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Thanks for your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Bob Vanian

Fishing Reports for: Freebie Reports

Friday, May 1, 2020 @ 2:40 pm

Friday, May 1, 2020 at 2:40 PM

Here is a summary of my understanding of the launch ramp and harbor situations in San Diego County. For more details with regard to San Diego Bay, please read the press release that is in the 12:15 AM update below that is from earlier today. The press release was based on a San Diego County amended health order and reflects the spirit of the situation with regard to San Diego County harbors.

My understanding is that Oceanside Harbor, Mission Bay and San Diego Bay are now open to recreational boating activities with certain restrictions. First and foremost is the restriction that all individuals in the group and aboard the boat must be of the same household.

A couple of the things that are not allowed are gatherings of people and non-physical distancing activities (non-social distancing activities.)

The information I have is that the launch ramp and the parking lot for boat launching in Oceanside Harbor are now open for recreational boating activity.

The information I have about Mission Bay is that the South Shores launch ramp and parking area are open for vehicles with boat trailers.

Paul Lebowitz of Western Outdoor News was at South Shores launch ramp this morning and reported that police were guarding the entrance and that you needed to be towing a boat trailer to get in. Paul also took a look at the Dana Landing Launch Ramp which was taped off and was closed.

Paul then went to the launch ramp at Shelter Island in San Diego Bay and said that it was indeed open. He said the authorities wanted people to park their cars with the trailers attached so there was an open parking space between each vehicle. They were also limiting it to there being no more than 4 vehicles on the launch ramp at any one time.

Paul took a look at the Pepper Park launch ramp on San Diego Bay and said it was open but that the parking was very limited. You also needed to be towing a boat trailer to enter.

At Shelter Island and at Pepper Park, kayaks and paddle boards were being allowed to leave their vessels on the ramp so they could go park but they had to find a place to park their vehicle out on the street.

Paul also took a look at the launch ramp at Glorietta Bay and said he saw some rigs in the launch ramp area. People had to find a place to park on the street and he said the street parking appeared to be very limited.

Paul did not visit the J Street Launch Ramp but said he had reliable information that the J Street Launch Ramp is still closed.

Please read the press release in the 12:15 AM report below. It gives good insight into what is being allowed and restricted in San Diego County.

Friday, May 1, 2020 @ 12:21 am

Friday, May 1, 2020 at 12:15 AM

Some good news is that the Port of San Diego announced that beginning on Friday, May 1, 2020 that recreational boating with limits will be allowed on San Diego Bay.

Below in italics is a copy and paste of the press release issued by the Port of San Diego at: https://www.portofsandiego.org/press-releases/general-press-releases/recreational-boating-limits-allowed-san-diego-bay-beginning

April 30, 2020

Recreational Boating, with Limits, Allowed on San Diego Bay Beginning Friday

CONTACT: Brianne Mundy Page, 619.348.1518, bpage@portofsandiego.org

Vessel occupants must all be members of the same household

In compliance with the County of San Diego’s latest amended public health order, and with public health measures remaining in place to continue to minimize the spread of and exposure to COVID-19, recreational boating – for vessels on which all occupants are members of the same household – will be allowed on San Diego Bay beginning Friday, May 1, 2020.

The Port is gradually reopening public spaces in compliance with County Health guidance and in coordination with other coastal jurisdictions. Effective Friday, the following is what will be allowed/open and closed/not allowed on and around San Diego Bay:

Allowed: Recreational boating for vessels on which all occupants are members of the same household; kayaking and paddle boarding (kayakers and paddle boarders may launch from beaches); swimming for exercise
Open: Walkways, sidewalks, and promenades for walking, running, and bicycling (no stopping, sitting, or lying down); beaches are open for walking and running along (no stopping, sitting, or lying down); Shelter Island and National City boat launches (opening at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020);
Closed: Parks, piers, park parking lots; Chula Vista boat launch (consistent with continued park closures throughout City of Chula Vista)
Not allowed: Gatherings and non-physical distancing activities; stopping, sitting or lying down in parks or on beaches; fishing from shoreline

Also beginning Friday, wearing face coverings while out in public and within six feet of others will be required throughout San Diego County. If one is likely to come within six feet of another, one should wear a face covering. Even those who are healthy and asymptomatic but who’ve been exposed to the virus can expose and infect others.

The Port encourages the public to continue to follow State of California and County of San Diego public health guidance – wash your hands often and for 20 seconds each time, avoid touching your face, and regularly clean frequently touched surfaces.

