August brought us a great bite on Yellowtail and Bluefin Tuna at the Coronado Islands which quite frankly was the only game in town as the main bluefin schools were still 60-95 miles west and bluefin being bluefin they would bite one day and be absent for the next 2-3 days in a different location. Upwards of 100 boats fishing the islands in 3 different spots called for tight fishing conditions and tempers sometimes flared up. An even bigger issue was the fact that the Everingham bait supply became inconsistent causing the sale of bait to private boats to be restricted to ½ scoop only and occasionally not even available to the private fleet in both Mission and San Diego Bay. Even the Sportfishing Boats have had to endure reduced bait supply sometimes only getting half of what would be normal thus limiting their ability to chum. The general consensus is the Mexican BFT Co-Op off the Coronado and Todos Santos Islands are sending their seiners out to set their nets up and down the Baja Coast to catch enough bait to feed all these tons of tuna in their holding pens and it is finally catching up and putting a drain on the local ecosystem. Nothing we can do about it for now and just hope the situation gets better.

One of our longest surviving MBMC members passed this week; Jimmy Valentine. I have fond memories of Jimmy filled with laughter as he was part of the old guard in the club who showed us how to catch marlin however nobody knew Jim better than Paul Himmelberger; Paul recalled Jimmy’s history in the club with this note: 

“It is with great sadness that I need to inform you all that Jimmy Valentine has died. Jimmy was 84 years old and passed away last Tuesday, September 26, 2025. I have known Jimmy since sometime in 1975 as he and I first appeared in the Mission Bay Marlin Club yearbook in 1976. His boat at that time was “Barmodo.” Later “Time Out.” This was, in my mind, the boat that I associate most with Jimmy. It was moored at the Islandia Marina where the Mission Bay Marlin Clubhouse was located. Later, “My Toy” but “Time Out” is his legacy for us old timers. He quietly participated in the club activities that were held there on a weekly basis. Later he was elected President in 1980 and served in many other capacities throughout the years. He will be missed. Tight lines, Jimmy!” – Paul Himmelberger

Well it’s a little early at press time but it looks like John Brudvik will go back to back on the Fish of the Month for August with another BFT @ 134.6# BFT again taken off San Clemente Island I presume. There are still 3 days left so who knows if it will stand up only you can knock him off. John’s BFT also holds the top spot in the Month long Tuna Tourney with Tim Honick in 2nd with a 37.4 and Jeff Meeker in 3rd with a 36.8; both taken off South Coronado Island on the DOGHOUSE next to the Tuna Pens on a Spreader Bar. It shouldn’t be too hard to knock Tim & Jeff out with a decent Tuna; rumor has it Brudvik might take all 3 spots but we won’t know until the end of the month Please remember to email your weigh slips within 72 hours to info@missionbaymarlinclub.org and please fill out the form completely so I won’t have to make up the location, Hook up time, Time to boat, etc.

Our Kenny Schilling Seminar August 23rd @ Bay Park Fish Co. (including a free lunch to all members in attendance) was a huge success as Kenny relived many of his marlin fishing adventures and told us what worked for him and what works today as he has caught and released hundreds if not thousands of marlin over the years. Kenny brought longtime friend and swordfishing legend Maurice Smith to the seminar and Maurice touched on some of his adventures while running a successful commercial swordfish harpoon operation over many years while also captaining many of the big sportfishing tournament yachts in Southern California. Maurice offered to come back and get into further detail so the Club is negotiating with a few larger venues and planning for an early November seminar/lunch. Details in a further OOPSLINE.

The September Monthlong Marlin Tourney began Monday, September 1st and is free to all members so email your entry to the Club info@missionbaymarlinclub.org 

• Monthlong Marlin Entry Form and Rules     
• Tag & Release Form

While you’re at it get your entry in for the September 12 & 13th MBMC Annual and Final Marlin Tournament, our last big meeting for the Club and a chance to win Big Money for captured or released fish and there will still be an optional Tuna Division as in years past. Ray Fear will hold another fabulous MBMC Raffle so don’t miss out as your Club gives back! The MBMC Board has decided on a $50 Entry fee for Members and an $150 Entry Fee for Non-Members. And just like all the previous Marlin Tourneys, there is a September 1st Early Bird Entry Deadline to be eligible for a Custom Marlin Casting Rod and Shimano TN 30 Reel. Click for Tournament Entry Forms (also attached) So save the date and get ready.

