CCA California Awards Star Tournament Prizes
The following press release is courtesy of the Coastal Conservation Association of California:
CCA California Presents the 2024 STAR Tournament Grand Prize to Brian Drazba
Grand-prize winner Brian Drazba takes delivery at West Coast Marine Service in Costa Mesa of a 2024 Parker 18SE center-console with a Yamaha 150 hp outboard motor, trailer and custom decking from Aqua Traction.
The Coastal Conservation Association of California has officially presented Brian Drazba of Aliso Viejo with the grand-prize in the inaugural 14-week-long CCA Cal STAR Tournament. The presentation of the 2024 Parker 18SE center-console with a Yamaha 150 outboard, trailer and custom decking from Aqua Traction took place at West Coast Marine Service in Costa Mesa on October 5.
Drazba was the lucky winner of the drawing for the top grand prize in the inaugural CCA California STAR Tournament in which hundreds of anglers entered and registered nearly 1,200 qualified catches of saltwater fish for a chance to win one of 10 grands prizes at the conclusion of the tournament. STAR began on May 25 and concluded on September 2, 2024.
“I am completely shocked and so excited to be the winner of the brand new boat for the inaugural CCA California STAR Tournament,” said Drazba. “I am more than happy to support CCA in any way I can, and now am looking forward to spending more time on the water now thanks to this great organization.”
Youth prizes in the 2024 STAR Tournament were awarded at the same ceremony, including a Hobie Mirage Compass Kayak to Cash Troop, 17, from Temecula. “I am so stoked to win this great prize,” said Troop. “I look forward to fishing in the STAR Tournament again next year.”
“Congratulations to the winners in this, the first-ever CCA California STAR Tournament,” said Chris Wheaton, chair of the CCA California STAR Tournament Committee. “It was open to party boat, private boat and shore anglers alike, designed to encourage strong participation and at the same time support CCA’s fight for our right to fish and conserve California marine resources.
“I also want to personally thank each of our generous STAR prize sponsors who provided prizes valued at $75,000, as well as the landings, tackle retailers, sportfishing boats and others who went above and beyond to support and promote STAR and CCA California,” Wheaton added. “Going forward, our goal is to continue to grow the STAR Tournament each year and make it the biggest saltwater fishing event in the state of California, and we can’t do it without great sponsors and supporters of CCA California.”
Nine other fabulous prizes were also won in the drawing by anglers who submitted qualified STAR catches, including:
Week-long trip to Costa Rica with Fishing Nosara – Jesse Link – Lomita
Tern Link D8 Bike from Tern Bikes – Chet Prak – Irvine
Trip to Cedros Island with Cedros Kayak Fishing – Gerry Mahieu – Fountain Valley
Premium Package from Costa Sunglasses – Scott Sawa – Torrance
5 Day Trip to Alaska or Baja with Pacific Sportfishing Alliance – Tom Troop – Temecula
Guided Fly Fishing Trip in Sitka with Sitka Fish – John Hochadel – Whittier
NK180 Electric Motor from Newport Vessels – Davey Brown – Yorba Linda
Trip to La Paz with Tailhunter International – Nick Salcedo – San Luis Obispo
3-Day Trip with the Intrepid Sportfishing – Frank Santiago – Santee
In addition to the Hobie Mirage Compass Kayak won by Cash Troop, the five other Youth Division prize winners included:
Fishing Syndicate Inshore rod with a Penn Fathom 300 Reel – Bobby Meza – San Diego
$1,000 Gift Card to AFTCO – Shnuer Sulami – Beverly Hills
$500 Gift card to Island Fishing Tackle – Shaun Lovett – San Diego
Okuma PCH Inshore Rod with a Komodo 273 Reel – Finneas Day – Los Angeles
To learn more, visit CCACalifornia.org.
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ABOUT CCA CALIFORNIA: The non-profit Coastal Conservation Association of California was created in 2015 when recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts came together to work for the conservation and enhancement of our marine resources and coastal environments. Today, we are working to protect not only the health, habitat, and sustainability of our marine resources, as well as the interests of saltwater anglers. Our goal is to protect your access to the marine resources you cherish and enjoy every day. CCA CAL consists of members spread across local chapters in California and growing every day.
