SEAL BEACH, Calif. – Seagulls screeched and waves crashed as hundreds of young fishers cast their lines from the Seal Beach Pier for the 33rd Annual Fishing Derby. The event, founded by the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos, Cypress and Seal Beach, has drawn support from several community organizations over the years, including the Lions Club, Leos and Los Alamitos High School’s Interact club.
The Fishing Derby began at 7 a.m, while the local Department of Fish and Wildlife began registering participants. The Seal Beach Lions Club opened up the event’s pancake breakfast, with help from several Los Alamitos High School students volunteering through the Leos Club.
“I’m at the plate section, but we have everyone else stationed at the table, just making sure the customers are having a great time,” said five year member and Vice President of Leos Club, LAHS sophomore Tristan Carvajal.
Out on the pier, the Department of Fish and Wildlife loaned fishing equipment and demonstrated to first-time fishers how to use it. Long Beach City Coordinator Brian Young has been helping with the event for nearly 20 years.
“It’s one of the only programs the department has that we actually come out to the communities and provide opportunities to recreate at the community level,” Young said.
Once a participant caught a fish, they would bring it to be weighed before releasing it back into the ocean. The LAHS Interact Club provided volunteer students to help cut bait, weigh the fish and keep derby records.
“My favorite part, personally, is connecting with my community,” Interact Club Junior Co-President Adrian Lopez said. “I just get to see everyone enjoying themselves, having a good time. I think it’s really important for us to be together as a community.”
For the past five years, the LAHS Interact Club has also offered donation-based face painting near the weigh-in stand.
“Whether it’s hosting a kids’ fishing derby, or doing face paint, or some sort of other activity, we like to make sure everyone here has a good time,” Interact Club Junior Co-President Era Berani said. “Sometimes it can be boring for kids after they get their first fish, so we like to offer them something else. We’re just here to put some smiles on people’s faces.”
The event ended with an award ceremony for the top three fish in each age category. First place in each category earned a trophy and a bike, while second and third earned a trophy and a fishing rod.
12-year-old Ryleigh placed first in the ages 12 to 15 category with a halibut weighing in at 2 pounds and 5 ounces. Another participant, Luke, placed second, with 1 pound 8 ounces, and derby participant Jack placed third with 1 pound and 3 ounces.
“(Winning first place is) awesome because I’ve never done this before, and I came in not thinking I was going to get a fish at all,” Ryleigh said. “This summer we went to Hawaii, and that’s when my brother and I really started fishing. We have a bunch of friends that do it, so we’ve been going with them this summer.”
Jaxon earned first in the ages 7 to 11 category with 2 pounds and 2 ounces. Hudson placed second with 1 pound 11 ounces and Daniel placed third with 1 pound 4 ounces.
6-year-old Teagan placed first in the under-six division, with a catch of 1 pound and 3 ounces. Hudson placed second with 7.5 ounces and Gabrerio placed third with 4.5 ounces.
All fishers, new or experienced, enjoyed this annual community event. Although the majority of fishers were in the 7-11 category, several LAHS high schoolers also registered to participate in the derby.
“It’s always really fun to catch a fish and see the other fish that people are catching,” LAHS sophomore Miles Nelson said.
Despite the foggy weather, more than 380 kids registered to fish. This year has been the largest so far, with a nearly 20% higher registration than in previous years.
“I think the best part is watching the kids run up to weigh their fish,” Rotary Club president and Los Alamitos Education Foundation Board Member Randy Hill said, “they’re all so excited that they caught a fish, and it’s definitely the best part.”