For the latest information about what activities are allowed on and around San Diego Bay, public parks and facilities closures, and more, go to portofsandiego.org/covid19.

Friday, April 3, 2020 @ 9:05 pm

Friday, April 3, 2020 at 9:05 PM

I just had a phone conversation with the San Diego Harbor Police who reported that San Diego Bay will be closed to recreational boating activity beginning at midnight. I asked if that closure included coming and going from one’s dock at a marina through the harbor to get to the offshore fishing grounds and they said that activity would be a violation. All recreational activity on the bay is closed but commercial activity can continue. This situation has been changing rapidly and if you want to check on the latest information from the San Diego Harbor Police, the phone number is (619) 686-6272.

At last word, Mission Bay and it’s launch ramps were closed and at last word the launch ramps were closed in Oceanside Harbor.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 @ 2:45 pm

The Fred Hall Show in Long Beach Runs From Wednesday, March 4, 2020 through Sunday, March 8, 2020!

It is that time of year and the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach is fast approaching and begins on Wednesday, March, 4, 2020! The show runs from Wednesday, March 4, 2020 through Sunday, March 8, 2020 and Southern California anglers will be gathering at the Long Beach Convention Center to see the latest of what there is to see in the world of fishing products, boating products, fishing vacations and a whole lot more.

The Fred Hall Show is a family event with lots of things to see and do for kids and adults alike. A great thing is that kids 15 years old and younger get in FREE with a paid adult. One of the highlights for many kids attending the show is to catch a trout in the Mammoth Lakes Trout Pond. There are also lots of free seminars for adults and kids to attend in addition to all the booth displays.

You can get all the information about the show including show times and seminar schedules at the Fred Hall Shows web site at www.fredhall.com. You can also purchase tickets via the web site and avoid possible ticket lines.

If you come to the show, please stop by the 976-Bite booth and say hello and talk about the upcoming months of what looks like it could be another great fishing year. With large bluefin tuna being caught off Southern California through most of the winter, the tuna season has pretty much been a year round thing this year with some good showings of bluefin during the month of February! The 976-Bite booth is usually located on aisle 300 but I never know for sure what the booth number will be until I check in ahead of the show. I will post our booth number once I find out where we will be located.

We are offering special show incentives for signing up for the 6 month and 12 month subscriptions or renewals and will also be selling heavyweight cotton fish and logo T-shirts that range in size from youth small up to 5XL. I will also have a limited number of the original “old school” 976-Bite “logo only” shirts available as well. In addition to the T-shirts, I will also have more of the men’s and women’s 976-Bite tank tops.

If your 976bite.com membership is still current you can still take advantage of the show specials as your renewal will just add on to the end of what you have remaining from your current subscription. It is also no problem for you to take advantage of the show specials by subscribing to 976bite.com at the show and having your subscription start at a later date.

I hope you can come out to the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach and have some fun. Get further details at www.fredhall.com

Best Wishes,

Bob Vanian

Thursday, December 12, 2019 @ 5:40 pm

I want to let you know that there is a blood drive being held this Saturday, December 14, 2019 on behalf of Richard Templin and others who are in need of life giving blood. I hope you are willing and able to participate and give the gift of blood during this holiday season.

Richard Templin is an active and involved Angler/Member of Southwestern Yacht Club and is as nice a family man and person as you would ever want to meet. He is battling some health issues and is in need of regular blood transfusions to maintain his life.

The blood drive is being held on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at the Southwestern Yacht Club Parking Lot between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM. The address is 2702 Qualtrough Street, San Diego, Ca 92160. You can just show up between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM if you like or else there is a way to make an appointment for a specific time for you to give blood on Saturday at: MYSDBB.org/schedule

I hope you can attend and give some blood on Saturday. There is a serious need for all blood types.

Below is a copy of the flyer about the event.

Thanks very much!

Sincerely,

Bob Vanian

(You can click on the image to enlarge.)

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 @ 3:10 pm

Hello All,

I want to let you know that The Marlin Club’s Gene Grimes Memorial ILTT Tournament is being held on Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th of 2019 and to let you know that you are invited to enter the tournament and participate. The Marlin Club’s ILTT Tournament is reported to be the oldest tournament in San Diego and this year’s tournament will see a portion of the proceeds go to benefit the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

There are some changes to this year’s tournament to try and make it more appealing to all anglers. They are bringing back a Tuna Division to go with the Marlin Division and there have been some changes to the minimum line classes in order to make the tournament more user friendly and appealing to more anglers.

