2009 Champs!!!: Captain Jimmy Decker and Tracy Viloria of team Disco Punk took last year's California Offshore Challenge honors with a two day total that went 45.92lbs. Tracy also landed the big fish for day two that went 7.43lbs!!!

....We arrived at Catalina midmorning and fished our way up from Long Point all the way up to Two Harbors.  Shortly after our arrival at Two Harbors, the 29 foot Everglades pulled up with the Inside Sportfishing crew.  Over the next few hours, more and more teams started pulling in to the harbor.  The staff at two Harbors was extremely nice and checking everyone in went as smooth as possible.  Even though we all had a big tournament starting at 4 am the next day, everyone met up at the bar for dinner, drinks, and an all around great time.  It was fun to be hanging out with 40 friends and talking fishing over on the island.  It felt more like a group vacation rather than a serious tournament.  

....The weather kicked up on Saturday, which made the channel crossing to San Clemente Island a bit rough, but it didn't impede the tournament or make it any less enjoyable for those who were competing.  Saturday night at the bar was even better than Friday, as all of the teams were present.  Being that the tournament included a dinner and awards event Saturday night, all of the teams gathered to hear tournament director James Shamblin review the events of the day and hand out prizes. Shea Macintee and JT (Inside Sportfishing) were there to capture all of the festivities, and everyone seemed excited to be a part of the event.

SWBA on Fox Sports West:
Click on the tab above to view all three of the 2009 California Offshore Challenge episodes.

....Sunday presented us with perfect shorts and t-shirt weather.  Teams made their way to the various islands, and as everyone made their way back to Two Harbors and the weigh-in finished up, it was time to reflect.  Chris and I pulled just outside the harbor, sat back, and drifted for a while so we could prepare to make the crossing back to the mainland.  As we did so, I was looking at Palos Verdes, just as I had done so a few years earlier.  PV looked close enough to touch.  The seas were dead calm, and it was 75 degrees.  I wished the tournament could go on for another few days.  What better way to spend the winter than with my friends on a beautiful island. 

....With the 2010 C.O.C. just around the corner, I am excited to once again go over and spend a weekend in paradise with my friends.  If the weather holds true to its normal patterns, it will once again be an epic weekend of tall tales, good times, and fine memories.

See you there!
Craig Bark