The tournament is open to all anglers and will take place September 29 – October 1, 2023, with weigh stations located in San Diego, Newport Beach, and on Catalina Island.
Previously a swordfish-only tournament, four new eligible species have been added for the 2023 IGFA SoCal Open to better represent the diverse offshore fishery of Southern California including bluefin tuna, striped marlin, dolphinfish (dorado), and yellowtail.
Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top three anglers and teams, and to the anglers who record the heaviest of the eligible species, excluding striped marlin which will be based on total release points. There is also a new Junior Angler category based on total points, eligible only for anglers ages 16 and under.
“We are thrilled to announce the new dates and a new, expanded format to the 2023 IGFA SoCal Open,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “We believe these changes not only reflect the diversity of Southern California’s offshore game fish, but the passionate anglers who have cherished this resource for decades as the birthplace of big game sportfishing.”
The fishing days of the tournament are Friday, September 29, 2023, and Saturday, September 30, 2023. The awards ceremony will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the stunning Dana Point Yacht Club.
Early bird registration pricing of $300 per angler is available to those who register before August 1, 2023. The entry fee after August 1, 2023, is $350 per angler. Teams are responsible for chartering or providing their own boats for the tournament. There is a maximum of four anglers per team, however there is an unlimited number of crew members.
All tournament proceeds will support initiatives related to the IGFA’s commitment to game fish research and conservation.
Additional details on the IGFA SoCal Open, including registration, rules, and more can be found on the IGFA website at www.igfa.org/igfa-socal. For more information, please contact IGFA Marketing Director Jack Vitek at jvitek@igfa.org.
