By Paul Lebowitz

September 6, 2008

LA JOLLA – It takes a whopper of jaw-dropping magnitude to win the jackpot at the annual Steve Moyer Memorial Tournament. Something so big the uninitiated would scarcely believe could be fought on a kayak, never mind landed on a two to three foot wide piece of plastic otherwise known as a fishing kayak.

In 2008, that fish was a fat, 42-lb halibut caught by Gabe Martin. It was something of a shocker. In recent weeks, yellowtail – big ones – dominated La Jolla reports.

But there’s more to this multi-division event organized by La Jolla Kayak Fishing. It’s a celebration of the kayak fishing lifestyle that attracts people from hundreds of miles around. Most of all, the longest running open ocean kayak fishing tournament is a shout out against the ravages of cancer. For six years now, the sponsors, organizers and attendees have come together to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society.

“I don’t know anyone whose family hasn’t been touched by cancer. Thanks very much for all you do,” Jim Sammons of La Jolla Kayak Fishing told the crowd assembled at the awards ceremony. Nearly 150 kayak anglers strong and accompanied by family and friends, they opened their hearts and wallets to the tune of more than $13,000, a new event fundraising record.

Jackpot and halibut division winner Martin was on his last drift of the day when the hungry flatfish struck a Spanish mackerel. The modest angler, a prior major big-fish contest winner, was philosophical in the wake of his victory.

“It means a lot to me. My dad passed away from cancer. I try to come every year to support the tournament,” Martin said. His efforts were rewarded with jackpot cash and a $500 gift certificate from Global Fish Mounts to immortalize the moment.

Greg Tsujiuchi’s last-minute 33-lb halibut took second in the jackpot. Time was so short when Tsujiuchi hit the beach, he had to hop a ride to the weigh-in with fellow Moyer angler Todd Groessl. “He should get an honorable mention,” Tsujiuchi said of Groessl’s generosity.

There was a big yellowtail, an impressive 30-lb forkie tallied by Dave Kalwick. That was good enough for third in the jackpot and tops in the yellowtail division.

Kalwick hooked his fish in tight, in a mere 10 feet of water. “I spotted a school, then saw a huge shadow zip across to my bait. It nearly pulled me into the surf,” Kalwick said. Thinking quickly, Kalwick used a leg as a rudder and managed to turn his kayak as well as the fish.

Ben Hendricks won the inaugural spearfish division with a 13-lb yellowtail, shot when the free diver wiggled his white-taped fingers at a passing school. “One came out and I let him have it. It was the one shot I saw all day,” Hendricks said. 

Robert Yakemonis won the catch, photo, and release Hobie Kayaks calico division sponsored by the Kayak Fishing Association of California. Yakemonis, a frequent contender in kayak saltwater bass action, caught his 23-in checker at 6:30, then proceeded rack up more big bass.

BIG TOURNAMENT, BIG WINNING FISH – Gabe Martin hoists the 42-halibut that won the jackpot at the 2008 Steve Moyer Memorial Kayak Fishing Tournament. The Moyer, a benefit tournament for the American Cancer Society, is the world’s most prestigious and longest running open ocean kayak fishing contest. 

SHALLOW-WATER YELLOW SETTLES FOR THIRD – In a bit of a surprise, halibut stole center stage at yellowtail-central La Jolla. Slug yellows were still caught, just as they have been for ten tournament years running. The largest of that bunch was this 30-lb forkie hooked by Dave Kalwick in only 10 ft of water. The fish nearly wrecked him in the surf. PHOTO COURTESY DAVE SCHROEDER

COMING TOGETHER TO BATTLE THE BIG C – In 2008, the people associated with the Moyer Memorial – the spirited attendees, tireless volunteers, and generous sponsors - raised over $13,000 for the American Cancer Society. Close to another thousand is destined to help the Kayak Fishing Association of California preserve access in the upcoming Marine Life Protection Act South Coast project.

In the miscellaneous division, Ed Walker scored a 5-lb bonito for the win. This year no white seabass made it to the scales.

A vast number of fishing and kayaking companies came together to support the tournament’s charitable aims. Chief of these were Berkley, Booyaa, Costa del Mar, Global Fish Mounts, Hotel Punta Colorada, Islander Charters, Maui Jim, OEX, Promar, Rancho Leonero Resort, Reebs Lures, Shimano, Western Outdoor News, and YakTackle.com. 

Hobie Fishing, Malibu Kayaks, Ocean Kayak, and Wilderness Systems all donated top of the line fishing kayak’s for the benefit raffle, raising thousands of additional dollars. Sammons saved special praise for the Everyingham Brothers Bait Company, provider of enough live bait to get every competitor started. “It really makes the tournament,” Sammons said. Also OEX, who’s Brent Torgeson stepped up to handle critical event logistics.