All systems are go! Mark your calendars. Save the date, and start getting ready for the 38th Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby scheduled for June 8 and 9, 2013.

Marina Del Rey Anglers once again are hosting the Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby, keeping alive the long-standing tradition of LA's largest salt water angling tournament.

"The halibut are bouncing back and a lot of fun fishing is expected," said MDRA club president, Keith Lambert. "The most recent years have seen a resurgence of fish in our local waters. We are keeping the derby in June to take advantage of the peak time of the year for many of our local species. Last year we officially weighed in over 60 fish and 25 of them were over 20 pounds."

"MDRA is a sport fishing club that supports all conservation efforts and responsible fishing," said derby chairman John Szymura. "We will continue to provide weight bonuses for caught and released fish and also include species that are more abundant. The catch and release bonus system really works. Last year Daniel Ahman captured first place with his huge halibut which was given the 20% bonus for a net weight of 48.8 pounds. Had he harvested his beautiful halibut Ahman would have placed 2nd and sacrificed all of those first place prizes."

Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute will join us again in 2013 to collect halibut brood stock for their Calsbad hatchery. HSWRI still has 9 healthy halibut they collected from the 2012 MDR Halibut Derby. These fish are making babies who one day may be caught by anglers fishing along the California coast.

Sign up information will soon be available on our website at www.HalibutDerby.com or you can stop by the Halibut Derby booth at the Fred Hall Show. All derby entrants will get a limited edition derby shirt, discount membership to the MDR Anglers as well as some nice goodie bags which alone will make the derby worth their while.

Marina del Rey Anglers is a fishing and conservation group and a non profit 501(c)3 organization. The money raised from the derbies has funded the club's well known and respected MDRA Youth Fishing Program, its White Seabass Pens in Marina Del Rey and various other critical marine environmental and conservation programs. It hosts over 500 children from at risk environments and future anglers to fishing trips each summer and has released nearly 100,000 white seabass from its WSB grow out pens in Marina Del Rey. It also sponsors fun fishing charters and welcomes new members and donations.

If you would like to make a charitable donation to the MDRA Youth Fishing Program, or the Halibut Derby, Please contact John Szymura at 310-625-5638 or you can send checks and raffle items directly to MDRA, c/o John Szymura 4230 Del Rey Ave.#530, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. For more information regarding the fishing club, visit www.mdranglers.com

So, mark your calendar for June 8th & 9th 2013 as the Marina Del Rey Anglers proudly presents the 38th Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby. Come and enjoy a fun filled weekend of fishing while competing for big money prizes, jackpot, and bragging rights for the year. In addition to the general entry competition there will also be team, women's, and kid's divisions so bring the whole family along! To receive the latest updates on the derby please contact the derby chairman John Szymura at johns@mdranglers.com.