Results of 2009 MDR Halibut Derby
We Have A Winner!
Congratulations to James Muro who caught an outstanding fish!
James Muro of Woodland Hills won top honors with his 41.1 pound halibut
James selected as his prize the fishing vacation for two at
the gorgeous Rivers Inlet Sportsman’s Club in British Columbia. Rivers
Inlet is world famous for the huge salmon and world record for the largest
Chinook salmon ever caught, 126 pounds! Anglers flock from around the world
just to experience world class salmon fishing at its very best. James and his
guest will be pampered for 4 days and 3 nights at Rivers Inlet Sportsman’s Club
and will be treated to 3 days of fishing, gourmet meals and stunning scenery.
He also received a check for $800 to help pay for airfare between LAX and
Vancouver.
James has recently relocated from Oxnard/Channel Islands area. This is his second time to be entered into the MDR Halibut Derby. And he recalled someone from that event telling him about fishing 80 feet of water near Topanga. So that is the area he planned to fish over the weekend. This big lunker surprised everyone on board his boat "Camp Muro" when it came up on the first drift at 9 am on Saturday. They happened to be in approx 60 something feet of water near the N/W end of the Santa Monica Reef at the time. Jim says "It never saw the boat as it came up with the White Side up looking downward when we gaffed it." He fondly recalled how everyone was whooping it up for a while after the fish was on the deck. then after the gaff was removed it was the fishes turn to dance about the boat. The men and two boys on board each having their own worried thoughts about it jumping out of the boat.
See more photos of the Wining Camp Muro crew.
The 35th Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby held April 4th and 5th 2009 was an outstanding success.
We were blessed with fine weather for the event. Plenty of bait was available in the bait receivers. The sun came out. And so did the true fishing loyalists, the real die hards, the great fishing patriots. They came out despite the bad economy, high fuel prices, and low fish counts. The MDRA Board of Directors salutes these anglers for their support of the 35th Annual Halibut Derby, which has become a historic tradition and which supports one of the longest running and most highly respected youth fishing programs in the country.
Anticipation and excitement filled the air during last minute signups Friday and at the giant tailgate party in the parking areas Friday night. Those last minute sign ups pushed the participant count up to four hundred thirty nine anglers. This big participations shows the dedication and commitment the fishing community has towards the causes of Youth Fishing and Fish Restoration.
See more photos of the action on the Docks Day One.
See more photos of the action on the Docks Day Two.
See more photos of the action an the Awards Party.
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2nd place
Gary Maskiewicz of Long Beach scored 2nd
place with his 23.8 pound fish and selected the deluxe fishing vacation for 2 at
the incredible Sitka Point Lodge in Alaska. He and his guest will enjoy
the Sitka Point Lodge for 5 days and 4 nights including all meals, all transfers
to the airport, 3 days of fishing the famous waters of Alaska for huge halibut,
salmon and ling cod, all fish processing and a check for $ 1,400 to help cover
airfare between LAX and Sitka, Alaska. They will also enjoy the whales,
dolphins, eagles and other natural scenery famous for this area.
3rd place
Barry Clayborn of Garden Grove came in 3rd with his 21.9 pound butt
and won the fishing vacation for two people to Baja California’s East Cape, the
Rooster Fish capital of the world, including seven days and six nights at the
exotic Hotel Punta Colorada , all meals, 3 days of fishing, freezing and packing
the catch, plus a check for $600 to help pay for air fare between LAX and Los
Cabos, Mexico.
And the Rest of the Top Ten
Great prizes of rod and reel combinations were awarded to anglers with the top 4th – 10th place halibuts. Congratulations to these winners and lucky anglers.
4th Place Matt Winkelman 15.0 pounds
5th Place Victor Ortiz 10.9 pounds
6th Place Ed Zamora 9.4 pounds
7th Place Robert Kofrehi 8.5 pounds
8th Place Ken Meyer 7.5 pounds
9th Place Nick Ekdal 7.4 pounds
10th Place Ron Winkelman 6.7 pounds
Side Bet Jackpot
The jackpots produced some big money winners. James Muro walked off
with another big check of $2,190 for the 1st place jack pot. Gary Maskiewicz
received $1,314 for his 2nd place jack pot position. Gary Clayborn, who
placed 3rd in the derby, did not enter the jackpot, so Matt Winkelman
received a $896 check for 3rd place jackpot for his 4th place halibut..
Teams
The Team Jackpot also had fierce competition for big bucks for the three teams scoring the most points. Gary Maskiewicz and Ed Zamora earned $1,462 for their 1st place team jack pot. Matt and Ron Winkelman picked up $877 for 2nd place and Victor Ortiz, Williy Taylor, Cameron Green and Mike Varella walked away with 3rd place in the team competition and pocketed $585.
Gary and Ed with their Day Two fish.
Why we say Thank You
There were lots of winners and a mountain of prizes presented at the awards party which followed a well deserved and tasty barbeque feast. Of course, the biggest winners will be the thousand kids from at risk environments who will be hosted by Marina Del Rey Anglers’ Youth Fishing Program aboard the Betty-O out of Marina Del Rey. Proceeds from the event go to support not only the Marina Del Rey Anglers’ Youth Fishing Program but also its Ocean Resources Enhancement Program. This program has raised and released over 1.5 million juvenile white seabass back into the ocean since its founding in 1994. These fish were nearly extinct just 20 years ago and efforts to restore the fishery have been extremely successful with trophy white seabass exceeding 30 pounds being routinely caught off our local beaches and at local islands.
Thanks to all derby participants and to the many dedicated volunteers from MDR Anglers, Hubbs Seaworld and the California DFG for a great event. MDRA President Ken Raymond noted the incredible support and generosity of all of the sponsors who make this event possible. Derby Chairmen Stan Zisser, Ken Raymond and Josh Gerson want to remind all participants that our generous sponsors are in business to sell products, and the best and most appropriate way to show our appreciation is to review the list of donors from your derby brochure or from www.halibutderby.com , and to use this list as a guide when planning your Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthday and Christmas shopping.
Please tell those business owners how much we all appreciate their support of the Halibut Derby.
And from all of the volunteers and members of MDRA, Thanks again to all the participants. You all helped to support the future of fishing.
All who Fished in the derby are invited to post
your Fishing Story on
MDRAnglers
Message Board
Download the Press Release in .doc format
Join Marina Del Rey Anglers - Membership Form
This Halibut Derby is produced by a bunch of
volunteers from the MDRA fishing club.
Note: photos from the derby are (c) MDRAnglers and shot by professional fishing photographer, Anna Diaz.
