United Anglers of Southern California

Support from Department of Fish & Game, United Anglers/Friends of Rollo and Sponsors Delivers a Special Day on the Water for Young and Young-at-Heart

(August 21, 2006) – There are many ways to measure the success of an ocean fishing trip.  The enjoyment of a warm sunny day on the water, the privilege of watching sea birds, dolphins and sea lions in their natural habitat and the thrill of reeling in a fighting fish come to mind, among many others.

Today’s party boat fishing adventure aboard the New Seaforth —put together through a joint effort of the California Department of Fish and Game and United Anglers/Friends of Rollo as the final special event in the summer-long Kid’s Fishing Passport Program — was successful on all these levels and more.  Thanks to pre-event publicity in WON and an article by Ed Zieralski in the San Diego Union Tribune, a crowd of 70-plus sons, daughters, moms, dads and even grandparents filled the decks of the beamy 85-foot sportfisher as she pushed away from the docks at Seaforth Sportfishing.  Because of support from United Anglers/Friends of Rollo, each paying adult was allowed to bring up to two kids for free on this open-party run. 



In addition, kids were provided with free rental tackle and even served a free hot lunch in the galley.  Sponsors like Berkeley, West Marine and Mustad provided products for special kids “goodie bags,” while Alpen Optics had representatives onboard to give away monoculars and teach kids about optics. After the requisite stop at the bait receivers to load up on sardines and mini-macks (always a highlight for kids), our plan for the afternoon half-day was to run up the line to some shallow structure spots off La Jolla.   When we arrived, it soon became apparent that a strong downhill current would make things a little challenging.  With some tackle adjustment to heavy sinkers, however, the kids and adults were soon able to get their baits in the strike zone.  

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While no wide-open bite ever materialized, we did catch a mixed bag of Southern California ocean gamefish, including bonito, calico bass, lingcod, sculpin and cabezon.    DFG representatives were on hand to give kids Junior Fishing Licenses, “First Fish” Certificates and stamp kids’ passports for each different fish species they caught.   Captain R.J. Hudson, along with Cody and the other New Seaforth deckhands did a great job of working with the kids (and adults) to bait hooks, untangle lines and unhook fish.

Fourteen-year-old Kristen Halford was the first youngster to hook up, landing a feisty bonito.   Kristen was on the trip with her father and her brother Dakota.  Pete Gonzalez brought his 15-year-old daughter Patty and enjoyed watching her catch a short, but very respectable lingcod and a beautifully colored cabezon.   Thirteen-year-old Kayley Vonderlitch, accompanied by her grandfather, also caught a nice cabezon.  Cameron Smith, 12, who was on the trip with his dad and younger brother, proved to be one of the hot young anglers.  He first landed a chunky calico bass, then followed it up with an impressive 26-inch lingcod that drew lots of oohs and aahs from everybody onboard.  Seven-year-old Conway Cleary recovered from an early bout of motion sickness to team up with his father Philip on the capture of a 24-inch keeper halibut and a nice calico bass.   All eyes were on 15-year old Hayden Birkett as she hooked into something big that took off for the horizon.   She made several laps around the boat before finally subduing a large bat ray that had eaten cut squid bait fished off the bottom. 

On the ride back to the docks, DFG Marine Communications Coordinator Carrie Wilson handed out special prizes, including ocean fishing reels, to youngsters who received the most different passport stamps.   Twelve-year-old Dominick Vergili received the Grand Prize for catching three different species — mackerel, bonito and calico bass.  The names of lucky anglers Conway Cleary and Cameron Smith were also drawn for special prizes from among those anglers landing two species.

“This was a fantastic event that emphasized not just kids, but fishing with families,” said Victor Mendez, Special Events Coordinator for UASC.  “Several parents commented that was something they’ve always wanted to do with their family, but they couldn’t find the time or money to pull it all together.  It’s very gratifying to know that we introduced so many families to the fun of ocean party boat fishing.  Half-day trips like these are a great way to get youngsters into the action and get them—and their parents—hooked on fishing,” added Mendez.

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For more information about the upcoming 2007 California Fishing Passport Program for adults and kids, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/fishingpassport.  For more information about United Anglers/Friends of Rollo or the many programs of UASC, contact www.unitedanglers.com.