The Sandcrab Classic Perch Tournament concluded last Saturday, and by all accounts was a rousing success! Over 400 people gathered at the Portuguese Hall in Santa Cruz for the weigh-in, raffle and BBQ. Conceived and coordinated by Mike Baxter and the Let's Go Fishing Radio Show, this is the tenth anniversary Perch Derby event. Deliberately scheduled in our "off" fishing season, the Derby was created for a few cooperative purposes.


First, it is "something to do when there's nothing to do," after rockfish season closes and before salmon season opens, when many anglers are developing a bad case of cabin fever. Second, it's a community event and effort, a gathering of the extended angling clan from Santa Cruz and beyond, with an emphasis on parents and children attending, and commensurate trophies for all ages.


And finally, the Perch Derby serves as a mainstay fundraising vehicle for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project. MBSTP is a grassroots, independent and non-profit organization that focuses on rehabilitation and renewal of our local salmonid habitat and populations. The group has fostered and released literally millions of fish into local waters, and is key to the preservation of these most beautiful and challenging game fish of our area.


For 2014, the Derby featured double prizes and trophies for the classic Barred Surf Perch, as well as all other species of perch. A new record winner was recorded when Grace Volz weighed in her three-pound, 16 ?? -inch Barred Surf Perch, the biggest we have ever seen in ten years of holding the derby! Volz took top honors with that fish followed closely by her husband Brian Volz who submitted a 2-pound 11-ounce BSP for 2d place. The Volz' used GULP Sandcrabs at an undisclosed location for their winning catches.


In the "Upcoming Superstars" category, Samara Cortazzo took home the first place Juniors trophy with a one-pound 13-ounce rubberlip perch, caught on a pileworm off of West Cliff in Santa Cruz. Keanna Miller captured second place handily. Miller submitted a one-pound, nine-ounce rubberlip from the West Cliff area, but used a shrimp/grub combination as bait. And, Jake Sporleder followed with a close third-place trophy fish, a one-pound, six-ounce rubberlip he fooled with a lure from the West Cliff area.


With over 40 volunteers, more than two-dozen business sponsors, and of course the 300 contestant entries, there are too many to thank personally in this short column. Suffice it to say that you know who you are, and our gratitude is as deep as the Monterey Bay Marine Canyon. A full leaderboard sheet and additional Derby pictures will be posted at www.theletsgofishingradioshow.com.


Bushnell can also be heard Friday mornings at 6:45 on KSCO radio 1080 AM. Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com.