Young anglers ages 6 through 15 are invited to compete in the 17th Annual Young Anglers’ Tournament Saturday, August 10th at the Shelter Island Pier, located at 1776 Shelter Island Drive. Anglers of all levels of experience (or no experience) are welcome. The tournament is free to all participants. No fishing licenses are required.

The tournament will feature a points system to allow for catch and release. Winners - one in each age category between six and 15 - will be determined by adding up points for various fish caught. The catch has normally included mackerel, bass, halibut, croaker and rock fish. And almost every year there is a surprise catch that no one anticipated!  Winning anglers will receive beautiful embossed IGFA certificates, fishing rods and reels, fishing trips and other prizes.  

The angler with the most points overall will be recognized as the Tournament Champion on the event’s perpetual trophy. In 2018 the Tournament Champion was 13-year-old Jeremiah Ninonuevo of Chula Vista.

International Game Fish Association representatives and volunteers from the United Pier and Shore Anglers, San Diego Rod & Reel Club, San Diego Anglers and San Diego Flyfishers will be on hand to assist young anglers and to tally points.  The pier will host informative displays by California Department of Fish & Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Conservation of California, Turner’s Outdoorsman and the local fishing clubs.

Young anglers in the competition are encouraged to bring their own fishing tackle, if they have it.  Loaner rods and reels will be available to participants who preregister and request them and for those who register onsite on a first-come, first-served basis. Cut bait will be available to all participating anglers.

Registration for the tournament is available in advance online at this link: https://form.jotform.com/81765898392174.  Complete information on the event and on-line registration is easily found on the San Diego Sportfishing Council’s website at www.sportfishing.org.  Advance online registration saves time the morning of the tournament.  Onsite registration the day of the tournament begins at 7:30 AM.  Fishing begins at 8:30 AM and ends promptly at 12 noon.  Prizes will be awarded by 1 PM. 

A complimentary lunch of hot dogs, chips and fish tacos will be served to all registered anglers, courtesy of Friends of Sportfishing, Tommy Gomes with Catalina Offshore Products and Specialty Produce.

This free fishing event is produced by the San Diego Sportfishing Council with support from IGFA, the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation program and the County of San Diego Community Enhancement program.

Tournament sponsors include OKUMA Fishing Tackle, Fathom Bistro, Squidco, Uni-Goop, Turner’s Outdoorsman, Big Hammer Lures, Berkeley Big Gulp, Anglers Distributing, Everingham Brothers Bait Co., Point Loma Sportfishing, H&M Landing and Fisherman’s Landing.  Prizes and raffle drawing items for the tournament include rods and reels, hats, t-shirts, fishing gear and deep sea fishing trips.  Loaner gear, bait, and tackle are provided by Okuma Fishing Tackle, Anglers Distributing, Squidco, Pacific Tackle, Pucci & Sons, Dolphin Tackle and Anglers Arsenal.

The San Diego Sportfishing Council is a California non-profit corporation established in 1979 to promote San Diego sportfishing as an attractive marine recreational activity and to increase participation in the sport and awareness of sportfishing opportunities from San Diego Bay. The Young Anglers’ Tournament is part of a larger Youth Fishing Program produced by the Sportfishing Council.

For more information, please call the San Diego Sportfishing Council at (619) 234-8793 or log onto the website at www.sportfishing.org.