| The Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA California) has announced the grand prize winners in its inaugural 14-week-long STAR Tournament, in which hundreds of anglers entered and registered nearly 1,200 qualified catches of saltwater fish for a chance to win one of 10 grand prizes at the conclusion of the tournament. STAR began on May 25 and concluded on September 2, 2024.
The lucky winner of the drawing for the top grand prize—a 2024 Parker 18SE center-console boat with custom non skid decking from Aqua Traction, a 150 hp outboard and a trailer thanks to Yamaha and West Marine Service in Costa Mesa—is Brian Drazba from Aliso Viejo, CA.
“I am completely shocked and so excited to be the winner of the brand new boat for the inaugural CCA California STAR Tournament,” said Drazba. “I am more than happy to support CCA in any way I can, and now am looking forward to spending more time on the water thanks to this great organization.”
Nine other fabulous prizes were also awarded to anglers who submitted qualified STAR catches, including:
Week-long trip to Costa Rica with Fishing Nosara – Jesse Link – Lomita, CA
Tern Link D8 Bike from Tern Bikes – Chet Prak – Irvine, CA
Trip to Cedros Island with Cedros Kayak Fishing – Gerry Mahieu – Fountain Valley, CA
Premium Package from Costa Sunglasses – Scott Sawa – Torrance, CA
5 Day, 4 Night Trip to Alaska or Baja with Pacific Sportfishing Alliance – Tom Troop – Temecula, CA
Guided Fly Fishing Trip in Sitka with Sitka Fish – John Hochadel – Whittier, CA
NK180 Electric Motor from Newport Vessels – Davey Brown – Yorba Linda, CA
Trip to La Paz with Tailhunter International – Nick Salcedo – San Luis Obispo, CA
3-Day Trip with the Intrepid Sportfishing – Frank Santiago – Santee, CA
“Congratulations to the winners in this, the first-ever CCA California STAR Tournament,” said Chris Wheaton, chair of the CCA California STAR Tournament Committee. “It was open to party boat, private boat and shore anglers alike, designed to encourage strong participation and at the same time support CCA’s fight for our right to fish and conserve California marine resources.
“I also want to personally thank each of our generous STAR prize sponsors who provided prizes valued at $75,000, as well as the landings, tackle retailers, sportfishing boats and others who went above and beyond to support and promote STAR and CCA California,” Wheaton added. “Going forward, our goal is to continue to grow the STAR Tournament each year and make it the biggest saltwater fishing event in the state of California, and we can’t do it without great sponsors and supporters of CCA California.”
In addition to the grand prizes, STAR featured 14 weekly drawings for prizes from sponsors that included:
- Avet SX6/4 G2 Neptune Reel ($310 value)
- Mojo Sportswear Prize Package or $300 Gift Card
- Costa del Mar Sunglasses ($250 value)
- 80-quart Engel Cooler ($340 value)
- Fishing Syndicate Offshore Rod ($300 value)
- AFTCO Prize Package ($250 value)
- $250 Gift Card to Cope’s Tackle & Rod Shop
- Pair of ¾ Passes from Dana Wharf Sportfishing and annual subscription to Terrafin ($285 value)
- Daiwa Prize Package ($250 value)
- IGFA Prize Package ($200 value)
- Penn Reel ($250 value)
- Overnight Trip with Eldorado Sportfishing ($265 value)
- Accurate Reel ($265 value)
- $200 Gift Pack from Fishworks Apparel
For STAR’s 2024 debut, eligible fish included saltwater bass (minimum 18 inches), California halibut (minimum 28 inches), California yellowtail, white seabass, and tuna (minimum 36 inches for the last three). Using the Fishing Chaos app, anglers submitted nearly 1,200 entries. They could turn in up to two entries per category per day throughout the STAR Tournament, and each registered catch earned a chance to win in the weekly drawings with prizes valued at $3,700, as well as one of the 10 great grand prizes at the conclusion of the 14-week tournament. There was also a separate category and prize package drawn from every participant that submitted a white seabass head during the event as an incentive to get CCA the much-needed DNA sampling, and the winner in this category was Bob Elliot from Huntington Beach, CA. Plus, there was a special youth category that awarded $5,400 prizes to kids.
Registration was $40 for current CCA CAL adult members. Non-members participated by joining CCA CAL, and then registering. Young anglers could enter the STAR Tournament for free with only a $10 CCA youth membership. All entries included a durable rollup vinyl measuring tape, as each entry was based on length, not weight, to expedite live releases, if desired.
Youth prizes in the 2024 STAR Tournament were awarded to:
Hobie Mirage Compass Kayak – Cash Troop – Temecula, CA
Fishing Syndicate Inshore FSC 800L rod with a Penn Fathom 300 Low-Profile Reel – Bobby Meza – San Diego, CA
$1,000 Gift Card to AFTCO – Shnuer Sulami – Beverly Hills, CA
$500 Gift card to Island Fishing Tackle in Carson – Shaun Lovett – San Diego, CA
Okuma PCH Inshore Rod with a Komodo 273 Low-Profile Reel – Finneas Day – Los Angeles, CA
To learn more, visit CCACalifornia.org.
ABOUT CCA CAL: The non-profit Coastal Conservation Association of California was created in 2015 when recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts came together to work for the conservation and enhancement of our marine resources and coastal environments. Today, we are working to protect not only the health, habitat, and sustainability of our marine resources, as well as the interests of saltwater anglers. Our goal is to protect your access to the marine resources you cherish and enjoy every day. CCA CAL consists of members spread across local chapters in California and growing every day.
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