San Diego’s International Yellowtail Derby

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San Diego’s International Yellowtail Derby is a World Class fishing tournament reminiscent of San Diego’s famous Yellowtail Derby of the 50s and 60s. Meet Miss Yellowtail Derby 2018, Searra Vandervoort at Arizona Boating & Watersports / San Diego’s International Yellowtail Derby booth at Day At The Docks on April 15. Sign up with Searra on Sunday for the derby. The Derby Kickoff Party at the Bali Hai takes place April 28. See San Diego’s International Yellowtail Derby Announcement, Schedule and Entry Form.

The Fisherman catch Miss Yellowtail Photo circa 1950s (Photo Courtesy of The Fishery) –

Results

Day One – Marc Nunes landed only one fish and it was weighed it in. This was the only reported fish received in the 4 hours since sundown. It is the Largest 1st day yellowtail landed in the past 10 years. It was caught by Marc Nunes, fishing alone, who was the 2003 Derby Champion. This beautiful fish was landed off the La Jolla coast while trolling a lure early on Saturday morning.

Who will land a 50-pound yellowtail to break Harry Okuda’s 49-pound, 11-ounce winner in 2017 and get their name on the Perpetual Derby Trophy? The one who does receives his or her weight in Ballast Point Beer, as measured on the “Scale of Ale”.

Invited to all the Yellowtail Derby events will be the past winners and past Miss Yellowtail Derby queens.

Miss Yellowtail Derby 1962 Sharon Wetzel Poses (Photo Courtesy of San Diego Historical Society)

Event planners expect over 250 participating anglers, which means more entries, more prize money.

San Diego’s International Yellowtail Derby Kickoff is April 25 at the Bali Hai restaurant in Point Loma, San Diego, Calif. The Yellowtail Derby offers 37 days of fishing running from April 28th through June 3rd. The awards banquet will be held on June 5th.
Why – San Diego’s International Yellowtail Derby was a multi-month event with qualifying periods and finals. Prizes ranged form cash to cars, trailers, trips and fishing gear. It built up to where every year more than 10,000 anglers competed and many from LA, Orange Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and often won.

At the urging of Stephen Cushman, Chairman of San Diego’s Board of Port Commissioners, John Campbell took up the challenge and resurrected the Yellowtail Derby. This year marks the 10th annual San Diego’s International Yellowtail Derby since its resurrection.

Mr. Campbell’s extensive experience in the fishing community made him an ideal candidate to resurrect the tradition of the Derby, including being the IGFA Representative for California 7 years,

The fishing area will be increased and designated from as far 50 miles South to 50 miles West of Point Loma Light to the Orange County Line.

Anglers will fish under standard IGFA rules with the exception of gaffs longer than 8 feet are allowed for the open party fleet anglers. Anglers can submit only the largest fish of a species each day for the contest.

For more information, contact the event organizer John Campbell at johncinsd@gmail.com, or c/o John Campbell, 3960 West Point Loma Blvd. – Suite H347 – San Diego, Ca. 92110.