BAJA REPORT

Published: Mar 02, 2011 WON’s Ensenada Coral Saltwater Championship July 22-23

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WON NEWS UPDATE New summer dates, three-division, multi-species format, cash optionals and transportation options for anglers and families Western Outdoor News ENSENADA TOURNEY IS BACK!— The biggest news of the show at the booth is the return, after three years, of the annual WON Ensenada tournament, which this year will offer three divisions, optional jackpots, prizes, payouts, prizes and will have prime dates at the beautiful Hotel Coral. The WON Coral Saltwater Championship is slated for July 22-23. Cost is $100 for each anger on a boat, with no limit to the number of anglers, the same format for the Catalina event. Teams must be made up of at least 2 anglers. Fish will be allowed from the end of the captains meeting on Friday at about 7 p.m. to the weigh-in on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. The awards buffet will be begin at 7 p.m. Paydowns in each division will be based in participation. For 150 anglers, the payouts will be $1,000, $500 and $300 for top three teams in each division, based on 150 anglers, amounts will rise based in participation. (Example: 300 anglers, first place gets $2,000, second $1,000, third $600.) Optional jackpots in each division will be $100, $200 and $300, 80 percent payback. Teams can compete in as many divisions as they want. “More fishing, more paydowns, more prizes, better weather, and a beautiful venue in the heart of fishing season off northern Baja,” said Pat McDonell, WON Editor and again the director of the event that drew 65 teams the last time it was held. He also directs to the Cabo Tuna Jackpot in November and the upcoming Catalina Island white seabass championship. “It’s time to get back to Baja and this beautiful hotel and marina.” Details on all WON events are at wonews.com “This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, and it’s not without a great game plan to make it successful after three years off the grid,” said McDonell. “It’s a new format, a new title sponsor in the Hotel Coral and Marina, a new name, a mid-July date a month later when fishing is prime inshore and offshore and the weather is warmer. When people read about all that is being done to make this event a success, they will come. Better weather, better fishing, better goodie bags, food, and several transportation options for teams and families.” There will be three money/prize divisions for bass, tuna and yellowtail, and three cash options of $100, $200 and $300 for each with the winners decided with three biggest fish weighed, and a grand prize drawing among the nine teams from the three divisions. In addition, there will be multiple drawings for sponsors prizes, and the Hotel Coral is providing events hats and t-shirts at check-in, a carne asada buffet for anglers at the sit-down awards ceremony, and low rates for their newly refurbished rooms. Plus, they are offering door to door transportation (7-person vans for $150 to $200/Newport to San Diego) for families who do not wish to drive across the border, and luxury 19-passenger Mercedes busses for families frim West Marine on Rosecrans to the hotel and back for less than $15, round trip. “The hotel is eager to bring back this event. With all the great aspects of the tourney, the beautiful hotel and all the effort being made to draw anglers back to Ensenada” said McDonell, ”you can count on it being a success. There are the concerns of the border, and we are addressing those fears with alternative transportation for families. The guys can travel by water or by the road, and they can meet their families at home after the van ride, or at West Marine. The cost of the van rides frim West Marine will be under $15 for the round trip, and the cost of the van, from your home to the hotel and back, is $200 as far as Newport Beach, $175 from San Clemente and North San Diego County, and $150 from southern San Diego County. WON’s Gary Graham will also be hosting a trailerboat caravan on Friday and then back on Sunday for those interested. “I feel many anglers will just make the ride by boat, a 60-mile run from Shelter Island that will be a spectacular way to get in three days of fishing from Friday to Monday, although. The hotel is also going to entice the ladies with hosted trips. One is a tour of the almost 60 wineries of the Guadalupe Valley. There will also be discounted spa treatments and golf at the seaside course at Baja Mar. Of course, the hotel is on the water with two swimming pools and whirlpools and each rooms has a view of the Pacific. For details, go to wonews.com or e-mail the director and WON Editor Pat McDonell at pat@wonews.com. WON Coral Saltwater Championship details, Schedule Date:  Friday and Saturday, July 22-23 Schedule: Check-in Friday, July 22, noon to 5:30 p.m., Captains’ Meeting 5 to 7 p.m., teams released at end of captains meeting, weigh-in Saturday, 3-6, p.m., awards and casual carne asada taco buffet, prizes, drawings at 7 p.m. Format: Three divisions (bass, yellowtail, tuna) Top weight of three fish. Paydowns to third in each division. Optionals are $100, $200 and $300, cash only. Nine optionals total. 80 percent payback. Entry fee: $100 a person, two-man teams and larger. All boat passengers must be a team member. No exceptions. Contacts: Pat McDonell, Director (949) 366-0030, ext 33  or pat@wonews.com.Download entry forms at wonews.com and mail in, or sign up online via credit card. Optional pay-ins are cash only, at check-in. For hotel reservations, call the Hotel Coral and Marina at 1 800 026 3100; from Mexico, call 01-800-026-3100. Website is www.hotelcoral.com   THE HOTEL CORAL AND MARINA is the official host of the event, and even during the downturn in business, has been refurbishing its rooms and common areas, and of course the marina is first class. The tournament will be held under an event tent on the grass right above the marina, the same place it was hosted the last time it was held. The hotel is offering fantastic room rates (starting at $210 for 2 nights, and includes launch fee/slip and two contimental breakfasts). There are several hotel room options.  You can also bring your boat by water and pay for a slip and use the hotel facility. (Right click above/below to print/register)