The Port of San Diego's 37th Annual Day at The Docks – the West Coast’s largest public celebration of sportfishing will take place on Sunday April 17, 2016 from 9 AM to 5 PM.  The festival marks the official start of San Diego’s spring saltwater fishing season.  There is no other event quite like San Diego’s Day At The Docks!

The event is held against the backdrop of the San Diego’s dynamic sportfishing fleet located in Point Loma at Harbor Drive and Scott Street.  The San Diego fleet is unique in many ways - it is the largest assembled sportfishing found fleet anywhere in the world.  The boats in the San Diego fleet are some of the most sophisticated, with capabilities of operating trips which in range from local ½ day trips to extended excursions of up to 21 days.  The fishing grounds targeted by the fleet are some of the world’s most productive and prolific fish-filled waters off Southern California and the coast of Mexico.

The festival attracts experienced and novice anglers and boaters, families with kids of all ages, and members of the general public - many of whom may never have set foot on a boat before.  The day brings old friends together, provides the opportunity to renew old friendships, discover new adventure opportunities, explore the latest in fishing tackle and techniques, walk aboard and tour boats in the fleet, talk with the captains and crews, take a ride on a boat and partake in the many activities planned for the day.
The festival highlights include

• Open house aboard boats in the fleet welcoming one and all
• Fishing and boating “how-to” seminars presented by an all-star lineup of captains and fishing experts
• Exhibits by more than 200 fishing tackle and boat manufacturers and community groups
• Marine art, clothing and accessories
• Cooking demos by local chefs
• Fish fillet demonstrations
• Live music and entertainment
• Contests and prizes for casting and knot tying
• Free fishing areas for kids
• A captains' dunk tank
• Drawings for thousands of dollars in prizes
• Boat rides around San Diego Bay only $3 per person

  Through the years and most recently through social media (especially Facebook) we hear from event attendees comments like: “Always... Love Day at the Docks, my family has been going since it started!”, “Super Fun! My kids caught their first fish at Day At The Docks.”, “It’s is a family tradition. We go every year!”, “I love this event, it always feels like old home week.", “I hadn’t realize this fleet existed, through Day At The Docks I discovered a new passion for the ocean.”,  “I always find great deals on fishing gear.”, “It’s great to be able to talk with the captains and crews on their own turf”. . .

Visitors arrive early and stay late.  Parking is at a premium around the Landings but FREE parking is available on Shelter Island and FREE round trip shuttle service to and from the festival is offered from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m on double decker British buses.

Day At The Docks is produced by the San Diego Sportfishing Council and sponsored by the San Diego Unified Port District and County of San Diego. 

For complete information on Port of San Diego's Day at The Docks activities and schedules, visit www.sportfishing.org.