Young Anglers Cast Off to Win Fishing Competition

Being barely able to rest his arms on the pier’s railing did not keep Marcos Lucil from losing his cool. Eyes locked and focused on any movement at the tip of his rod, the 7-year-old let out a sigh and checked with his friends whether any of them got a bite.

“I snagged a small fish, but I’m now using it as bait,” says his friend Joseph Letizia, 8.

Marcos, who has been angling since he was 4, came to the fishing derby with high hopes. But seeing the slow action alongside him, he decided to leave his bait and tackle and check out an early catch of the day, a shark head resting on a nearby bait table.

Marcos and Joseph weren’t alone.

For the more than 100 kids ages 6 to 15 years old, the second annual Oceanside Pier Bait Store Kid’s Fish Derby on Saturday was starting off slow—a couple of snags and a few bites, but no clear head-turner.

“We’re just happy to get the kids out fishing, rather than have them sit in front of the TV the whole day,” said Pam Gonsalves, who owns the bait store with her husband, Ed.

The derby, which is judged on the type of fish caught, serves a dual purpose. For Ken Jones, organizer and president of the United Pier and Shore Anglers of Southern California, the event is a great way to get children hooked on fishing from Oceanside to Berkeley, where his group holds five tournaments yearly.

“We’re just trying to introduce angling to your kids,” Jones said.  “Some of the kids here have fished before and, for some, this is their first time,” he said. The derby is a joint venture with the International Game Fish Association, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Jones’ club.

“Any fish they catch will be counted and judged from one point up to 12,” said event judge Lee Wood, a member of Oceanside Senior Anglers. “If it’s a legal fish, it counts more. If not, they still get points, but they have to release them.” 

An angler holding a mackerel soon walks up to Woods and a group of other judges, ready to tally his points.

The Oceanside Senior Anglers, however, does more than fish and judge local competitions. The group, which has over 600 members, mentors children wanting to develop their sea legs and cast a line out in the ocean, and it is a major supporter of military troops.

“Two of our major projects are taking kids fishing in the ocean and Wounded Warriors,” said Fred Kazzmarek, who was also judging the day’s catch. “We have a lot of fun and it’s been a project that’s been very supported by the community for the last 15 years—our trips teach kids and new anglers the sizes and legalities of fishing.”

More fish reach land, mostly sardines, silver fish and small perch.

“I want to catch a halibut. But, right now, it’s just a waiting game,” said Arian Meshhagi. “I’m having fun, though.”

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