7th ANNUAL YOUNG ANGLERS TOURNAMENT RESULTS

On Saturday July 25th 2009, 158 young anglers competed in the 7th Annual Young Anglers Tournament held at the Shelter Island Pier on San Diego Bay. An incoming tide which crested at 12:45 and an offshore swell contributed to a day which saw a quantity of qualifying catches including halibut, calico bass and mackerel. Anglers were invited to use their own gear or use rod & reel combos provided by Okuma Fishing Tackle.

Winners were awarded in each of ten age categories based on a point system valuing the number of fish and species caught. Two anglers tied in the 7 Year Old category. Catch and release was encouraged.

The winners in each age category were:

6 Year Old: Anthony Salorio, San Diego

7 Year Old: Chaz Hallmark, San Diego & Ryan Rosati, Chula Vista

8 Year Old: Makenna Hruska, San Diego

9 Year Old: Thomas Orozco, Union City, CA

10 Year Old: Justin Magno, San Diego

11 Year Old: Tyler Luz, San Diego

12 Year Old: Adam Doyle, San Diego

13 Year Old: Joey Luquin, Chula Vista

14 Year Old: Darius Ngo, San Diego

15 Year Old: David Evans, El Cajon

The overall winner of the day’s tournament was 14 year old Darius Ngo of San Diego, whose score was 83 points. His name will be engraved on the Young Anglers Perpetual Trophy which remains on display at the pier.

Each top angler received an embossed IGFA certificate, an IGFA Junior Angler Membership in IGFA, a rod and reel combo by OKUMA Fishing Tackle and an assortment of other prizes which included fishing trips from Pt. Loma Sportfishing’s 1/2 day boat Daily Double and 3/4 day boat Point Loma, H & M Landing’s ½ day boat Premier and 3/4 day boat Malihini, certificates for miniature fish mounts by World Wide Fish Mounts, admission to Legoland, retail gift cards provided by Hawthorne Caterpillar, and kayak and rod rentals from Sharkey’s Shelter Island Pier concession.

A lunch of hot dogs and Tommy Gomes' famous fish tacos was provided to participating anglers and their families by Stumps Village Market of Rancho Santa Fe, Specialty Produce and Catalina Offshore Products. A free drawing delivered prizes to all participating anglers making every young angler a winner.

Tournament Photos are available at http://picasaweb.google.com/cathchalfant/IGFAJuly09?authkey=Gv1sRgCPy445r-1e3HNQ# The Young Anglers Tournament was sponsored by the International Game Fish Association, San Diego Sportfishing Council and Port of San Diego. The production team for the tournament included members of the San Diego Rod & Reel Club, San Diego Anglers and United Pier and Shore Anglers of California.

Prizes, bait and terminal tackle were provided by American Maple, Angler’s Distributing, Berkley & 7 Strand, Bloody Decks, Bob’s Number 1 Tackle, Booyaa, California Rod Rack, Charles Beck, Coolest Shoes in California, Everingham Brothers Bait, Fisherman’s Landing Tackle, Friends of Rollo & Seaforth Tackle Shop, H & M Landing, Hawthorne Catapillar, Legoland, Mariposa Ice Cream, Okuma Fishing Tackle, Pelagic, Point Loma Sportfishing, Queasy Pops, Sharky’s at Shelter Island, Sunrise Tackle, West Marine, World Wide Fish Mounts and Zebco.