Registration available at several SoCal tackle shops Aug. 7, or sign-up online HERE
SAN DIEGO – It’s nearly time for the Aug. 8, 2020 debut of the WON California Tuna Jackpot headquartered at the San Diego Marlin Club. And while fishing for the big boys, cow size or bigger bluefin seems to have slowed a bit while school-sized fish have taken at times off in waters less than 30 miles from San Diego Bay, it seems a sure bet some amazing catches will come to the scales on tournament day.
This tournament is designed to be accessible, with team registration just $400 for 2-4 anglers (up to 2 more anglers can be added at $100 each), and the ability to launch from any port (the weigh in, however, is at the San Diego Marlin Club).
The top three heaviest tuna will take the honors and the cash. Based on 50 boats, first place will earn $7,000, second $2,000 and third $1,000.
Even the optional jackpots are in range, with $250 covering the first tuna optional and another $250 taking care of the yellowtail option.
If you want a taste of the big money, WON has you covered with $500 and $1,000 tuna options. Four anglers can go all-in for $2,400.
The long-running Make-A-Wish® San Diego Tuna Challenge is on hiatus for 2020, and while WON cannot hope to nor desires to replace such a legendary event, our staff is happy to announce that 5% of all the California Tuna Jackpot optionals will be designated for Make-A-Wish San Diego to help this worthy organization fund wishes for critically ill children.
To the winners go the spoils! The Accurate Big Fish Bonus will award up to $1,000 in top of the line Accurate gear to up to 3 of the top 5 finishing teams that have an Accurate reel on their boats. Put another way, if 3 of the top 5 finishing teams have Accurate reels on their boats, they’ll each win a $1,000 Accurate Fishing shopping spree.
If 2 teams qualify in the top 5, they’ll each receive a $1,500 Accurate Fishing shopping spree, and if just 1 of the top 5 finishing teams qualifies, that team will win a $3,000 Accurate Fishing shopping spree!
It’s that simple, but Accurate’s not done. The company is kicking in 5 fabulous raffle prizes, incredibly light and strong Accurate Valiant 600 reels matched with Valiant BV-70H rods. Anyone who is in the tournament can win!
Anglers don’t need to bag a big tuna to win. A long list of sponsors is kicking in merchandise, and every one is a raffle prize and there’s no extra charge to enter. If you’re in the tournament, you’re in the raffle. Merchandise prizes total more than $11,000 as of press time and the prize pool is growing. Yamaha, Berkley, Seaguar, Gamakatsu, Accurate, Engel, Global Fish Mounts, Furuno, SKB, Techron Marine, Kuta, Frogg Toggs, G-FLY Baits, Sav-On Tackle and Maui Jim are all on board.
Lines-in is at 4:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, lines-out is at 4:00 p.m., and teams are due at the scale between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The awards ceremony and a general raffle will follow.
Teams can pay their $400 basic entries online at WONews.com, or pay in person at several Southern California tackle shops the day prior, Aug. 7. Teams that did not sign up prior to August 7 can register their teams at Hogan’s Tackle in Dana Point, Sav-On Tackle in Sante Fe Springs, Ken’s Custom Reel in Oceanside, or Anglers Choice in San Diego. If you pre-register, WON will mail your wristbands so there’s no need to check in the day prior.
For more information contact Tournament Director Billy Egan at (949) 366-0248 or bille@wonews.com or check out the California Tuna Jackpot Facebook page.
