HARBOUR ROD & REEL CLUB 2004
History Report Submitted by Marilyn Henson, Historian
On January 11, 2004, the Harbour Rod & Reel Club held its Tenth Annual Awards and Installation brunch at the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club. There were 110 members and guests for the brunch, which was organized by Connie eidnanM Outgoing President, Bob Mandie, thanked the members and the board members for a great year. Doug Bannister installed incoming President, Norm Huniu and the Elected Officers and Board Members for 2004 were installed as follows:
Following the installation of the board members, Norm Huniu awarded fish story gag gifts and Rob Henson awarded the trophies to the 2003 top anglers of our club.
February 20th was the annual Chili Cook-offwith the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club. There was a great turnout of both HHYC and HRRC members and friends and lots and lots of chili at the joint event. Lina Monroe was the chairperson for this event and she is also a member of both clubs. The “White Chili” took first place and our own Chris Lester came in third for her fabulous chili. This was the fourth time that Chris has placed with her chili. Way to go Chris!
In February, Bill Woodard started a new fishing tradition. He introduced the “Butts and Bagels” fishing trips. For three weekends, members fished on other members’ boats and caught over 60 halibuts, some shorts and lots of keepers, too. Peter Fellows had the 1st and 2nd Place halibuts and Bill Woodard took 3rd Place. Thank you Bill for suggesting the event and to Dan Ward for organizing the event.
On March 18th, Phil Arroyo, manager of Rick’s Bait and Tackle, gave a seminar on Surf Fishing. A nice crowd of30 adults and 4 kids were interested to find out that most of the fish caught offshore could also be caught in the surf Ronnie Kovack talked about White Sea Bass and Calico Bass at the April 15th seminar. He brought red hooks and told the crowd that they were the hot ticket. Were they? Ronnie brought raflle prizes, as did Mako Matt. Thank you both for donating to the raffle.
April 16th -18th was supposed to be the first annual White Sea Bass Tournament. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and only a couple of boats braved the weather and fished. No White Sea Bass were caught this time.
The annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta was held on Siete de Mayo and had well over one hundred members and guests from the HHYC and our club. Rafael the Magician put on a great show and even had the little members helping him in his act. Dancers in their native costumes also entertained the guests.
On May zo”, 42 club members, family and mends boarded Alaska Airlines for the annual Palmas de Cortez fishing trip on the East Cape. This trip was the first time for fourteen of them. The fish count for the trip included 27 striped marlin released, 64 yellowfin tuna to 54 lbs., 7 dorado to 44 lbs., 1 wahoo weighting 55 lbs. and 3 roosterfish. Other activities enjoyed by the group were ATV bike riding, surf fishing, snorkeling, massages, shopping and trips into the little town of San Jose Del Cabo. Thank you NOJm and Jessica Parker for again chairing this event.
Mark Wisch was the June 17th seminar speaker. He talked about local fishing and the tackle, line and lures to use.
June 26th and 27th was supposed to be the Dana Point Raft-Up. Doug Bannister and family and Bill Woodard and Dan Ward tried to anchor, but couldn’t. So, they all had to go home.
This year, the club had a combo Night Sand Bass Fishing and Family Fishing Event on the same weekend. July 16th and 17th were the nights to fish for the sand bass and the fish were there. The winning team of Rob Henson, Dan Ward, Mako Matt and Kristin Potter caught a total weight of 31 Ibs. of sand bass. Individual winners were Mako Matt Potter, Kristin Potter and Max Fellows. July is” was family day and about 30 members and mends regrouped at the yacht club for an early dinner and exchanging fish stories.
The fifth annual Annie Get Your Rod Ladies Tournament was held on August ts”. Twenty-eight lady anglers on eleven boats were all on time for the shotgun start at the entrance of the harbour. Dave and Diana Casey and Dan Ward were the event captains and Dan awarded prizes to the lady anglers throughout the day. The top lady anglers were: Vicki Taylor for the largest yellowtail; Kristin Potter with the largest halibut, sand bass and calico bass; Amy Jahn for the largest barracuda and Julie Huniu with the largest Bonita. The most species award went to Connie and Kelly Mandie. Thank you to all of the ladies who fished (and their crew!) for making this tournament a great success.
