Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

The Port of San Diego's 35th Annual Day at The Docks – a free West Coast public celebration and official start of Southern California's spring saltwater fishing season – is set for April 13, announced Catherine Miller, event director.

The 2014 Day at The Docks features the world's largest state-of-the-art sportfishing fleet that offers first-class accommodations while traveling to some of the world’s most prolific fish-filled waters. Open house aboard fleet vessels welcomes one and all.

The event is “family friendly” and will feature numerous exhibits geared toward kids. Youngsters will be introduced to the fun and rewards of fishing at each of the three landings with pens of willing Pacific mackerel eager for bits of squid used as bait. Young anglers have the benefit of assistance by members of the fishing clubs San Diego Rod & Reel Club and San Diego Anglers.

Live Local Entertainment

“From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free celebration continues with live local entertainment and raffles of fishing equipment valued at thousands of dollars donated by sponsors and exhibitors. Throughout the day, Avet Reels and Seeker rods will sponsor contests where you’ll be able to match your casting abilities against winners or your knot-tying skills at the Izorline booth against the best, taking home some fantastic prizes," said Miller.

Visitors arrive early and stay late, she said. Parking is at a premium around the Landings but free parking and free round-trip shuttle service to and from the festival is offered from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For visitors coming out for the weekend, special Day At The Docks rates have been arranged at several area hotels. Check the website at http://www.sportfishing.org for more information.

Displays, Seminars

The sportfishing industry’s leading manufacturers will display the latest in fishing tackle and some of the West Coast’s recognized experts will conduct seminars periodically at the various stages, revealing their secrets on improved fishing techniques and results. Inexpensive introductory bay tours will be available for the entire family along with displays by marine artists and fishing tackle experts, food, entertainment, kid's fishing, contests, prizes with in excess of 200 exhibitors!

Bringing back a popular attraction introduced last year, several times during the day very large fish will be presented by skilled crews who will demonstrate the different ways there are to clean and prep a huge fish. Filleting demonstrations of local game fish will take place through out the day on boats in the fleet.

Captains and crews, aboard their boats, will share their wealth of knowledge acquired over a lifetime; other experts will conduct “how-to-do-it” seminars covering different aspects of sportfishing as well as local chefs will offer tips on how to prepare and cook your catch.

And Much More!

The festival also includes:

• Captains and crew plus an all-star lineup of experts

presenting “how-to” on-board seminars

• More than 200 exhibits

• Raffles of thousands of dollars of fishing equipment

• Live entertainment

• Marine art

• A casting competition

• A captains' Dunk Tank

• Kids’ free fishing

• Kids hands-on art projects

• Boat rides around the Bay, $3 per person

Day At The Docks is produced by the San Diego Sportfishing Council and sponsored by the San Diego Unified Port District and County of San Diego.

For a complete schedule of Port of San Diego's Day at The Docks activities, visit http://www.sportfishing.org/DAD00/dad2014.html