The 49th Annual Marina del Rey Halibut Derby, June 1st
and 2nd was not just a tournament, but a fantastic experience. This year, I had
the pleasure of participating for the first time. The well-managed,
entertaining event had something for everyone, and it was a joy to be a part of
it.
From the start to finish of the competition, the dinner, the
raffle, and the awards presentation were all about the exciting angling
community comradery. I was proud to be part of Team Pier Pressure, and the two
days of challenging fishing were overshadowed by the good times and the strong
sense of companionship.
Join my teammates and me on this photographic tour? It's a
great way to get a feel for the event and the fun we had.
Chapter One, Pre-Event
Friday’s Captain’s Meeting kicked the action off. Tournament
Director and Marina Del Rey Angles Club President Myles Blatt held the meeting.
At least one team member was required to attend this meeting, as the entries,
rules, times, and Calcutta Jackpots were managed. Blatt’s leadership
immediately set a professional yet enjoyable pace.
The Santa Monica Bay Derby Fishing Grounds.
Picture yourself in the Marina del Rey Halibut Derby, vying
for the prestigious trophies. And with the bonus of a low CCA Star Tournament
entry fee, it was a rare chance to double your winning potential. Among its
many roles, the CCA is a political advocate for recreational angling rights.
Home for the next two days, Pier Pressure, Marina Del Rey,
CA.
Chapter Two, Saturday Day One Fishing
Prepare for an early start; the action begins at 4 a.m. on
Saturday. It's the moment we've all been waiting for—the start of the
tournament and the thrill of the competition.
Feel the anticipation mounting as you stand in line at the
harbor bait tank just before the first light of dawn breaks. It's a moment
filled with excitement and the prospect of a great day of fishing.
Captain Keith, assisted by 1st Mate Jeff, insured a bait
tank full of prime fin bait.
First Light, heading up the coast. It is a cloudy grey
morning along the Malibu Coastline.
Captain Keith and Mate Orion are at the helm as we arrive at
our first spot.
Our first stop was the Malibu Pier. The low cloud cover in
the early morning perpetuated the continuing low light.
Big Rock Malibu. We planned to troll for halibut as we moved south towards the marina.
Along the way, we positioned tight to various locations
targeting bass for our Calcutta Options. A Red Tide condition did not help our
efforts, but we remained resolute.
Undaunted by the conditions, we fished on with
determination. Just off the Topanga Canyon coast, about a mile from shore,
First Mate Jeff boated two quality Barred Sand Bass fishing a Nomad Squidtrex.
Unfortunately, images of the catch escaped me.
Vessels of all types ventured by.
First Mate Jeff and Mate Kevin at the helm.
Chapter Three, Return to Port Day One
The Stars and Stripes waved proudly as we approached the sea
wall and the harbor entrance.
A litany of boats paraded through the marina as we made our
way to the derby scales.
The anglers from the Betty O displayed their exceptional
skill with their impressive Halibut catches, holding the top three heaviest
Halibut weights for the Sport Boat Division.
Team Cabo Time emerged as the champions in the Derby’s
Lingcod and Rockfish Divisions, thanks to their outstanding catches of Lingcod
and Bocaccio.
Team Pier Pressure, Day One. From left to right, Mates Kevin
and Orion. Center Captain Keith, First Mate Jeff, and the author, Mate D the
Machine. Our teamwork and camaraderie made us feel connected and part of this
vibrant fishing community.
Back to the dock, it was time to re-rig and strategize for
the next day of competition. The Diamond Cutter delivered fresh bait.
Re-rigged, the sun setting, and time to rest. If you have
experienced tournament fishing, you know it can be one of the most physically
and mentally challenging endeavors ever.
Chapter Four, Competition Day Two
Orion was unable to stay for Day Two of our fishing trip.
However, Ivan, an excellent angler, eagerly joined the team.
Kevin was always smiling, and always on the stern ready to
go.
Captain Keith led us to a winning spot placing us on an
excellent Sanddab bite!
One of our Sanddab catches. Sanddabs do not grow large; the
world record is 1.22 lbs. Jeff, the hot stick, caught four Sanddabs on this
trip. A rockfish rig dressed with squid was the ticket.
Fishing our way back to port; Santa Monica Bay is a popular
boating venue.
As Team Pier Pressure returns to the marina for the weigh-in
on day two and partake in the remaining event festivities, the sun finally
breaks through the clouds, adding a touch of celebration to our successful day.
Chapter Five, Weigh-in Day Two
Kevin's catch for our Team’s Sanddab entry is a true
triumph. Weighing in at 10.5 ounces, it propelled us to the top, winning
the Sanddab Division. Kevin, your outstanding performance has made Team Pier
Pressure Champions!
Almost stealing the show, this 5.0 lb. Sculpin has broken
the current World Record. Ed Rhee and his delighted team members on Never
Enough were elated and highlighted how prolific our home waters of Santa Monica
Bay are.
Jim Hendricks and D the Machine. I felt very fortunate to
meet Jim at this event. Jim was the Big Fish and Big Halibut winner; he used
the event’s unique 25% live release bonus to increase his overall weight to a
winning margin. Jim is also an active CCA member, and a writer. I have read and admire his exceptional
saltwater insights.
Chapter Six, Tasty Food, an Awesome Raffle, and Spectacular Awards
Marina Del Rey Anglers Club Volunteers and CCA staff eagerly
worked on the raffle and auction items, building up the excitement for the
event.
The catering was top-notch: the tacos, rice, and beans were
exceptionally delicious. I couldn't resist having seconds; it was that good!
Anglers, families, and friends gathered at the food court,
sharing stories, catching up, enjoying good food, and creating a warm and
welcoming atmosphere. The event was filled with laughter, good food, and great
company. We had a wonderful time and can't wait for you to join us at next
year's 50th anniversary event.
The capable enthusiastic Myles Blatt, the Tournament Director, the Master
of Ceremonies, and the President of the Marina Del Rey Anglers Club, organized
and ran an exceptional event.
The raffle and awards capped off this spectacular event. The
Derby, driven by conservation, was designed to create an equal playing field
and opportunity for all anglers. Young or old, from the shore, a kayak, private
boat, or even a sport boat, anglers of all disciplines had ample opportunity to
test their skills. The sense of community and camaraderie not only created joy
and fun but also a palpable excitement, rivaling the competitiveness of sport.
I was thrilled to be a member of Team Pier Pressure, as we
truly embodied what this great event represents. A big thank you to everyone
who participated, and a special thanks to Captain Keith and my fellow teammates.
You guys are awesome and made for an unforgettable, cherished weekend on and
off the water. From the exciting moments of catching our fish to the
laughter-filled moments, everything was special.
Author's note to Team Pier Pressure: This collection of photos features my personal
images captured over the three days of the derby. I couldn't be present
everywhere to capture our entire event. If you have images you'd like to
contribute to this visual journey, please email them to me at Landscapes.dstewart@verizon.net. Thank you.
