The 2019 Young Anglers’ Tournament event took place on a beautiful summer day, Saturday August 10th at Shelter Island Pier.  109 anglers pre-registered for the tournament and another 58 registered on site. Participants and their families came from all over San Diego county including Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside, Del Mar, Coronado, Alpine, Santee, Spring Valley, El Cajon, National City, Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Ramona and Imperial Beach. Others came from Riverside, Pomona, Corona, El Centro and Pauma Valley, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fish were especially cooperative and San Diego Bay gave up catches of calico and sand bass, mackerel, opal eye, halibut and one California sheephead (that was unexpected)!  The other fish not normally found on the pier, big eye tuna showed up in the famous fish tacos expertly prepared by Tommy Gomes and his team from Catalina Offshore Products. Other lunch options provided to tournament anglers and their families were hot dogs, chips and fresh fruit provided by Specialty Produce. An informational display and copies of the California Fishing Passport were provided by CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife.  Turner’s Outdoorsman contributed to the day’s excitement by awarding four rod & reel combos to lucky participants whose names were drawn at random. Assistance with fishing tackle and scoring were provided by members of San Diego Anglers, San Diego Rod & Reel Club, San Diego Fly Fishers, United Pier & Shore Anglers of California.

There were 10 age group winners from 6 to 15 years old.  The winners received OKUMA rod & reel combos and fishing trips aboard San Diego half day boats from H&M Landing, Point Loma Sportfishing and Fisherman’s Landing. All were presented with gift certificates for Squido tackle shop and beautiful embossed IGFA certificates documenting their accomplishments. The prize for Top Angler went to 9-year-old Kenneth Tagami of Corona whose name will be engraved on the tournament perpetual trophy. Kenneth additionally received a beautiful hand-made fly presented for display by Paul Woolery of the San Diego Fly Fishers.

Congratulations to all tournament winners!  We want to especially thank our event volunteers, sponsors and the family and friends of the young anglers who supported their participation in this tournament.

More photos of the day’s action is available through this link.