Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby Raises Money For Kids

Releasing a derby fish back to the Pacific.
Derby winner Reggie Beauvias and Krystyn Lambert, “Miss Halibut 2017” and his halibut. (Photos By Vicki Toler Photography)

The Marina del Rey Halibut Derby took place this past weekend on April 29 and 30 at Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey. A total of 84 anglers participated in the two day event to help raise funds for the Marina del Rey Anglers’ Youth Fishing Program and White Sea Bass Grow Out Program. These two great programs allow the club to take over 500 at risk and disabled children fishing and release 10,000 juvenile White Sea Bass annually.

Participants powered through windy conditions in search for the winning fish. With the option to target halibut, white seabass, and yellowtail, placing within the top ranks was within everyone’s reach. According to Derby co-chairman Keith Lambert, “I’m very happy for Reggie, our top winner. He had first place for his fish and even the top raffle prize!”

The top five individual winners took home some impressive prizes including a fishing trip to Alaska, La Paz, and a three-day offshore trip for the top three anglers. A special thank you goes out to Sitka Point Lodge, Tailhunter International, and Vagabond Sportfishing for generously providing the top three prizes. There was a separate team cash jackpot competition where the top three teams took home a hefty bounty. The winners are as follows:Individual Anglers:

1st – Reggie Beauvais – 27.8-pound California halibut
2nd – Steve Legere – 8.2-pound bag of live calico bass (3) **
3rd – Eddie Flores – 7.9-pound California Halibut Includes a 25% live Bonus 4th – Oleg Astanov – 7.5-pound California Halibut Includes a 25% live Bonus 5th – Miguel Zamora – 6.4-pound California Halibut Includes a 25-percent live Bonus

** The live calico, (kelp) bass are released at the weigh-in dock.

Teams:
1st – Game Over – 27.8 pounds combined: Reggie Beauvis, Sean Candelaria, Danny Liming

2nd – Glass Cutter – 11.0 pounds combined: Miguel Zamora, Jack Kell, Mike Milstead
3rd – Bugs – 8.2 pounds combined: Steven Legere, Dylan Legere

Entrants and friends feasted on delicious BBQ beef sandwiches, coleslaw, and potato salad from Outback Catering. Participants, friends, and family received over $10,000 worth in prizes during the awards ceremony and raffle; thanks to our generous sponsors. Most went home with a prize but everyone went home with a big smile on their face. A big thanks to 2017 Miss Halibut Krystyn Lambert for helping out at the weigh-in, awards ceremony, and raffle. It was a great event and the Marina del Rey Anglers look forward to putting on the show again in 2018. Hope to see you there!

For more information please visit www.halibutderby.com. To see the charity work funded by this fun little fishing event look for the “outreach” tab.