ALAMEDA—The way things are right now, there's a brand new Accurate rod and reel that will go unclaimed in the NorCal Anglers Saltwater Shootout. Why? Because, believe it or not, nobody has weighed in a striped bass! In addition, the top leopard shark weighed in so far is less than 8 pounds, an easy mark for anyone signed up in the Shootout to overtake. The biggest halibut so far is 30 pounds, 10 ounces, so that presents a challenge, but even so, there are many, many prizes up for grabs. As of Aug. 13, the top spot for leopard shark was held by Daniel Delong, who came into Gus' Discount Tackle in San Francisco on Aug. 10 at 8 a.m to weigh in the 7-pound, 9-ounce leopard shark. On Aug. 7, Jason Trascher weighed in the 30-pound, 10-ounce halibut at West Marine in Alameda, currently in the lead for that species. Striped bass, however, have been a no-show, probably because everyone thinks there is already a larger bass on the books. Wrong! There have been none weighed in at all! The NorCal Anglers Saltwater Shootout is open to anyone who pays the $20 registration fee and enters the Shootout. All sign-ups will be through our main office by calling Ashley at (949) 366-0030, Ext. 38, or by contacting her for information via email at Ashley@wonews.com, or preferably by filling out the application form on the back cover of WON, and mailing a check or money order payable to Western Outdoors for the $20 entry fee and mailing it to WON, P.O. Box 73370, San Clemente, Ca. 92673. Next up, is to begin fishing! Anglers may weigh in as many fish in any of the three target species of halibut, striped bass and leopard shark, as they wish until Aug. 28 when the Shootout ends. Bring your fish in to any of the official weigh stations to be recorded. Winners will be announced in Western Outdoor News after the event ends. The angler with the top fish in each of the three categories will will win a new Accurate rod and reel. A new Yamaha generator will be awarded through a drawing of all those who enter the Shootout. Then, winners will be drawn for even more free prizes, including a $250 Global Fish Mounts gift certificate, a Tilia Food Saver, six Woody Wax Boat Care kits, nine pairs of Costa del Mar sunglasses, 10 Berkley big Game/Gulp assortments, 10 Owner Hook assortments and 10 Plano Tackle boxes. For the top fish taken from a private boat, we'll be giving away a Lowrance HD system. Here's a list of all the weigh-in stations: West Marine 730 Buena Vista Alameda 94501 (510) 521-4865 Outdoor Pro Shop 1822 Embarcadero Oakland 94606 (510) 532-2824 Gus’ Discount Tackle 3710 Balboa St. San Francisco 94121 (415) 752-6197 Emeryville Sportfishing Center 3310 Powell St. Emeryville 94608 (510) 654-6040 Benicia Bait & Tackle 509 Claverie Way Benicia 94510 (707) 745-4921 Discount Mart Bay Tackle 5815 Cutting Blvd. El Cerrito, CA 95430 (510) 235-2032  |
