Nice Weekend in the MDR Halibut Derby

It happens... Fishing for a Halibut and not getting one. Our team of Tim S., Gary D., Dennis B., and I worked it all weekend. We fished very hard. Very early and until late both days. We worked it from Santa Monica to Malibu and back and back and back again. No luck on the flatties. We saw a few little fish and one big toad of a sand bass but the halibut eluded our team.

We fished Star of Scotland and Big Rock and Sealion mostly. Everything from 140 feet down to 23 feet. Tossed sardines, plastics, mackerel (that we jigged up) and even a tomcod. We bounce balled and live bait drifted. We tossed jigs and lead heads. There is not much more we can do.

But just the same we had a lot of fun in the MDR Halibut Derby. 2 full days of hard fishing out on the SM Bay with good friends and we all were blessed with really nice weather and really calm seas.

Sun screen was the important item in the Tackle Box. Plenty of cold beer helped to keep our spirits up. Then add in the antics of jokes and movie quotations from Dennis and Tim to keep us in stitches.

So, in the end, one fish wish was granted. We had a very fun weekend.

And the Awards party went well. Thanks to all the many Volunteers who produced the event! You gave us an excuse to get the boat in top condition for the fishing and boating to come.

I liked that the 3 top finalists ( who each landed fantastic fish ) got to pick if they wanted to go to Alaska for big Halibut or Canada for Salmon or East Cape Mexico for Marlin etc. It looked like they really liked that option. And it went in that order! Great Vacations.

To learn more about the derby prizes see www.HalibutDerby.com

Next year the derby will need to send a memo to the fish to show up earlier in the year so we can have more catching. There was a good batch of catching. Just not by us. As Dennis was fond of reminding us on our boat... "That's why they call it Fishing!" See the photos on the MDRAnglers.com site for the fish caught.

Congrats to those lucky anglers. It was tough fishing for the rest of us. But
very fun.

Thanks again to my team for your fun company.

Keith
Ramblin'