Beautiful weather, a great crowd of kids, and an enthusiastic group of volunteers helped make the 3rd Annual Oceanside Pier Kids Tournament on August 4, 2012 a great success. Under the sponsorship of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC), Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle, and joined by representatives from the California Fish and Game Department and NOAA, 110 youngsters had a chance to fish and enjoy a day at the iconic pier.
Registration was organized and handled efficiently by Pam Gonsalves and her team of helpers
Several pelicans make the pier their home
Free loaner rods and reels, free bait, free hot dog lunches, raffle prizes, and free “goody bag” for every youngster helped make it a fun morning. Age group winners in each category (ages 6-15) won trophies from UPSAC, a beautiful IGFA certificate, and an autographed copy of Pier Fishing in California by Ken Jones.
UPSAC President Ken Jones giving derby instructions
Of course the chance to catch a fish was the prime motivation for the day and in many cases that meant a first fish. Fish that were caught included spotfin and yellowfin croaker, barred surfperch, walleye surfperch, Pacific mackerel, sand bass, Pacific sardine, jacksmelt, shovelnose guitarfish, thornback ray, round stingray, and a bat ray. Most kids caught “something” and all had a great time.
The kids were ready to catch some fish!
A nice spotfin croakerThe California Fish and Game Department distributed literature and helped the youngsters fill out their “Passport” booklets
Pelicans always attract a crowd
UPSAC’s Brian Linebarger helps out a youngster
At the end of the fishing each youngster and parent was given a hot dog lunch and Immediately after that each participant was given a “Goody Bag” full of prizes.
Next up was the raffle gifts with each youngster winning a gift. Gifts were donated from a large group: Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle; Pacific Bait and Tackle, Oceanside; Anglers Bait and Tackle, Oceanside; Pats Bait and Tackle, Vista; Nautical Bean Coffee, Oceanside Harbor; and J and M Bait Co. in San Marcos; Western Outdoor News.
The final event was the rewarding of the gifts to the age group winners and each age group, 6-15 had a winner. The individual age group winners were: 6-year-old, Brandon Ngo; 7-year-old, Isiah Sanchez; 8-year-old, Anthony Fowler; 9-year-old, Ben Marek; 10-year-old, Noah Silk; 11-year-old, Andreio Flores; 12-year-old, Nico Place; 13-year-old (tie), Franco Deporzi & Alfonso Paz; 14-year-old, Carlos Arango and 15-year-old, Froilan Tan.
UPSAC’s Ken Jones, NOAA’s Marty Golden, and the 6-Year-Old Winner — Brandon Ngo
7-Year-Old Winner Isiah Sanchez
8-Year-Old Winner Anthony Fowler
11-Year-Pld Winner Andreio Flores
13-Year-Old (tie), Franco Deporzi & Alfonso Paz
14-Year-Old Winner Carlos Arango
15-Year-Old Winner, Froilan Tan
The “Top Angler” Award was won by Brandon Ngo
A large event like this takes considerable time and effort but luckily the good folks at the Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle (Pam and Ed Gonsalves) were up to the challenge and they derserve a BIG THANKS!
Volunteers: From UPSAC—President, Ken Jones, Vice-President, Robert Gardner, Secretary, Brian Linebarger, and member, Richard (Big Rich) McIntosh; From IGFA—Gary Graham; From the California Department of Fish and Game—Carrie Wilson and a group of other volunteers; NOAA—Marty Golden; Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle—Owners Ed and Pam Gonsalves along with Johnny Arrage, Rebecca Dutkiewiez, Ronnie Newland, Joy Koepke, Stephen Sandberg, Sarah Cousins, Richard Vodlak, Joe Darden, Wayne Kotow, Chris Monsale, Bradley Hicks, Johathan Kotow, and Mark Neenan; Senior Anglers of Oceanside—Bill and Manuel.
UPSAC President Ken Jones, NOAA Pacific Recreational Fisheries Coordinator Marty Golden, and UPSAC Board Member Eugene Kim with his daughter Mia
Carrie Wilson (CA DF&G), Marty Golden (NOAA) and volunteers
And we bid adieu to a beautiful pier, the Oceanside Pier!