You’ve got to get up early to have time to set up for a tournament.

Boyd Grant, local UPSAC Coordinator and Director of the Goleta Pier Angler Center, cleaning the pier

The participants were local youth, which included a large contingency of Cub Scouts from the Los Padres Council of BSA, along with forty-two parents, and fourteen enthusiastic volunteers from United Pier and Shore Anglers of California. Representing UPSAC was President Ken Jones, Vice President Robert Gardner, Treasurer James Liu, Secretary Brian Linebarger, and Board members Hashem Nahid, Eugene Kim and Boyd Grant (also manager of the Goleta Pier Angler Center). Representing Santa Barbara County was Supervisor Janet Wolf and County Parks Deputy Director Erik Axelson. Representing NOAA and their Ethical Angler Program was Marty Golden. Representing West Marine was Ben Eggli. Representing the Oceanside Bait & Tackle shop was Pam and Ed Gonsalves. The sponsors were United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC), the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), and NOAA (and its Ethical Angling Program).

UPSAC volunteers at the Angler Center

Many of the youngsters brought their own rods and reels, but loaner outfits were provided by IGFA for those without tackle. Free bait and terminal tackle was provided for all participants by UPSAC. Both organizations supplied lunch. Saturday morning the UPSAC crew split into groups, some cutting bait, some rigging the rods and reels, and some prepping the food for lunch. Later lunch was served while the prizes were divided up awaiting the presentation at the unique Goleta Pier Angler Center (the only such center on California’s 100+ public piers).

Loaner rods

Redfish (Robert Gardner) tying a leader

Sylvania cutting bait

Banners

Registration

The crowd

UPSAC’s Ken Jones and NOAA’s Marty Golden giving instructions

UPSAC’s James Liu and NOAA’s Marty Golden

NOAA’s Marty Angling discusses “Ethical Angling”

After introductions, and a short presentation on Ethical Angling by Marty Golden, the youngsters fished for three hours.

The bait was ready

UPSAC’s Brian Linebarger handing out bait

Picking out a rod

Father and son

Although the weather was overcast and drizzly, and the fishing was only so, so, spending a few hours on an old wooden pier over the Pacific is always fun. Dropping a fishing line into the Pacific Ocean, in kelp-filled water near mussel-encrusted pilings, and wondering what kind of fish might grab the bait was an instant attraction enjoyed by the forty-seven youngsters from ages 6 to 14. The chance to win a prize, and, for some, the chance to earn a Cub Scout “fishing” badge were additional incentives to ensure enthusiasm.

A young angler with a young sculpin (scorpionfish)

Marty Golden helping a youngster

Fishing is a time to bond

Waitin’ for a bite

Be patient

Brian Linebarger helps unhook a small rockfish

“I got one, I got one!”

Another small rockfish

Brian Linebarger unhooking a small perch

Warren Liu and some fellow “Scouts”

Ed Gonsalves brings some needed hot chocolate

Lunch time

Elaine Liu

Following the fishing, Supervisor Wolf helped present the raffle prizes with each participant receiving a prize. Companies that contributed gifts included the Channel Islands Sportfishing (Oxnard), Stardust Sportfishing (Santa Barbara), Beachside Café (Goleta), West Marine (Santa Barbara), The Tidepool (Cayucos), Fish Taco Chronicles magazine, Pacific Coast Sportfishing magazine and NOAA.

Santa Barbara Supervisor Janet WolfSanta Barbara County Parks Deputy Director Erik Axelson

Checking raffle tickets

Next the age division winners were announced with results based upon the fish caught. Each winner won a rod and reel, a copy of Pier Fishing in California, and an impressive certificate from IGFA. The winners were:  Six Year Old —Conner Acuna; Seven Year Old—Ethan Bresk; Eight Year—Nikolas Valenti; Nine Year Old—a tie—Andrew Bresk and Nicholas Colaneri; Ten Year Old—Ian Taver; Thirteen Year Old—Josh Acuna; Fourteen Year Old—Duncan Stewart.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf and UPSAC President Ken Jones present a winner his gifts

Last but not least were the “Goody Bags” containing a variety of smaller prizes. The youngsters and parents alike were amazed at the number of gifts presented. Everyone agreed that the tournament was a success and the organizers vowed that next year the tournament will be even bigger and better.

UPSAC President Ken Jones and Pam Gonsalves from the Ocreanside Pier Bait & Tackle prepare “Goody Bags”

A tired but happy group of volunteers at the end of the day