It is with deep sadness to report the passing of MBMC long time member and Past President Gerry Lively. Our condolences and well wishes go out to Clint, Betty and the Lively family.
Gerry was well regarded in the San Diego fishing community. Gerry and his brother Roy (deceased) fished commercially and competitively for many years. Aboard their boat The Lively One; Gerry, Roy and nephew Clint were formidable competitors in various San Diego fishing tournaments; winning among them the ILTT Marlin Tournament (multiple times), the MBMC Marlin Tournament (multiple times), the Big Fish Tournament and more.
Gerry loved fishing and being out on the water or on his boat. Gerry would always lend a hand or offer advice on fishing or boat maintenance/care (especially electronics) to those around him.
Gerry was a fixture and stalwart supporter of MBMC for over 40 years. He selflessly donated countless hours of time for the betterment of our club. He served on the MBMC board in one capacity or another over several terms; most notably three times as President.
We will miss Gerry as a MBMC member and fellow fisherman, but more importantly as a friend. Rest in Peace dear friend!
June is upon us. The weather has been typical June gloom. Fishing has been a lot of hit and miss days. Recently the local kelp beds have been kicking out good calico bass fishing with the occasional barracuda and yellowtail. A 45 pound yellowtail was caught off La Jolla on a 1/2 day part boat. The Coronados have started to clean up. There have been large schools of yellows being metered. Offshore has been hit or miss for most. There were reports of a 150 and a 180 bluefin being caught off the 302 on friday and saturday. Sunday slowed again. Kelps are hit or miss for yellowtail.
A strong El Nino has been predicted for this year. Hopefully it happens and we see a large influx of warm water fish.
Just a reminder the Bluefin Seminar and Social is June 17th from 2-5 pm. See attached flyer. Please RSVP if you haven’t already. We will be limited to 30 participants.
John White will be giving a very informative seminar on the latest techniques for bluefin tuna.
Please mark your calendars for the MBMC 50th anniversary celebration. The event will be held July 22nd beginning at 4;00 pm. This will be taking place at BayParkFish Co.
Congratulations to May FOM winner – Lou Hayden with a 30.2 lb Halibut. Nice catch!
We would like to welcome new members for the month of June:
We are now into June of this year. Fishing has been on and off, but the season has been slowly ramping up.
This month (June) is the MONTH LONG YELLOWTAIL Tournament. There are still yellowtail to be found on the right Paddys offshore. But the bigger news would be the Local yellowtail that have been seen, with some caught also. The half-day even managed a 47 pound slug over at La Jolla this past Friday. This went along with good bass fishing and even some legal barracuda in the mix. It would be a great time to fill in the Entry for our Month Long Tournament (Entry and Rules Link)
Also, see below (or on website) for the remaining 2023 MBMC Tournament Schedule:
JUNE 1-30, 2023 – Yellowtail Tournament
JULY 15-16, 2023 – Tuna Tournament
AUGUST 19-20, 2023 – What’s Hot Tournament
SEPTEMBER 1-30, 2023 – Ron Lively Monthlong Marlin Tournament
SEPTEMBER 22-24, 2023 – MBMC Marlin Tournament
Finally, do not forget to sign up for the BLUEFIN TUNA SEMINAR / BBQ (free to members, see attached Flyer link ) on June 17th at the Dockside Deli (Marina Village).
Hope to see you at the Seminar, on the Water, or at the Dock.
May is quickly upon us. Fishing has been streaky at best. The bluefin showed up for a brief moment, but with windy conditions the water temperatures dropped and fish counts followed.
Rock Codding continues to be good on both the North and South nine. The good news is that yellowtail have showed up in increasing numbers on kelps so keep your eyes out on the water. Don’t forget the lesser species. . Member Nick Kane took the time to get in on some big sand dab fishing.
Nick Kane
The Bay Bass Tournament was held on 4/22-4/23 with 9 anglers participating in the event. The Hargaves Family on the ‘Radar’ won the tournament. A big congratulations to Board Member Jim Kelly for his 28 pound Bluefin caught on 4/22/23. Jim takes home the honors of FIRST TUNA FLAG OF 2023 along with Fish of the Month for April!