Good fishing to all!, Jeff

2025 Tournament Schedule:

• September 1-30 Marlin
• MBMC Marlin Tourney Friday 9/12 Captains Meeting – Saturday 9/13 Lines In – Sunday
• Awards Dinner & Raffle
• November 15 & 16 Rockcod (With a separate Lingcod Division

The September tournament for the 2025 season is the JERRY AND ROY LIVELY MONTH LONG MARLIN TOURNAMENT, September 1 through September 30.  This tournament is limited to MBMC members only.  Member entry fees have been eliminated for this year. Yes!, the tournament is open to all MBMC Members by just submitting an Entry Form.

Top Angler, 2nd, and 3rd place will be decided by the angler with the most points for each single fish – one point per pound for weighed in fish and 130 points for a released fish. In the case of a tie, a random drawing will be held to determine the winner using one chance per submitted fish. The species targeted in this tournament is MARLIN only.  Cash/Gift Card worth $500 for 1st Place, $250 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place.

See Entry Form and Rules for details along with a Tag-and-Release Form.

Greetings MBMC!

It’s the 1st week in August and the summer fishing season is in full swing. Yellowtail, Calico Bass and Cuda are on the chew @ La Jolla; Yellows are off the charts @ the Coronados on bait, Iron, and Rapalas; 20-200# BFT are anywhere from the Butterfly Bank to Santa Barbara Island, in fact John Brudvik came home with a 124.3# BFT in late July; and Marlin are starting to show on the Offshore Banks as Chris Bailey captured the 2025 1st Marlin Release Flag on 7/27 on a jig at the 267 off Dana Point.

We still have August and September which should only get better so now’s the time to get down to the boat, use your MBMC Fuel Discount @ Dana and go fishing! When you get to the end of the jetty just turn right or left or with a full tank go straight there’s fish out there to catch and we’re really surprised we only had 5-6 boats in last month’s Yellowtail Tourney. The tourney is free to all members and the rewards are higher than they have ever been with $500 1st Place, 250 2nd and 100 for 3rd. That could be a full tank of fuel, 10 Full scoops of bait, a new Rod or Reel, but unfortunately Billy they won’t honor Dana Gift Cards @ Pacers. Sign ups are so easy just fill out the Entry Form, scan it, and email it to info@missionbaymarlinclub.org before you go. Non-Members can fish on Member Boats as well but their catches can not be entered into the Tourney.

We have a fresh new Fish of the Month Winner for July with John Brudvik with a 124.3# BFT taken off San Clemente Island I presume. Please remember to email your weigh slips within 72 hours to info@missionbaymarlinclub.org and please fill out the form completely so I won’t have to make up the location, Hook up time, Time to boat, etc.

The July Month Long Yellowtail Tourney had several fish weighed in from Kelp Paddys, La Jolla and the Coronados with Chris Bailey claiming the $500 1st Place Gift Card on a 19.2# yellow; it took 2 trips to the Islands for Jeff Meeker to secure the $250 2nd Place prize with an 18# tail and John Brudvik’s 16.0 earned him the $100 3rd Place Card.

This month’s Tuna Tournament has gotten off to a slow start as the BFT have moved outside our local 30 mile range and are now centered outside San Clemente Island for the most part however an occasional wolfpack have been seen within 40-50 miles of Mission Bay and although we haven‘t seen them yet we should get a push of Yellowfin Tuna up from the south by the end of the month. Dorado have already been found on a few kelps. Remember this tournament is a Members only tournament free to all current members. You must submit your Tourney Entry Form online before you go and you can add members at any time during the month with a new revised entry before you go. Click here for Entry Form and Rules.

Largest Fish rewards with Gift Certificates worth $500 for 1st, 250 for 2nd, and 100 for 3rd.

Our Kenny Schilling will be giving a Seminar August 23rd @ Bay Park Fish Co. including a free lunch to all members in attendance. Don’t miss it and remember Ray Fear will have several MBMC Logo T Shirts on sale so come and get your shirt size before he runs out. Both Log and Short Sleeve on sale. Please RSVP to Ken Yasuda by August 19th so we can give a count to Bay Park. See the attached Flyer.

