OCTOBER, 2001

With the horror and tragedies of Sept. 11 still in our minds it is with a somber attitude that we try to go forward. Unfortunately, the security measures imposed on San Diego Harbor made planned activities impossible. As a result, the Club felt that it was in everyone’s best interests to cancel the Small Boat Tournament, scheduled for Sept. 15-16 (see below). In the meantime, scattered fishing slowly resumed as we try to get back to – no, not normal – but to a familiar pattern. As information becomes available, we shall try to keep you informed.

Prior to the events of Sept. 11^th the Club’s 2^nd Annual Invitational Offshore Tag & Release Tournament. Held on Sept. 7^th and 8^th 15 boats, gyros in one hand and cameras in the other, set out in search of the elusive billfish. Unfortunately, the Marlin had departed our local waters and the only game in town was the Northern "arena" near the 14 Mile Bank towards Dana and Avalon. On the 1^st day of competition "Captain Hook II" starting things in – not bright – but gray-light and early with a sleeper at 0615. As the day progressed there were steady reports of caught and released fish with "Hook" getting a second and "C Bandit" getting on the board. In the last hour of competition both "Hook" and the "Bandit" hooked up and while fighting their fish, "C Bandit" latched onto another. All three of these fish were finally caught, tagged, photographed and released putting the two boats into a tie for 1^st Place.

The 2^nd day brought a flurry of activity early in the morning and three fish were caught, tagged, and released. Of these, one was caught by "Capt. Hook II" giving them the lead and eventually a 1^st Place finish in the tournament. They also won both of the daily Jack-pots and their final reward was $18,845 "C Bandit" finished 2^nd earning $2,925 and "Team Riviera" with the earliest of the single fish scorers took 3^rd earning $1,950 for their efforts.

The final totals were 12 fish for the 15 boats. Needless to say, there were several other lost fish. All those flying fish you saw were mackeral being tossed here and there with bait accounting for the majority of all the fish of the total. The first "pop-up" tag deployed in West Coast tournament history (due to activate on 3-2-02) was placed by the "C Bandit." Three additional "pop-up" tags scheduled for activation on 1-4-02 were deployed by "Captain Hook II," "Hot Pursuit," and "Retozo." A fourth 1-4-02 tag was deployed by the "Legend" after hours. The High World Billfish Series Angler Award of $1,000 went to Cam Boyd on the "Captain Hook II" and the Best Photograph was awarded to the "Hot Pursuit."

Marlin Club members BILL McWETHY on "C Bandit" and CARL NELSON on "Carlota" were among the scorers.

Next up on the schedule was the Small Boat Tournament. The days prior to the tournament were interrupted by the National Nightmare and Terror in New York and Washington. This tied up the harbor with all incoming traffic being stopped and searched leading to the decision to cancel the Tournament. The tournament has now been rescheduled for Sat.-Sun. Oct. 6-7 – the same week-end as the Mission Bay Marlin Club "Heart" Tournament.

Likewise, the I.L.T.T. was rescheduled as well. The shortage of fish within the 40 mile limit prompted the Board to make the move. Thus, the tournament will now be held on Sat., Oct 13^th with the Awards program the following day. Of course, as soon as the 40 mile shortage was announced TRENT HULS’ "Marlin Man" released one 7 miles outside of Oceanside. And a 287 pd. Marlin was taken at the 209 a few days earlier during one of the Catalina "money" tournaments. The end of the month has seen the big show and bite off Catalina and the "14" drying up. Can "they" be moving south???? In time for the local tournaments? As the JASPERS might say: "Let’s Wait-N-Sea."

The end of the month brought the Annual "Make-A-Wish" Tuna Challenge co-sponsored by the Kona Kai Anglers and the Southwestern Y.C. Anglers. If there is anyone reading this who didn’t fish in this competition the results indicated the relative shortage of quality Tuna (i.e. BigEye or the large economy sized BlueFin) in our local waters. 113 boats participated in the competition with Albacore and Yellowfin Tuna in the mid-20’s (and an occasional low 30s of each) providing the bulk of the quality catch. However, the winning team with the only BigEye Tuna seen in local waters in the past month or so (90.5 pds) was the – uh – sh, I’m trying to remember – it’s on the tip of my tongue – got it! – "Ken-Dan" including Marlin Club members KEN MORRIS and yours truly, along with David Thomas and Ian Orr, our happy angler, who "guested" with us along with his wife Gayle. Detailed Results...