Following the great day of fishing was an even greater dinner at the kingdom of King. Preston hosted the awards dinner for the masses. Funny, it didn’t seem like there were that many people fishing?!? Bill and Joyce Woodard donated the wine and Diana Casey served her wonderful desserts.
On August 19th, Gabe Buhr, M.S. research Biologist and Growout Facility Coordinator at the Hubbs-Seaworld ResearchInstitute gave a seminar on the White Seabass Enhancement Program.
Mark and Joyce Zimmerman hosted this year’s New Member’s Social on August zs”. The Mexican Fiesta was a great hit with the fifty-one “new” and “old” members enjoying lots of margaritas and fish tacos. For entertainment, 200 candles blew out on the patio.
The Master Angler’s Billfish Tournament was held on September 17th _19th. Our own Eric Grennen fishing aboard Punky Langston’s Double Hook-Up, not only caught the first marlin of the tournament, he also claimed the High Angler award and won the High Boat award as well. Way to go Eric! Ten boats were entered from our club: Talkin’ Tuna, Sparkler, Reel Time, Fiesta, Katie B, Rock and Reel, Class Sea D, Island Princess Too, Tapped Out and the winner Double Hook-Up. All in all, there were eight clubs, 59 boats and 240 anglers in the tournament.
October 8th, 9th, and lOth was the HRRC First Time Ever Offshore Tournament. Event Captain Dan Ward ran the tournament from Fish N Fun and NOt IIIHuniu hosted the awards dinner on Sunday. The winners ofthe HRRC FTEOT were John Thompson, Chris Hull and tied for third, Bill Woodard, Jim Persons and Dan Ward.
The Kids had their very own Kid’s Fishing Seminar on October 17th. Bob Mandie hosted the seminar on his dock. The kids received “hands on” instruction on basic fishing skills, knots, gear, handling Jive bait, casting, etc. They also got lunch! Thanks to Bruce Masterton for chairing the seminar.
Tom Raftican, President of the United Anglers of Southern California, presented the last seminar ofthe year on October zo”. He gave a “State of the (fishing) Union” address on the fishing industry, the closures of fishing areas and the h.o.p.e. pens for white seabass.
The Kid’s In-Harbour Fishing Derby was held on a nice Sunday, October 24th. Twentyfive kids on eleven boats were in the harbour at 7:00 a.m. Bruce Masterton and his crew of Dan Ward, Bob Mandie and Steve Kimbrough passed out scorecards, tackle, live anchovies and ghost shrimp to the kids.
After all of the fishing was done, Connie Mandie, Cinta Murray, Steve Godal, Margie Finlay and Cam Masterson had a Halloween themed lunch waiting for the kids and parents at the yacht club. Then came the awards. Braden King and Cameron King won in the eight years and younger age group. Preston King and Brandon Wood won in the 9 to 13-age category. Chris Gialsetsis and Max Fellows won in the 14 to 18-age category with Max winning the overall biggest fish award with a 3 lb. 912 oz. Halibut. Yea Max!
The ever-popular Casting Contest and Family Social was held at the yacht club on November 10th. Kathy Bayless, Don Miller and Dave Brackman proved to be the casters of the day. Michelle Monroe won again in the kids division. Julie Huniu was the hostess and did a marvelous job. Thanks to all the members for making this a fun event.
Friday, December 3rd was the second annual Christmas Holiday Party at the yacht club. Julie Huniu presented presents to all in the holiday spirit. Katie Ulrich (#2 daughter of John and Cristi) and the “Surf City Singers” from the Academy ofPerfonning Arts at Huntington Beach High School entertained us with holiday songs and dance. Katie even sang a solo! Santa gave presents to all of the little and not so little younger members and friends at the party. A fine time was had by all!
Our club was represented by our very own president Norman Huniu and David Farley in the Huntington Harbour Boat Parade the weekend of December 11th and 12th.
Rabbi NOlIn and Rabbi Dave were the “Jews Brothers” and they won the club an award. Thanks to Dan Ward for captaining the boat. Well done Brothers!
The following is a list of Harbour Rod and Reel Club’s Top Anglers of 2004. Congratulations to all!
