Tournaments

USA Saltwater Angling CA Qualifier: The Tom Troop Tribute TournamentCompete against the best and earn your shot at representing California on the national stage. The Top 10 anglers will qualify for the USA Saltwater California Kayak Team, advancing to Nationals on August 15–16, 2026, in San Diego.Cash Prizes:🥇 1st Place – $1,500🥈 2nd Place – $750🥉 3rd Place – $500Friday Night – Captain’s Meeting (May 1st)Kick things off with an unforgettable evening overlooking San Diego. Enjoy incredible waterfront views and great food as we go over tournament details. Anglers will receive tournament materials including maps, species tracking lists, and a family packet packed with ideas to explore the city while competition is underway. Meeting starts at 5pm at the Outboard Boating Club on Shelter Island.Tournament Schedule5/1 Captains Meeting – Outboard Boating Club (Shelter Island)All tournament anglers must attend the Captain's MeetingMeeting starts at 5:00 PM2210 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 921065/2 Day 1 Launch – Pepper Park Launch Ramp (Back Bay)Check-in: 6:00 AMShotgun Start: 7:00 AMLines Out: 2:00 PM5/3 Day 2 Launch – Shelter Island Launch RampCheck-in: 5:00 AMShotgun Start: 6:00 AMLines Out: 2:00 PM5/3 Awards Ceremony & Raffle📍 Bali Hai – Sunday at 3:00 PM2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106Join us for the awards ceremony dinner featuring sponsor giveaways, raffles, and celebration as we recognize the top anglers.🎥 Live Coverage: The tournament will be broadcast live on YouTube via the STIX Outdoors channel.Format & RulesKayaks onlyCatch Video and Release (CVR)Multi species tournamentOne Motor allowed (Qualifier only)Full rules available belowWhy Fish This Tournament?San Diego offers a rare blend of world-class fishing and unmatched tournament infrastructure. With both the Front Bay and Back Bay, anglers will face diverse structure, dynamic tides, and a wide range of target species—all within a proven, productive fishery.Off the water, San Diego delivers a complete experience. A strong and passionate kayak fishing community, top-tier local shops, and established fishing organizations provide a level of support few locations can match.For traveling anglers and families, it’s more than a tournament—it’s a destination. With everything from beaches and waterfront dining to iconic attractions like SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, and Legoland, there’s something for everyone while you’re on the water.About F.I.S.H.The Fishing Initiative for Stewardship and Habitat (F.I.S.H.) is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing habitat conservation through recreational and tournament fishing. By combining competition with environmental awareness, F.I.S.H. empowers anglers to become stewards of the resource and leaders in conservation.Using the HOOKED Field App for scoringWhether you're a tournament regular or entering your first competition, the HOOKED Field App puts everything you need right in your hands on the water. In this walkthrough, Nick covers the core features and shows you exactly how easy it is to log catches, submit verification, and stay in the hunt — all from your kayak.

San Diego is home to some of the most productive saltwater kayak fishing in the country - spotted bay bass, halibut, and world-class inshore flats. This August, the nation's top kayak anglers converge to compete for one of the most coveted spots in the sport: a berth on the US National Kayak Fishing Team. All fishing conducted from kayaks (no-motors) Catch-and-release only - fish are documented via photo and video submission Competitors fish the open waters of San Diego Bay Scoring based on species Top 10 finishers across both days earn berths on the US National Saltwater Kayak Fishing Team