2006 May - Fish Derby
12th Annual 2006 Monterey Bay Big Fish Derby
June 30th, July 1st, & 2nd
Once again it's Derby time in the Monterey Bay. This started out to be a very difficult year, due to the threat of Salmon Season being closed because of problems with the Klamath River Salmon run. It was not clear until March 25th if there would be any Salmon season at all. Now that the ink is dry, the Sport Salmon Season is open and all reports coming in are that there is plenty of bait and good water. The fishing has been hot and cold to date. The good news is that with the reduction of the commercial Salmon season, there should be plenty of fish in the bay all season long.
As in prior years, we will be awarding $1,000.00 for the biggest fish caught in the Derby. There will be four other cash prizes of $150.00 for the largest fish of each species caught, that did not win the grand prize. In addition, the winner of the heaviest cumulative weight over three days wins a 4-day, 3-night stay at the Hotel Buena Vista, in Baja California with meals, accommodations, and one day of fishing for two (airfare not included). A combination of any of the five species qualifies, but only one fish a day can be turned in per ticket. See the 2006 rules for complete details. The Grand Prize for the raffle will be a vacation package in
Palm Springs.
Tickets again can be purchased for $20.00 per day. A three day ticket will cost $45.00. Raffle tickets are $5.00 apiece. New this year is a chance to receive an annual subscription to Western Outdoor News for $19.99 for one year if you buy a derby ticket. It doesn’t matter if you are already a subscriber or a new subscriber. All you need to do is buy a derby ticket and you receive the discount coupon at that time. Thanks again to Western Outdoor News for supporting our hatchery.
You can buy your tickets at Bay Side Marine, at the new MTM business at the fuel dock in the Santa Cruz Harbor (formerly Shamrock), at Outdoor World, and Ernies Casting Pond in Soquel. In Salinas, check out The Tackle Box and in Hollister, the new Tackle Box. In Monterey, Chris & Randy’s Fishing Trips will be selling tickets & Outdoor World. In Moss Landing tickets will be available at Woodard’s Marine and Tom’s Sport Fishing. In Capitola, try the Pier for tickets. Tickets will also be on sale at the launch ramps in Monterey, Moss Landing, Capitola Pier and Santa Cruz Upper and Lower harbor on Derby days.
We are still looking for prizes and volunteers. The Derby is the Hatchery’s major fund raiser. Shirts, sweatshirts and hats will also be on sale. This is a very important time to support the only organization in our area that releases King Salmon into the Monterey Bay as well as Coho Salmon and Steelhead from our Hatchery on Big Creek in Davenport.
Good luck and I hope to see you there.
