SAN PEDRO — The second iteration of the Western Outdoor News San Pedro Showdown departed from Ports O’Call Village, San Pedro, at the scheduled 5:00 a.m. departure time, giving anglers over 4 hours to rig up for the action ahead. Fishing deep waters along Farnsworth Bank, offshore from Catalina Island’s backside, anglers aboard both Sport King and Gail Force dropped down squid strips and fly-lined sardines in hopes of finding yellowtail willing to bite.
2025 WON San Pedro Showdown, earning Nick
Arandia $160 in cash plus assorted prizes.
“Reports have been strong about signs of yellowtail here at the bank,” explained the skipper of Gail Force, the first to arrive in the zone.
As they checked in aboard the two boats in the competition, anglers received swag bags filled with a 300-yard spool of Izorline 30-pound mono, Gamakatsu live bait hooks, Costa glasses swag, AFTCO stickers, a P-Line Laser-Minnow jig, and an exclusive vacation certificate.
All 50 anglers were in contention for prizes, including a brand-new Penn Carnage boat rod, Costa sunglasses, and cash prizes for the top three heaviest fish.
Aboard Gail Force, the father-son team of Paul Kachirski Sr. and Paul Kachirski Jr. came ready for the competition as well. Paul Jr. was the top prize winner in the inaugural 2024 Showdown, managing to log a contending fish when the day’s fishing ended.
“Our bait situation was tough on Sport King,” reported WON rep Landon Thomas. “We ended the day rockfishing and made our largest catch there,” concluded Tournament Director Thomas.
Gail Force finished off the day with a couple of hours fishing inshore kelps for yellowtail and loads of calico bass.
With a 4-hour ride back to the landing, the call came for lines up and time to head back to the docks in San Pedro.
Back at the docks, the excited anglers gathered as raffle tickets were handed out to all contenders while fish were weighed in. Anglers brought their largest three fish from each boat. The scales would tell the tale of which boat would win top honors for the 2025 San Pedro Showdown.
Plucking away at bass, bonito, and barracuda while targeting trophy pelagic species kept everyone busy throughout the day. In the end, the beautiful weather, camaraderie, and excellent crews aboard the two boats made the San Pedro Showdown 2025 a great addition to an already legendary event.
RESULTS:
First Place – Sport King – Mario Cavazos Jr. – 8.81-pound red
$220.00 cash along with a slew of great prizes
Second Place – Sport King – Nick Arandia – 5.64-pound ling
$160.00 cash and assorted prizes
Third Place – Sport King – Mario Cavazos Sr. – 4.25-pound barracuda
$80.00 cash and assorted prizes
Special Award: A new Penn Carnage rail rod to raffle winner Robert Jacobo.
Contact:
Gail Force and Sport King
LAHarbor.net, 550 S Harbor Blvd, San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 844-3814
San Pedro Showdown 2025. Okuma reps brought sample rod and reel
combos for participants to try out during the competition.
