Neatly shoehorned in between Friday's tsunami, and Sunday's rainstorm, the 2011 Sand Crab Classic Surfperch Derby proved an astounding success. Over 250 anglers took part in the annual tournament, and as usual, high quality perch were weighed in for trophies and prizes.

In the senior division, Clinton Moran took first place, with a 2-pound 12-ounce Monterey pile perch that measured 16 7/8 inches. For his big win, Moran was rewarded with a Lamiglass casting rod hand-wrapped by Ron Martin and equipped with an Ambassadeur 6500 reel donated by Bayside Marine. Karl Barker followed as a close second with a North Coast calico weighing 2pounds 9 ounces. A 2pound 3 ounce black perch netted Matt Michie 3d place trophy.

This year the women's division was topped by Kim Patterson, who caught a beautiful striped perch from Capitola that measured 13 1/8 inches and tipped the scale at 1pound 6 ounces. The competitive youth division featured a repeat winner. Justin Morris from Alameda fished his secret spot in Monterey and used mussels as bait for a 1pound 13 ounce black. Winner of the most exotic catch of the day was 4 year old David Guthery, who pulled in a 25-pound water tank at Black's Beach in Santa Cruz, most likely flotsam from the previous day's tsunami disaster at the Santa Cruz Harbor. All 1st place winners received rod and reel combos as part of their prize package. Most important, of course are the bragging rights they all can enjoy for the coming year.

Conceived seven years ago by Mike Baxter from The Let's Go Fishing Radio Show, the annual Sand Crab Classic was intended to provide some wintertime fun for shore bound local anglers while raising support for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project. The tourney quickly bloomed to a major Northern California event, with participants coming from as far as Crescent City on a yearly basis. Local and national businesses assist with donations that are auctioned or raffled at the banquet. The tourney is becoming known for the quality and quantity of items. Notable again this year was the incredible donation of a four-stroke Mercury outboard motor from Moore and Sons Outboard Motors, hand-held vhf radios from Johnson and Hicks Marine Electronics as well as tackle and other fishing equipment from Bayside Marine and Outdoor World, to name just a few.

Mark your calendars. Next year's derby will be held on Saturday March 10, 2012, and entries will be limited to the 1st 300 sign-ups. We will keep you posted as the date approaches for this "can't miss" event.