Mark your calendars and save September 12 & 13 for the MBMC Annual and Final Marlin Tournament, our last big meeting for the Club and a chance to win Big Money for captured or released fish and there will still be an optional Tuna Division as in years past. Ray Fear will hold another fabulous MBMC Raffle so don’t miss out as your Club gives back! The MBMC Board has decided on a $50 Entry fee for Members and an $150 Entry Fee for Non-Members. And just like all the previous Marlin Tourneys, there is a September 1st Early Bird Entry Deadline to be eligible for a Custom Marlin Casting Rod and Shimano TN 30 Reel. Tournament Entry Forms link . So save the date and get ready.

2025 Tournament Schedule:

• August 1-31 Tuna (Except Skipjack)
• September 1-30 Marlin
• MBMC Marlin Tourney Friday 9/12 Captains Meeting – Saturday 9/13 Lines In – Sunday Awards Dinner & Raffle
• November 1-30 Rockcod (With a separate Lingcod Division)

Take advantage of the next 2-3 months of great weather and get out there, sign up for the Monthly Tournaments, and go get some fish in 2025 and with any luck have the Club reward you with a Gift Card! 

Jeff Meeker

Happy Fourth of July !

Our June Seminar with Mike “The Beak” Hurt held June 7th at the Bay Park Fish Co. was a huge success and a great time to catch up with several members whom I haven’t seen in a long time combined with a great Taco Bar and another fabulous Ray Fear Raffle made it for a great day and I can’t wait for the next Kenny Schilling Seminar August 23rd @ Bay Park Fish Co. including a free lunch to all members in attendance. Don’t miss it and remember Ray Fear will have several MBMC Logo T Shirts on sale so come and get your shirt size before he runs out. Both Long and Short Sleeve on sale.

June saw slightly warmer ocean temps and with it an invasion of Squid Beds from Pt Loma all the way to Del Mar however the gamefish were slow to locate them and the fishing was comparatively slow; you had to put in your time to get results and that’s what Jim Kelly did as he swept 1st and 2nd Place in our June Halibut/White Sea Bass Tourney with a 41.8 lb WSB and a 30.2 lb Halibut taking home $750 in prize money. THE BFT fishing was on and off again as the full moon shut the bite down and the fish disappeared from the back side of San Clemente Island for a while but fortunately reappeared closer off the Butterfly and moved even closer within 40 miles by the end of the month. Calico Fishing in the kelp beds was off the charts especially if you jigged some squid off the squid beds and took it off Pt Loma and La Jolla. Yellowtail started to show offshore on the kelps and there was a decent bite on 20-30 lb. yellowtail at the islands.

Not to sound like a broken record but the Fish of the Month Winner for June is Jim Kelly again with his 41.8 lb White Sea Bass taken on 6/27 over a squid bed. Please remember to email your weigh slips within 72 hours to info@missionbaymarlinclub.org.

July brings us the Month Long Yellowtail Tourney.  Remember, this tournament is a Members only tournament , free to all current members. You must submit your Tourney Entry Form online before you go fishing. You can add members at any time during the month, but the new revised entry must be submitted before the added angler goes fishing. Largest Yellowtail rewards with Gift Certificates worth $500 for 1st, $250 for 2nd, and $100 for 3rd.  Click for Entry and Rules.

Mark your calendars and save September 12 & 13 for the MBMC Annual Marlin Tournament, our last big meeting for the Club and a chance to win Big Money for captured or released fish and there will still be an optional Tuna Division as in years past. Ray Fear will hold another fabulous MBMC Raffle so don’t miss out as your Club gives back!

2025 Tournament Schedule:

• July 1-31 Yellowtail
• August 1-31 Tuna (Except Skipjack)
• September 1-30 Marlin
• MBMC Marlin Tourney Friday 9/12 Captains Meeting – Saturday 9/13 Lines In – Sunday
• Awards Dinner & Raffle
• November 1-30 Rockcod (With a separate Lingcod Division)

Summer has finally arrived so get those boats out on the water and do what you like to do: GO FISH!

Jeff 

The July tournament for the 2025 season is the MONTH LONG YELLOWTAIL TOURNAMENT, July 1 through July 31.  This tournament is limited to MBMC members only.  Member entry fees have been eliminated for this year. Yes!, the tournament is open to all MBMC Members by just submitting an Entry Form. This is a Largest Fish Prize Tourney; Cash/Gift Card worth $500 for 1^st Place, $250 for 2^nd place, and $100 for 3^rd place. Click here for Entry Form and Rules

Reminder: MBMC will not be accepting membership after July 1, 2025.   You have until July 1, 2025, to renew your membership and be able to fish the tournament.