Weather was a challenge
this year, and the
forecast calling for
wind 15-20 mph was
likely responsible for a
small reduction in adult
entries to 367.
However, the Kid's
Division saw a big
increase in entries with
a total of 101 entries.
Click here to
view all 2013 Winners
and click here to
view all winners and
stats 2007 - 2013.
Wind made for
challenging fishing and
mostly the water temp
which was 47˚ at Port
Chicago on Derby day
made the finicky
Sturgeon even more
uncooperative.
Legal-sized Sturgeon
caught and released this
Derby totaled 20 this
year compared to 42 last
year. There were
also six oversized
Sturgeon caught, three
of which were caught by
Kid's Division anglers.
With 368 entries at $25,
this year's purse
totaled $9,175.00, all
of which went back to
the winners (1st through
7th places). The 1st
place winner was Ross
Buller of Rodeo, who
caught
and released a 45"
Sturgeon. Ross
took home a cool
$3,211.25, and a first
place laser-cut marble
trophy created and
donated by Captain Sean
Treacy of
SF Bay Sportfishing.
The
2nd place winner was Fred
Hammond of Stockton (photo
below), whose prize totaled
$2,293.75. 3rd Place went
to Dan Roos of Vallejo
(photo below) who took home
$1,835.00. Both Fred and
Dan also received trophies as
well. The
last four places each
took home $458.75: Dave
Shimamoto of Grass Valley (4th);
Kevin Silva of Vacaville (5th);
Adam Benoit of Vacaville (6th);
and Jason Russey of Richmond
Captain of
Longfin Sportfishing
(7th).
Click
photos to enlarge!
RESULTS - KID'S DIVISION
We had a great group of
kids again this year
from ages 3 to 15. A
total of 101 kids were
entered (for free) in
the Derby, up from 76
last year, a 33%
increase! In
order to win a prize,
all kids had to do was
catch a fish, any
species, any size!
Their catch earned them
a ticket for the top prize
drawing. Many of
the kids actually caught
Sturgeon, and three
caught oversized
Sturgeon!
This year we added "Pier
Fishing" for the Kid's
Division. We had 8 kids
fishing from Martinez
Pier this year. And, 4th
place winner in the
drawing, Marcel Jones,
fished from the pier.
For kids who couldn't
otherwise fish in the
Derby, two of the
Captains donated their
boats to take kids (and
their parents) out to
fish for FREE:
Captain Steve Talmadge
(Flash Fishing) and
Captain Don Franklin (Soleman
Sportfishing).
The awards for kids
started with a drawing.
Each kid who caught and
released a fish (any
size/species) received a
ticket for the drawing.
20 names were drawn and
each of these kids
received a top prize
(which included custom
fishing rods, an
accurate reel, and
rod/reel combos. All 101
kids took home a special
"Kid's Division Super
Star" derby T-Shirt,
donated by
Coastside Fishing Club.
The anticipation on
their faces as they
awaited the call of
their number was
priceless, as was the
pride and admiration on
the faces of parents. Photo below with twelve
of the top winners is
courtesy of Scott Strain
(www.rodmob.com). Click
photo to enlarge!
1st place winner in the Kid's
Division this year was Russell
Houck (age 9). Russell not only
took home a custom fishing rod,
but also a 1st place trophy. 2nd place went to Alisha McCullen (age 12).
3rd place
went to Hunter Kane (age 6). 4th
place went to Marcel Jones (age
11) who fished from the pier.
5th place went to Cody Niford
(age 12). 6th place went to
Bryce Pons (age 10).
Click
photos to enlarge!
Following the drawing of
tickets, Captain Steve
Talmadge called up all
the kids who had caught
and released a fish (any
size/species). All
of these kids received a
prize and special Derby
shirt. Then, the
few kids who hadn't
caught a fish were
called up and received a
prize and shirt. So,
thanks to the generosity
of our many sponsors,
supplemented by raffle
ticket proceeds, every
kid went home with a
prize and a Derby Shirt!
Truly a special event,
sure to become a lasting
memory for all
concerned.
Scott Strain (RodMob.com) who
took photos at the Derby, also
took some video. He put
together the video footage he
captured while taking photos at
the derby and made a little
video, below. Enjoy and
thank you Scott!
"2013 Diamond
Classic Sturgeon Derby. Catch
and release of sturgeon in San
Francisco bay. Big fish caught
and released by John Hise
(Eldest son of James), aboard my
boat, "Alegria" this weekend in
January." John caught
this oversized fish on the
custom rod he won when he took
first place in the Kid's
Division in the 2011 Derby!
