Bill Roecker for FishingVideos.com & the San Diego Sportfishing Council Net Update April 22, 2007 Day at the Docks When we got to the parking lot at San Diego's sportboat basin Sunday morning the place was already crowded. There were booths than ever, and thanks to some nice weather, more people than ever, as far as I could tell, even at eight in the morning!

It's an important event, to the Port of San Diego, to the sport boat fleet, and to local merchants and tackle sellers. Manufacturers like Seeker, Accurate, Mustad, Calstar, Izorline, Berkeley and many more were showing their latest tackle, wares, clothing, gimmicks, gadgets and what have you.

The pens of mackerel tied to the docks were loaded with fish and kids busy catching them. The kid's fishing opportunities here are the best I've seen anywhere. Watching the kids catch those mackerel would put a smile on the saddest man's face. It makes you remember the first fish you ever caught, and how exciting it was.

Joe Pfister showed me some of the high points of his new line of Super Seeker rods. "We're using 100% titanium guides now," said Joe, "and 120 Graphite and S-glass in the composite. The grips are EPDM, which retains grip and reduces hand fatigue. We're making our own reel seats from 6061 aluminum, and the Super Seekers are double-coated, triple-wrapped blanks."

Dean Yoshizumi of Blackwater had a booth with his fluorocarbon, line and Spectra brands. Bill Poole was signing copies of his new book, "Fish or Cut Bait," and George Swarburg was doing some business with his Knobbies, a soft cushion for the butt of a light tackle rod that eliminates the need for a belt.

Izorline was well-represented, with a knot-tying contest being run by Deena Nelson-Baker and Dave Archibald. I believe I saw someone get 90 pounds of strength from a knot tied with 80-pound Izor.

I heard someone was selling Crocs, my favorite deck shoes, at two pairs for 30 bucks. I headed that way right off, but never got there. I got stopped several times to renew acquaintances, and never found the place. Oh, well.

Pete Haynes was on stage, telling a crowd how to pull on fish with the short-stroke method. John Rowe and his helpers were making some outstanding tackle deals at the Friends of Rollo booth. There's no better charity I know than this, that takes thousand of kids fishing.

The US Coast Guard had a cutter tied up, the San Diego Police had a booth, boat dealers bordered the street, and there was so much tackle and food around you could get confused trying to make a choice.

It looked like Fisherman's Landing had half the store outside, selling well. Bob Kotula had help in the Mustad booth, where he was showing off hundreds of different hooks and some new scents.

Something for everybody; that's what Day at the Docks is all about. Thanks to a little break in the weather, this year's event came off just fine. It was a good day at the docks.