|
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!
The entrant list topped 100 anglers this year. Next year we are going to have to open it up to everyone, which means finding a different venue for the BBQ and awards ceremony, as the Yacht Club allows only 100. We were a bit over that number this year. We will kep you posted on details and location for next year when the date approaches.
Check
out our photo GALLERY
for more pictures from the 2009 Sand Crab Classic Perch
Tournament
Allen's Report in the Sentinel
By Allen Bushnell - Sentinel Correspondent
Posted: 03/02/2009 01:30:43 AM PST
Considering we are in the middle of our slow season for fishing in the Monterey Bay Area, this was a big weekend featuring tons of action.
Most notable was the long-awaited Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby held on Saturday. One hundred and fifty perch anglers gathered in the pre-dawn darkness to check in to the fifth annual Perch Fishing Derby. This benefit event is the brainchild of Mike Baxter, host of the Let's Go Fishing Radio Show on KSCO 1080, and raises support each year for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project.
After the 7 a.m. check-in, contestants scattered far and wide to pursue the wily surfperch that are moving in to spawn along the beaches and rocky shorelines of Monterey Bay. A few anglers traveled as far as Monterey or Carmel on their hunt, and good catches were reported from the West Cliff Drive area and Davenport Landing. A variety of perch species were reported caught, including pile perch, walleye, striped, black, rainbow and of course the barred surfperch.
Winning the Senior Men's Division this year was Santa Cruz's
Zack Mitchell, who used mussels as bait to entice a giant
15-inch pile perch from the beaches "somewhere south
of Moss Landing." Mike Barbaccia took second in the
Seniors with a 14ø-inch barred surfperch caught fishing
Rio Del Mar. Third for Men's Senior was Matt Michie, who
used pile worms to catch a pile perch that measured in at
14½ inches.
Local Rachel Reed, who fished Davenport for a 12¼-inch barred surfperch, took the Women's division handily. "Baja Bev" Seltzer won a three-way tie for second place in the women's division as her barred surfperch weighed in as heaviest of three matching 11-inchers.
Repeating his win from last year, Alameda's Justin "Minnow Magnet" Morris fished the Monterey rocks and returned with a 14-inch pile perch. Perennial placer Kristoffer Paterson, who caught a 13½-inch barred surfperch from the pocket beaches below Opal Cliffs, followed him closely.
Avid surf-caster and local DFG biologist Ken Oda enjoyed the day's activities despite his failure to place in the winner's circle.
"Nice derby, good food and people, and great turnout! The Sand Crab Classic has the same feel of the club derbies that my dad and grandfather entered -- down to the trophies -- in Monterey years ago. They were fun and had a sense of community like this one," he said.
Everyone enjoyed the banquet at the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, and additional support for the MBSTP was raised via raffle. Big thanks go to the host of sponsors, both local and national. Most notable this year was Moore and Sons Outboards, who donated a new Mercury outboard for auction. Most participants left the banquet not only with good memories, but also tackle, clothing, hats, rods and reels and other fishing paraphernalia.
-- Allen Bushnell
Bushnell's fish report can also be heard on KSCO 1080-AM, Friday mornings at 6:45 a.m. Please send your fishing reports or pictures, questions and comments to: scruzfishing@yahoo.com.
Bill Karr from Western Outdoor News attended this year's derby, and wrote an "ON THE SPOT" report for WON:
click
HERE to link to his report and pix.
Results and report for previous Derbies:
The 4th Annual Sand Crab Classic click HERE
The 3d annual Sand Crab classic click HERE
Contact us for more info: scruzfishing@yahoo.com |
Zack
Mitchell took it all this year. WTG!!