaska for the biggest halibut over 40 pounds. You could actually win all three!!!"

There will also be many easy ways to register:
Mail-in registration forms will be mailed to past participants,
The MDR Halibut Derby registration booth at the Fred Hall Show,
The Halibut Fishing Seminar at Burton Chace Park on March 12,
Registration forms in Western Outdoor News and Pacific Coast Sportfishing,

On-line registration at www.halibutderby.com ??? coming soon,

Last minute registration at Burton Chace Park from 3 to 8 PM all week before the event, and

You can also contact the Derby co-chairs at their numbers listed below to answer any questions and to request a mail in registration form.

The MDR Halibut Derby is the largest fishing tournament on the west coast, boasts one of the largest assembly of cash and non cash prizes and is a ton of fun. Two full days of fishing are followed by a huge awards dinner and prize ceremony. All proceeds go to fund MDRA's youth fishing program and the White Seabass Ocean Enhancement Program. So private boaters, party boaters and kayakers, mark your 2008 calendars for April 5 & 6 for the derby, and for March 12 for the halibut fishing seminar. Please call Stan Zisser at 310/306-9781 for more information.