Photo Credit: Day At The Docks

Contact Gary Graham
760. 522.3710
ggraham@sportfishing.org
April 22, 2009

After months of planning, exhibitors representing every facet of sportfishing, put the final touches on their booths as the aisles filled with anglers and their families for the Port of San Diego’s 30th Annual Day at the Docks.

John ‘Hopalong’ Cassidy, co-host of the Sunday evening “Rod & Reel” Radio show on 540AM in San Diego and 1260AM in Los Angeles, was emcee for the event. The band, Pound Dog, set an upbeat mood for the day’s festivities, followed by Bayou Brothers and the Three Legged Dog-True Fishermen Musicians who closed out the day.

Many captains and crews of the largest sportfishing fleet in the world greeted visitors as they toured boats ranging in size from smaller day boats to large well-equipped long-range vessels, which travel thousands of miles for weeks at a time in search of the best fishing the Pacific has to offer.

Seminars conducted by recognized industry experts covered topics that included boating safety, cooking, sushi preparation, fishing techniques, rigging, knot tying, kayaking and rod selection.

Thousands of dollars of fishing items donated by sportfishing boat owners, exhibitors and area businesses were raffled off throughout the day with the proceeds going to the San Diego Burn Institute. West Marine, an Anglers’ Legacy sponsor, donated an Advanced Marine Inflatable valued at $3,100.

In the food court, Tommy Gomes of Catalina Offshore Products, along with his team of helpers, manned Tommy’s Fish Taco Stand which raised $2,500, a new record, for the Monarch School, which works to provide an accredited education to homeless and at-risk kids while caring for their basic needs.

The crowd was lined up to Capsize the Captain at the dunking booth hosted by Capt. Andy Cates. All the proceeds went to the Friends of Rollo, a non-profit organization that sends kids fishing.

Kids Fishing Adventure allowed every child to catch a mackerel, many for the first time and Kid’s Art Contest provided a chance to try out a kayak.

Many attendees took advantage of the opportunity to take a boat ride on San Diego Bay aboard one of the several sportfishing boats providing tours.

San Diego Sportfishing Council, with support from the San Diego Unified Port District and the County of San Diego, produces the event.