The tournament entry also includes a tournament t-short and a ticket to the Awards Dinner to be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday October 6, 2019 at The Marlin Club on Shelter Island. Marcus Hale of the Cabrilla and Doug Kern of Fisherman’s Landing are the co-chairs of this year’s event and Marcus says that they have put together some fantastic prizes that include custom rod and reel sets with Shimano Talica 25 reels, custom rod and reel sets with Shimano Tranx 500 reels and $100 gift certificates to Fisherman’s Landing. There will be first, second and third place prizes awarded in both the Marlin Division and the Tuna Division. In addition to the tournament winning prizes, they will be selling tickets for a “huge” raffle at the Awards Dinner.

The cost of entry is $100 per angler and the rules and entry forms can be found at: themarlinclub.squarespace.com. They ask that you either mail or drop off your completed entry form and your entry fee at either The Marlin Club or Fisherman’s Landing. If you have any questions you can call Marcus Hale at (619) 551-6521.

I hope you can come out and participate in The Marlin Club’s Gene Grimes Memorial ILTT tournament. In addition to the fun involved with fishing in the tournament and having a chance to win some great prizes, you have a chance to help children that are fighting illnesses by having a portion of the tournament proceeds going to benefit the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

Best wishes and good fishing to you!

Bob Vanian

976-Bite Fish Reports 976Bite.com

Thursday, September 5, 2019 @ 12:45 pm

Hello All,

I want to let you know that the 45th Annual Mission Bay Marlin Club’s Charity Heart Marlin Tournament to benefit the American Heart Association is being held on Saturday, September 14, 2019. I also want to let you know that the tournament includes both marlin and tuna categories and that you are invited to enter the tournament and participate in the fun and excitement while at the same time helping to support the American Heart Association and the Mission Bay Marlin Club.

This longstanding tournament is in it’s 45th year and it is a first class event that continues to raise money to benefit the American Heart Association. It is a tournament that gives the angler their choice of catching and releasing their marlin or taking their marlin with all marlin being eligible for the tournament prizes.

There are some great prizes up for winning by way of gift certificates and gift cards with the Marlin Category having a first place prize valued at $1,500, second place prize valued at $1,000 and third place prize valued at $750.

There is also a Tuna Category that provides gift cards valued at $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place.

This premier event spans 3 days with a 6:00 PM Captain’s Meeting on Friday, September 13, 2019, the day of fishing on Saturday, September 14, 2019 and the Awards Banquet and Raffle at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2019. Cost of entry is $125 which includes the awards banquet and a tournament t-shirt. Extra dinner tickets are $30 each.

The Mission Bay Marlin Club’s website has more information available about the tournament, has the tournament rules and has the tournament entry form at www.missionbaymarlinclub.org .

I hope you can participate in the tournament, have a great time fishing, catch a winning fish and enjoy a fine banquet, raffle and awards ceremony! What a great opportunity to enjoy the weekend while at the same time helping support the American Heart Association and the Mission Bay Marlin Club!

Best wishes and good fishing!

Sincerely,

Bob Vanian,

976-Bite Fish Reports 976Bite.com

Tuesday, August 27, 2019 @ 4:55 pm

Hello All, I got the following email from The Marlin Club talking about a Community Discussion meeting tomorrow evening (Wednesday, August 28, 2019) regarding the Master Plan that the Port of San Diego is discussing that will effect The Marlin Club. The email that is below in italics explains what the meeting is about and asks those that are interested in supporting The Marlin Club as a part of the future plans being developed by the Port of San Diego are requested to attend.

Thanks for your consideration,

Bob Vanian

Greetings All –

The Marlin Club would like to update you on the Port of San Diego Master Plan. There is a Community Discussion (meeting) tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28th at 5:30pm at the Portuguese Hall in Point Loma regarding the Master Plan that the Port of San Diego is proposing. We appreciate all the comments sent on behalf of the Marlin Club and we now invite you to attend this discussion to learn more and to voice your concerns regarding these proposed plans. We would love to have a large group of Marlin Club supporters at this meeting to send a message to the Port that the Marlin Club is important and NEEDS TO STAY PUT!!! Please see details regarding this meeting below:

“The Port of San Diego invites the public to an additional community discussion event regarding the future of San Diego Bay and the surrounding waterfront, as proposed through the Port Master Plan Update (PMPU) Discussion Draft. This event will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2019 near the Port’s Shelter Island planning district and will focus on questions and concerns raised by the adjacent residential community.

