42nd Year for Port of San Diego Day at the Docks

SAN DIEGO— Mark your calendar. The 42nd edition of the Port of San Diego Day at the Docks will take place on April 7 on the waterfront against the backdrop of the dynamic San Diego sportfishing fleet in Point Loma. The annual event is a celebration of the sportfishing season and maritime culture in San Diego. 

 

Day at the Docks is the largest single-day event of its kind on the West Coast. It is free to the public and loved by anglers, their families, sportfishing crews and community exhibitors. All ages are welcome. 

 

San Diego Fleet is the largest sportfishing fleet found anywhere in the world and has some of the most sophisticated boats in operation, capable of delivering short-range and long-range fishing adventures in the waters off Southern California and Baja California, Mexico. 

 

“Day at the Docks signals the start of the San Diego Sportfishing season,” said Sportfishing Council President Frank Ursitti. “Each year, we look forward to the event and welcoming thousands to what has become a time-honored tradition in sportfishing. Our fleet is world-renowned for its advanced technology, best-in-class captains and crews. San Diego is the epicenter of sportfishing. Day at the Docks showcases our fleet’s talent and versatility. We look forward to hosting the event.”

 

This festival was created to appeal to the novice angler, the experienced fisherman and all those who have not yet discovered the lure of deep-sea fishing. The day offers the opportunity to discover new adventures, explore the latest in fishing tackle and techniques, tour vessels in the fleet, take a ride on San Diego Bay, tune into fishing seminars, cooking demos or live entertainment and take part in fun, hands-on activities planned for the day. 

 

This important annual event brings the fishing and not-yet-fishing community together to mingle with captains and crews while scoping out new offerings by tackle manufacturers, marine businesses and artists. Visitors can explore the many restaurants and facilities in America’s Cup Harbor in San Diego Bay too. 

 

Activities at this year’s event include:

• Fleet Open House, aboard sportfishing boats;

• Free stocked fishing areas for kids, provided by Everingham Brothers Bait Co.;

• Fishing and boating “how-to” seminars, presented by an All-Star lineup of captains and fishing pros;

• Exhibits by more than 200 fishing tackle companies, boat Manufacturers and community groups;

• Marine art, apparel and accessories;

• Cooking demos by local chefs;

• Fillet demonstrations of fish, large and small;

• Live music and entertainment;

• Contests and prizes for casting and knot-tying;

• Drawings for thousands of dollars in prizes, and

• Boat rides around San Diego Bay.

 

Parking is at a premium around the landings, but free public parking is available on Shelter Island with free round-trip shuttle service to and from the festival offered from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

 

Day at the Docks is produced by the San Diego Sportfishing Council and partially sponsored by the Port of San Diego. It is the joint effort of the sportfishing fleet captains and crews, area fishing clubs, the live bait supplier, retail stores, area restaurants and members of the Point Loma Commercial Fishing Alliance. 

 

For complete information on Port of San Diego’s Day at the Docks activities and schedules, visit http://www.sportfishing.org.