Jim Kelley – First Bluefin Tuna 2023
To all our members please take pictures of your catches or events on the water and send them to us. We would love to post them.
Our membership has grown to 61 members. Remember, on June 1st dues will increase to $150.00 so get signed up now. We want to welcome new members Mariusz Wysoczanki, his son Gabriel, and Carl Schultz. They are fishing on a 32 ft. Yellowfin named ‘Vitamin Sea’. Nicholas and Juli Beth Hinds also joined the MBMC this month on their 22 ft. Dorral ‘Pilar’.
We have a couple of events scheduled coming up. The first will be our Bluefin Tuna Seminar and BBQ. This will be held at the Marina Village Deli on June 17th. Food will be served from 2-3:00 pm. Be advised food service will end at 3:00. John White from Dana Tackle will discuss Bluefin strategies. This is sure to be a great seminar. John has always provided a vast amount of knowledge and new techniques for catching bluefin. A free Burger with fries & a soft drink will be provided for Members. Non-members pricing is $10. A raffle will also be held, tickets will be for sale at the Event. Flyer sent via email.
July 22nd we will celebrate the Mission BayMarlin Club’s 50th Anniversary. A little belated (pushed back a year) because of all of the Covid stuff. This will be held at the Bay Park Fish Company from 4-7pm. We will have 1974 alumni share their stories of the early days in the club. Past Presidents Paul Himmelberger, Bob Smith, and Jim Valentine have been invited. Shirts marking this occasion will be available for purchase. A Flyer will be distributed shortly.
The MBMC Halibut / White Seabass Tournament is this month. We have changed to a One Month format this year. Since we are getting a late start, there will be NO Entry Fee. All you have to do is fill out the Entry and submit it to enter. Prizes will be nice MBMC Award Plaques for the Largest qualifying fish. Link to Entry Form & Rules.
Finally, the Southwestern Yacht Club has an open invite to everyone for their Bottom Fishing Tournament to be held May13. This is a Charity Tournament to benefit the ElderHelp Non-Profit. You must weigh in at the SWYC scale in San Diego Bay. It could be easier to drive over your catch if participating. Should be a good event for a great cause. Check-out their website for further details.
Mark your calendars for these Events and watch out for future MBMC Seminars and Tournaments.
Another Bay Bass Tournament is in the books. Timing worked out great. The weather cooperated with mild warm weather all weekend. The Bay was full of people taking advantage after our long bout of “cooler” weather.
There were a total of nine (9) Anglers participating.
Scott Paul
Dave Chrisman
Tommy Baronner Jr.
Thomas Baronner
Ken Yasuda
Bob Hargraves
Donna Hargraves
Brent Hargraves
Brent Hargraves Jr.
Most Anglers were Kayak fishing, but it seems a Boat might have been the way to go. Team Radar dominated the board again this year. Great job!
Men’s Winner Bob Hargraves (Radar)
Women’s Winner Donna Hargraves (Radar)
Junior Winner Brent Hargraves Jr. (Radar)
Brent Jr. wins a $25 gift card from Dana Landing Tackle in addition to the Entry money in the Junior Division. That will get him some more Bay Bass Lures.
Catch stats are as follows:
Brent Hargraves Jr. – 14-3/4″ Spotted Bay Bass
Bob Hargraves – 15″ Spotted Bay Bass
Brent Hargraves Sr. – 14-1/2″ Spotted Bay Bass
Donna Hargraves – 15″ Spotted Bay Bass
Ken Yasuda – 14’1/2″ Spotted Bay Bass
Tommy Baronner Jr. – 14-1/4″ Spotted Bay Bass
Great job all Anglers. Many more “shorts” under 14″ were released plus a legal halibut on a beautiful Mission Bay weekend.
Now onto the Tuna Update. There has been sign of bluefin on the upper banks. There has even been a little bit of offshore yellowtail caught. MBMC Member Jim Kelley on the Arumi Boto put in the time and scored the 1st Tuna of 2023 on Saturday. Great work Jim! He was able to score a 28# Bluefin in the 302 area on the troll. That is a legit tuna, but there are larger bft in the 50-90# class out there also. April Bluefin is a great way to kick off the Offshore Season!
Everyone have a great week and good luck out on the water!