Event details: 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 28, 2019, Portuguese Hall, 2818 Avenida De Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106. Note: Parking at the venue is limited. Additional public parking will be available in the two nearby parking lots on either side of Anchorage Lane directly off Shelter Island Drive, as well as at the meters along Anchorage Lane. Meters will not require payment after 5 p.m. on August 28 only to accommodate public parking for this meeting. Alternatively, the public is encouraged to carpool or walk if the venue is within walking distance from home or work.

This event is a continuation of the community discussion series, titled – “The Future of San Diego Bay: A Community Discussion,” which occurred in June 2019. As the Port begins updating the draft, there will be additional opportunities for public review and feedback, including community meetings, Board meetings and Board workshops.”

We hope to see you tomorrow and don’t forget to wear your Marlin Club t-shirt!!!Sincerely,

The Marlin Club Board of Directors

P.S. Here is a link to the San Diego Port Master Plan website to learn more: https://www.portofsandiego.org/waterfront-development/integrated-planning-port-master-plan-update

http://themarlinclub.squarespace.com/

The Marlin Club

2445 Shelter Island Dr.

Point Loma CA 92106

(619) 222-8677

Monday, August 19, 2019 @ 2:55 pm

The Make A Wish Tuna Challenge took a break in 2017 and was greatly missed. The tournament made a comeback in 2018 with 45 boats and 212 anglers participating and the good news is that the Make A Wish Tuna Challenge is back again this year!

This note is to remind you that the tournament is fast approaching and is being held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 with a Captain’s meeting on Friday evening, August 23, 2019. It is actually a three day event when you add the awards ceremony, barbecue and raffle to be held at the Portuguese Hall on Shelter Island on Sunday August 25, 2019.

This is always a fine event and in addition to being a great tuna tournament, it serves a much higher purpose in raising funds to benefit the Make A Wish charity. Since 1994 the Tuna Challenge has raised well in excess of $3,000,000 to benefit the Make A Wish Charity and has helped fund many wishes for children with life threatening medical conditions. The 2018 Tournament raised $86,000 to help grant wishes to kids with critical illnesses!

The list of prizes up for the winning is truly spectacular and includes lots of fishing tackle, stays at fishing resorts and marine related and other prizes that are too numerous to list here. You have a chance at winning prizes with the fish you catch and there are also incredible raffles and some spectacular things that are up for both silent and live auctions.

The tournament has award categories for juniors and adults with a small boat and a big boat division as well. The cost for entry is $105.00 for adults and $40.00 for a junior. The entry fees include a tournament t-shirt and a ticket to the awards banquet.

You can go to the Make a Wish Tuna Challenge web site and get all the details and sign up information at

www.tunachallenge.org

Please come out and participate and enjoy this fine event! It is a win-win situation as you can have a good time, have a chance at winning some great prizes and in the process enjoy the warm feeling of benefiting some kids who are in need of some good cheer.

Best Wishes!

Sincerely,

Bob Vanian

976-Bite Fish Reports www.976bite.com

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 @ 3:02 pm

The Marlin Club’s 17th annual Spring Shootout Tournament is this Saturday, May, 25, 2019. The Spring Shootout is an event that is open to the public and you are invited to participate! The entry fee is $75 per angler and $30 for a junior angler and includes a ticket to the awards party that includes, a delicious BBQ, live music by the Push Pins and a raffle.

There are over $5,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs based on 100 entrants. There are some changes in the optional side jackpot type entries that will be discussed at the Captain’s Meeting and which can be signed up for at the Captains Meeting.

The species involved in the tournament are a combined tuna and halibut category as well as a combined yellowtail and white seabass category. Calico bass and bonita can become winning fish there are no qualifying tuna or halibut.

The Captain’s Meeting is at 6:00 PM at The Marlin Club on Shelter Island on Friday, May 24, 2019 and someone from each participating boat is required to attend. All questions will be answered and the rules will be discussed and clarified at this meeting.

There is an awards dinner at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 26, 2019 and the entry fee includes dinner and an event t-shirt. Extra dinner tickets are $10 each.

The tournament flyer, rules and entry form are available at The Marlin Club’s web site at www.themarlinclub.com . One change to the stated rules is that there will be an earlier time for “lines in” which will now be at 3:30 AM.

The phone number at The Marlin Club is (619) 222-8677 and you can also contact tournament chair, Bob Woodard Jr. at (619) 227-5478 for more information. The Marlin Club is located at 2445 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, Ca 92106.

I hope you can come on out, participate, have some fun and catch some fish in The Marlin Club’s 17th annual Spring Shootout!