"Offshore Invitational Update"   -  R. Hamilton Aug-13-00, 01:01 PM (PDT)

I would like to personally and publicly thank Mike "Sinkers" Sinclair and the crew from Bluewater Magazine for their generous donation of Craig Smith signed billfish prints, Magazines, lure bags and Bluewater apparel which will augment the already tremendous single ticket raffle and charity benefit silent auction to be held at the tournament's awards dinner. They are also sending out Rick Gaffney, well know outdoor writer from Kona to cover the event. Though not an "official" sponsor, Bluewater's commitment to this event is both significant and greatly appreciated. A perfect example of a first class publication and organization. Thank You.

I would also like to thank the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). They have agreed to puchase an additional pop-up satellite tag to be used during the tournament. These tags will help determine migration routes of local Marlin and hopefully suppy valuable data to assist fisheries managers in their upcoming HMS plan development. RFA's commitment to the West Coast and our fisheries is very significant and we at the Marlin Club of San Diego are proud to be affilliated with them. Join RFA today!

On those same lines, I just recieved word that Microwave Telemety, the makers of these tags, will upgrade the "RFA" tag to the state of the art model at no additional charge. These tags will provide daily position updates as well as depth, speed and water temp readings! These will be the first tags of their kind to ever be deployed in Southern California!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our "official" sponsors, without them this event would not be possible. Thank you to the San Diego regional McDONALDS, RIVIERA YACHTS, MIKELSON YACHTS, PROPELLER SOLUTIONS, HAWTHORNE POWER SYSTEMS (An authorized Caterpillar Dealer) and COURTESY CHEVROLET for their generous donations. Their products and services will be on display at the various tournament functions. They are the best that San Diego has to offer, patronize their businesses if you can.

PRECISION MARINE HARDWARE will be supplying each team with an 8' custom tag stick. FISHERMAN'S LANDING TACKLE will be supplying custom rods matched with SHIMANO reels for the awards dinner raffle. PHANTOM MARINE ELECTRONICS will be assisting with communication needs as well as supplying raffle products. SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE will be supplying raffle products (and have been long time supporters of the Marlin Club.) and TAG AND BRAG SPORTSWEAR will be supplying the "Tag and Brag Conservation Award" a very worthy prize for the collection of marlin DNA samples!

GRANDE sportfishing is providing "THE GRANDE TUNA AWARD" for the largest tuna, HOOK,LINE AND SINKER is supplying great products for the raffle and team bags, THE SUNGLASS AND OPTICAL WAREHOUSE is supplying, you guessed it, sunglasses, ZUKER LURES is supplying their awesome lures and a special thanks to AFTCO and SEEKER for supplying components for the custom rods.

Remember, this is an IGFA "ITOC" qualifying tournament-the only one in Southern California! ALL participants recieve an IGFA record book and a one year membership to IGFA as well as a shot at an ivitation to the ROLEX/IGFA Tournament of Champions in KONA next year.

One of the most important aspects of this tournament is the tie to Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, this group performs amazing things in the community and we're hopeful that we can generate a significant financial benefit to them so that they can continue to help others.

There have been over 50 requests for invitations and spaces are filling at a steady clip, but room is still available! Join us in the most progressive tournament format on the West Coast of North America and the best tournament value ever! Call (619)222-8677 to request an invitation.