Team California (USAngling Saltwater Kayak) Qualifier in San Diego

I know for a lot of you NorCal guys this is a bit of a drive, but if you’ve ever thought about fishing a national event, this is your shot.

The Team California Qualifier is happening May 2nd & 3rd on San Diego Bay, and the top 10 anglers earn a spot on Team California to compete at Nationals.

I fished it last year and had an absolute blast - qualified for Team Cali and ended up heading out to Pompano Beach, Florida for Nationals. It was a really cool experience fishing against anglers from all over the country. If you watch Robert Field's videos of him in competitions - this is the path to get in those international tournaments.

The cool part this year is Nationals are in San Diego in August, so if you qualify you’ll be competing right here in CA.

The format is also a little different from most tournaments - it’s a species-based points system, so strategy matters and it’s not just about hunting one big fish.

If you’re up for a road trip and want a shot at representing Team California, come check it out.

Would be awesome to see some NorCal sticks down here.

Check out the details here: https://fishinginitiative.org/tournaments/nxszhZXBqtD3orOrNujn

Well it's official.... Heading down to San Diego this weekend with Adam to compete. Lets go Team California! Completely new fishery for me, going be a lot of 1st catches... Long drive but should be a fun event. Anyone else from making the long haul?

Good luck 

Good luck guys.  Wonder if Allen/Polepole going this year.

Well the qualifier is over and....... ADAM DUNAWAY placed 7th and made Team USA California!  I on the other hand learned a lot about the fishery in San Diego Bay. 16 plus species to target. This was Adam and my 1st time fishing this area! For the tournament, size didn't matter all about getting 3 of each species and safely releasing. I made the mistake of bringing my ocean rods.... When i needed to bring trout rods! Just a few fish away from placing myself. Looking forward to the next qualifier.

Almost each fish was a 1st or PB for me which was sweet!

PB Spotted Sand Bass 16"
PB Barred Sand Bass 22"
PB Kelp Bass 6"
PB Scorpion Fish (Cabazon's cousin)16"

Great group of Kayak anglers, next year we need more NorCal representation. We need to show SCKA that NCKA has the better kayak anglers!

If there was a NorCal Qualifier, how many of you would sign up? I know making the 9 hr. drive to SoCal is rough! But we need to rep the NorCal.

Next year we could caravan up their and show em what's up!

Congratulations Adam well deserved Bro! Looking forward to my Team California Dunaway Jersey!

Tight Lines y'all!

I also gotta give a huge shootout to Nick (StixTV) He created an App for this tournament and future tournaments. Great app to log all your fish in real time! Leader board, rules, it had everything and was bug free! Great job bro looking forward to seeing this app in future tournaments! See you next week at Gimme Shelter!

Well the qualifier is over and....... ADAM DUNAWAY placed 7th and made Team USA California!  I on the other hand learned a lot about the fishery in San Diego Bay. 16 plus species to target. This was Adam and my 1st time fishing this area! For the tournament, size didn't matter all about getting 3 of each species and safely releasing. I made the mistake of bringing my ocean rods.... When i needed to bring trout rods! Just a few fish away from placing myself. Looking forward to the next qualifier.

Almost each fish was a 1st or PB for me which was sweet!

PB Spotted Sand Bass 16"
PB Barred Sand Bass 22"
PB Kelp Bass 6"
PB Scorpion Fish (Cabazon's cousin)16"

Great group of Kayak anglers, next year we need more NorCal representation. We need to show SCKA that NCKA has the better kayak anglers!

If there was a NorCal Qualifier, how many of you would sign up? I know making the 9 hr. drive to SoCal is rough! But we need to rep the NorCal.

Next year we could caravan up their and show em what's up!

Congratulations Adam well deserved Bro! Looking forward to my Team California Dunaway Jersey!

Tight Lines y'all!

I also gotta give a huge shootout to Nick (StixTV) He created an App for this tournament and future tournaments. Great app to log all your fish in real time! Leader board, rules, it had everything and was bug free! Great job bro looking forward to seeing this app in future tournaments! See you next week at Gimme Shelter!

That's awesome, Trevor.  Way to go, Adam!  I'm looking forward to meeting Nick, too.   

How did all the ncka folks qualify for Team USA in the past?

How did all the ncka folks qualify for Team USA in the past?

That's a great question... Not sure who tried last year.

For me, San Diego Bay is not true salt water ocean fishing, more like Fresh water bass/ crappie fishing. All my salt rods were to big to cast out 1/16 to 1/4 oz lures. But this fishing was similar to how the main stage (US Salt team) fishing in other area's. I wouldn't take the majority of the kayak setups on the NorCal coast, large motors, forward facing sonar, etc.. Next year, I'll be prepared with micro rod/reel combos and micro baits.