IN MEMORIUM

In addition to reporting the news of the month as pertains to Marlin Club and other fishing activities it is all too often that it becomes necessary to report on the passing of some of our fellow members, friends, spouses or just plain fishing buddies. While this kind of sad information pales in significance when compared to the events of Sept. 11, it is still necessary to keep you informed.

This past month we lost two members who had made their mark in local fishing circles. STU WINTERS and his boat "Una Mas" were regular participants in the various local fishing activities and strong supporters of the Marlin Club competitions. STU, who fit the description of one of the "hard core fishermen," also was one of TRENT HULS’ "regulars" and will certainly be missed.

To speak of the passing of JORDY WEITZMAN is doubly difficult for JORDY was a very close friend for over 30 years. He was a world renown and respected Pediatric Surgeon often working throughout the night on premature infants in the 1 pound class. He often bragged that he could start an I.V. on a humming bird out on a moving boat – and probably could. On his boat "HAVEN" out of Marina Del Rey he was a regular visitor to the southland and loved the hunt for the longfins as much as any of us. He also was a member of our ILTT teams when we finished 1^st in Division II in 1980 and 2^nd in Division II in 1982. In addition to his fishing exploits he was known to many of us as a warm, compassionate human being and several San Diegans, including MARK HENWOOD, CARL and JOHN ADRIANNY and various members of my own family are all the better for having known him. Buenos Noches, mi Amigo – vaya con dios.

NEW MEMBERS: moving along we wish to welcome to the Club TOM BERG, 456 Skyview, El Cajon, 92020, 619-441-2779; DON ROBINSON, 3165 Mandan Way, S.D., 92117; and JIM TINDARO, 5542 Coral Reef Ave., La Jolla, 92037, res:(858)272-0380,bus(858)490-6910. Also joining the Club this past summer were: PAUL DOLINDY,16351 Spartan Circle, Huntington Beach, CA 92649; TROY FITZGERALD, HCR 72 Box 21, Mosquero, NM,87733,(505)673-2346; and ED SMITH, PO Box 314, Rancho Santa Fe, 92067,(858)483-2675

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SUBSCRIBER OF THE MONTH

With the current season still in progress accurate information is something that we all look for and is hard to do without. In our own club, a member of the Club’s Board of Directors, we have BOB VANIAN whose 976Bite web site and phone service is one such source of this information. BOB is right on top of everything going on out there and not too many fish are caught (or even seen) that he doesn’t know about or report to us. If you value this kind of service and aren’t already a subscriber we whole heartedly recommend that you give BOB and his service a try.

FROM THE HELM: On a very serious note this message comes to you from Club President DAVE VERDUGO. In recent months, in attempting to improve the Club (painting, carpeting, staffing, etc) it has been necessary to utilize virtually the Club’s entire working capital, In fact, it has been necessary to dip into the Club reserves. This has been done to make the Club more comfortable and enjoyable for you, the membership. But no business can continue when expenses outstrip income.

Income for the Club comes mainly from the membership dues, but a very large percentage comes from income derived from Club events, mainly the various tournaments the Club sponsors, but also from the incidental raffles conducted along with these events. Thus, it is extremely important for the membership to not only participate in our various tournaments, but to also participate in the associated raffles as well. Yes, it is true that the fishing has been somewhat less than "wide open," but, as all fishermen (and women) know - there are no guarantees once we leave the dock and wet the lines. Today’s disappointments can often be tomorrow’s bonanza.

The rescheduled Small Boat Tournament is coming up on Saturday, Oct. 6^th and we urge you small boaters to come on in and join the party. Of course, this newsletter and

this plea may miss that week-end, but we have the Club’s rescheduled Annual Invitational Light Tackle Tournament (ILTT) coming up the next week-end on Saturday, October 13^th. This may even mark the end of the local "season," but here is a chance to come out and show the Club that you are truly interested in giving your support. It’s only a one day event and your participation is really (reely?) needed. So please join us and don’t forget the Awards dinner (and, of course, the raffle) the next day, Sunday, Oct. 14^th. Information and applications are available at the Club, call 222-8677 or try the web site: www.themarlinclub.com.

We wish we could guarantee everyone "catching," but "fishing" is what it is all about. Please, we need your help.  

THE MARLIN CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
2445 SHELTER ISLAND DRIVE
SAN DIEGO, CA 92106