It is time to sign up to fish and win! Anglers across Southern California are getting ready for the 38th Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby scheduled for June 8th and 9th. It will be a fun filled weekend of fishing while competing for big money, prizes, jackpot, and bragging rights for the year.

The top ten anglers this year will walk away with some valuable prizes with the top prize being a 4 day lodging, 3 day fishing package along with a $500 travel voucher to Sitka Point Lodge in Alaska to battle some BIG Halibut. Make sure to enter the jackpot as well for a chance at an additional $2,000 (Based on 200 entrants) to go with your vacation. All entrants will receive a limited edition T-shirt and a delicious BBQ dinner from Outback Catering at the awards banquet. In addition to the general entry competition there will also be a team, women's, and children's division with prizes for the top 3 anglers in each category.

Didn't place? Don't worry! If you liked last year's raffle you will LOVE this years'. Thanks to many generous sponsors there will be thousands of dollars in rods, reels, trips, apparel, and other items to raffling off. So all entrants can still make out like a bandit.

Last year's anglers were treated to great weather, good food, and best of all... Good fishing! Over 60 fish were weighed in and 25 of them were over 20 pounds with the winning fish being a whopping 40 pound Halibut caught by local angler Daniel Ahman. Thanks to a 20% weight bonus for a verified released fish, Daniel was able to cash in on a trip to the East Cape courtesy of Van Wormer Resorts and a hefty cash jackpot.

While prizes are great keep in mind that this charity fishing event funds two great causes. The money raised by the Halibut Derby goes towards funding MDR Youth Fishing Program and the White Sea Bass Pens in MDR. Every year Marina Del Rey Anglers take over 500 at risk and disabled youth fishing and have released over 100,000 juvenile White Sea Bass. Without plenty of anglers participating they would not be able to continue with these two programs that give back so much to the community.

Conservation is a cornerstone of the Marina Del Rey Anglers efforts. Working hand in hand with groups like Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation and Hubbs SeaWorld on scientific and sustainable ocean efforts. MDRA wants to minimize the impact of the derby to our local Halibut fishery. The derby is doing this by continuing with the multi species format, weight bonus for verified release of live fish, and a event date outside of prime breeding months. With the multi species format the heaviest White Sea Bass, bag of 5 Calico Bass, or bag of 5 Rockfish could win over a Halibut. This year's weight bonus is being increased from 20% to 25% for live fish released at the dock by Mike Shane of Hubbs SeaWorld. See the rules page at www.halibutderby.com for full details. Between a rebounding fishery, extremely generous sponsors and good weather prospects the fishermen are looking forward to a really fun weekend for all anglers in this event. Sign up on the web or sign up in person June 5th, 6th, and 7th at Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey. Hours of the park sign-ups are from 3 pm to 9pm.

They expect the biggest crowds at the last minute sign ups to be on Thursday June 6th when the Free Halibut Fishing Seminar takes place at 7:30 pm. Also at the Burton Chase Park in the community room. A professional fishing guide and captain will be giving expert tips to all the anglers. See you there!!!