MDR Annual Halibut Derby 2024
Get ready to reel in the fun at the 49th annual Halibut Derby in Marina del Rey on June 1-2, hosted by the Marina del Rey Anglers Club! Each year, the fishing tournament attracts hundreds of halibut anglers to compete in catching the largest fish on rod and reel. The two-day event ends with an awards ceremony and celebration at Burton Chace Park on Sunday, June 2.
Read below for some fun facts about the derby and club!
FUN FACTS
1. Did you know anyone can compete in the annual Halibut Derby, as long as you’ve got a fishing rod, reel, bait? The competition is held in Santa Monica Bay and offers opportunities for boaters, kayakers, and shore anglers to participate. Don’t have a boat? Just find a spot along a public fishing dock or rent a kayak or boat for a fishing adventure. For example, you can head to the north and south jetties where licensed fishing is allowed. You can also fish at nearby Venice Pier; license not required. Fishing licenses and bait are available at the West Marine store (4750 Admiralty Way) or at Fisherman’s Village through Marina del Rey Sportfishing. The shop doesn’t rent tackle, but there is plenty for sale.
2. In 1974, the inaugural Halibut Derby kicked off with just $5 entry fees and 35 eager anglers, setting the stage for what would become the oldest fishing competition on the West Coast! But it’s not just about the thrill of the catch—proceeds from the derby go toward supporting the club’s philanthropic and conservation initiatives. Today, the derby continues to thrive, thanks to the passion and commitment of its volunteers.
3. Did you know that since 1995, the Marina del Rey Anglers Club, has worked to release over 150,000 juvenile white sea bass into the Santa Monica Bay, contributing to the preservation of marine life in the area? The club manages a white sea bass nursery located at Burton Chace Park (pictured above) as part of a hatchery program through a collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute. This is one of 13 nursery pens of white sea bass in Southern California and is maintained solely by the Marina del Rey Anglers Club volunteers. They will soon release about 3,600 white sea bass into the Pacific in early May near the Venice Pier! Click below to watch a release from 2021:
4. Know any younger folks interested in learning more about fishing? Luckily, in addition to their conservation efforts, the Marina del Rey Anglers Club has organized and operated a Youth Fishing program since 1983. Each summer, they organize nearly 20 fishing trips specifically designed for school-aged children in collaboration with groups like the Boys and Girls Club and Larry Brown Youth and Veterans charities. These excursions not only provide valuable angler education but also offer children, many of whom have never been on a boat before, the opportunity to experience the thrill of their first-ever fishing trip. For many of these youngsters, the fishing trips organized by the Marina del Rey Anglers Club are transformative experiences that create lasting memories but also cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious anglers.
5. Here’s a heartwarming fun fact – did you know that fishing plays an important role in the emotional rehabilitation of thousands of veterans? Since 2016, the Marina del Rey Anglers Club extends its gratitude to veterans with service-related disabilities by hosting annual fishing trips aboard the Betty-O sportfishing boat. In collaboration with the Department of Veteran Areas, the club welcomes veterans from various eras, spanning from World War II to current conflicts, for a memorable day of angling adventures. These excursions offer more than just a chance to reel in some big catches; they provide a therapeutic escape, allowing veterans to connect with nature, bond with fellow servicemen and women, and find solace in the soothing embrace of the ocean breeze.
So whether you’re a seasoned angler or a newbie to the sport, mark your calendars for June 1-2 and join us for a weekend of fishing, fun, and conservation efforts at the Halibut Derby. Established in 1975 as the Marina City Anglers, the club evolved into the Marina del Rey Anglers in 1986, becoming a non-profit organization dedicated to fishing and conservation. Click here to visit their website.