16th Annual Mikelson Catalina Classic Results and Photos

**livetofishnj** · 09-24-2008 03:21 PM

The 16th Annual Mikelson Catalina Classic Marlin Tournament started out with what was undoubtedly an incredible day. There was little chance that the fishing could outshine the opening day when day two dawned, but it was soon apparent that day one was simply an omen of things to come. While the marlin had been moving north and west to and across the top of the tournament boundaries that movement slowed and reversed itself; leaving the competitors in a veritable hornets' nest of feeding billfish.

The first fish to be released came at the hands of the California Style, but the Scrambler, Reel Time, Buck Fever and La Dulce Vida soon showed that the early action was no fluke and that it would continue well into the afternoon. The action was steady through until 10:00 when the floodgates opened and the fish really started piling on. C-Bandit opened the flurry with a quick release and the After Midnight followed just a minute behind. Rickdiculous, Code 3, Buck Fever, and Bad Company all followed with releases before 10:30 including a double by the Team Bad Company Viking.

Just as the clock was set to sound the 10:30 bell the first fish of the tournament was boated by the La Dulce Vida who had an impressive slug of a striped marlin. Rumors quickly filtered back to Avalon's Green Pier that the fish was 97 inches long, an impressive dimension for California striped marlin. Shark's Parlour was again just moments behind when they boated a 184-pound fish. They decided that they would continue fishing and look for release points or an even bigger fish but the La Dulce Vida headed straight for the scales. They were the first to bring a fish in on day two and it was well worth it as they nailed down the top spot with a huge 206-pound stripey.

Before the 10:00 hour was out there were another four boats that had chalked up releases, the California Style, Surly Mermaid, Club Ted and Pacific Edge all got one each. The action was comparatively slower during the 11:00 hour as the Bad Company added another release, Sea Esta had one, as did the Exta Sea, the Cazador turned one loose, the Knot for Rent got a marlin and the After Midnight boated one that would go 167 pounds on the Avalon Tuna Club scale.

The noon bite was red hot as a dozen boats released fish. Among those were the Good Karma, the Code 3, Reel Nice and Easy, Great White, Scrambler, Sea Dancer, Serious Business, Gambler and Bad Company who had three. Just after the 1:00 bell rung, the Mizpah boated a fish that would later weigh in at 205 pounds and take the second spot overall. Puritan XI was the first boat to release a fish in that hour and was followed by the Surly Mermaid, Good Karma, Gambler, Rickdiculous and After Midnight. The Gambler boated a fish that ended up hitting the scales at 170.5 pounds and took most of the daily jackpot, leaving them just the $250 daily short of a full sweep. Ahi Nui also boated a billfish but it would fell short of the leaders at 146 pounds.

After Midnight had a striped marlin that was 168 pounds at 2:02 to start off the final hour before lines out. Chaser released a fish at the same time and then boated another just after which fell short of the mark at 144 pounds. Angel and the Bad Man added a release, the Great White had one early in the hour, Reel Time and Buck Fever had the leader on small fish near 2:30 and Puritan XI had a release before the hour was over. Good Karma decided to take a fish that was 164 pounds on the scale, and the Lucky K killed one that was 159 pounds, though 85 inches long and the End of the Line took a 169-pound striped marlin.

The lines out call came at 3:00 but there was still plenty of action on the water with half a dozen boats already fighting fish. The La Patrona would release their fish as would the Gambler, Chaser and Knot for Rent, while the California Style, End of the Line and Good Karma boated theirs and headed for the dock.

First place overall belonged to the La Dulce Vida, second place was Mizpah and third went to California Style. The Gambler rounded out the top four places that paid off. These results are of course unofficial and will be updated tomorrow after the tournament committee can review the placements. Overall though with a field of 48 boats the tournament could not have been a bigger success and the action on the water could not have been better. The California Billfish Series will return to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island next year for even more incredible fishing.

Final Results
First Place - La Dulce Vida - $40, 800
Second Place - Mizpah - $16,300
Third Place - Gambler - $127,113 (Day 1 Daily and Day 2 Daily $1000 & $2000]
Fourth Place - California Style (Day 2 $250 Daily)
Fifth Place - Shark's Parlour (Day 2 $500 Daily only)

Full statistics including releases and weighed fish can be found at www.catalinatournaments.com

**paul708** · 09-24-2008 03:49 PM

you guys did a great job with the tourney coverage
THANKS

**Tunaman40** · 09-24-2008 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by paul708

you guys did a great job with the tourney coverage
THANKS

Absolutely great coverage.

**livetofishnj** · 09-24-2008 06:21 PM

Thank you guys for watching and reading, it wouldn't be worth doing without you all

**livetofishnj** · 09-24-2008 06:25 PM

......................................

**knot for shore** · 09-24-2008 08:13 PM

bring em on guys.....

**jig42na** · 09-24-2008 09:16 PM

Excellent job once again. It just keeps on getting better. The live feed rocks, I think the next step is to start videoing the actual fishing. I'm sure there is too many no sayers with that though from the tournament officials.

Thanks again!!!