Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic a HUGE Success with Mikelson 43 "La Dulce Vida" Taking Top Honors

The 16th Annual Mikelson Catalina Classic Marlin Tournament was a huge success with perfect weather and outstanding fishing. Both Day 1 and Day 2 of tournament fishing saw huge numbers of striped marlin in a very concentrated area on the west side of Catalina Island. With 48 boats in the tournament Day 1 saw over 30 marlin caught and released and several boated which were above the qualifying length and weight. Day 2 posted even bigger numbers with over 40 marlin caught and released and even more qualifying fish brought to the scales. Some were calling it the best marlin fishing they have ever seen at Catalina.

"La Dulce Vida", a Mikelson 43 captained by Mark Wheeler, caught the winner on Day 2 of the event. The striped marlin taped out at 97 inches long and weighed in at 206 pounds. Overall though with a field of 48 boats the tournament could not have been a bigger success and the action on the water could not have been better. The Mikelson Yachts sportfishers involved were "La Dulce Vida" Mikelson 43, "Fish Tank" Mikelson 43, "La Patrona" Mikelson 50, "Exta Sea" Mikelson 50, "Really Hooked III" Mikelson 57, "Goin Deep" Mikelson 61, "Andale Andale" Mikelson 70, and "After Midnight" Mikelson 75. A great big "Thank You" goes out to all the tournament sponsors and to Rod Halperin and his crew at Catalina Tournaments for putting on such a successful event. The California Billfish Series will return to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island next year for even more incredible fishing. For more info and photos on the Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic please visit www.catalinatournaments.com or www.catalinaclassic.com.

Final Results
First Place - La Dulce Vida - $40, 800
Second Place - Mizpah - $16,300
Third Place - Gambler - $127,113 (Day 1 Daily and Day 2 Daily $1000 and $2000)
Fourth Place - California Style (Day 2 $250 Daily)
Fifth Place - Sharks Parlour (Day 2 $500 Daily only)
Release Jackpots
Day 1 - Scrambler - $11,900 (5 Releases)
Day 2 - Bad Company - $11,900 (6 Releases)

Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic Sept 21-23, 2008

The Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic will run from September 21-23 at Catalina Island. We are looking forward to a spectacular event with great fishing and weather. Stay tuned to www.catalinatournaments.com as well as the Mikelson Blog for updates.

Catalina Classic September 21-23

We are just one week away from the Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic which runs September 21-23, 2008. The Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic is the richest billfish tournament on the west coast with a prize purse of over $400,000. The marlin fishing aroung Catalina Island continues to stay strong with numerous hook-ups reported everyday. The Zane Grey Invitational is currently underway at Catalina and the Avalon Billfish Classic Pro-Am wrapped up last week. For up to the minute standings, results, and photos go to www.catalinatournaments.com. Also, be sure to check back with the Mikelson Blog. We look forward to a great time fishing and a strong showing of Mikelson's in the tournament and hopefully that will be reflected in the final results. Tight Lines and Best Fishes...

Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic Rapidly Approaching

The Mikelson Yachts Catalina Classic is coming on September 21-23, 2008. This year Mikelson Yachts is the title sponsor of the event and we expect to have a strong showing of Mikelson's in the tournament. With the offshore action heating up and over $400,000 in cash and prizes, the event promises to be action packed. Please visit http://www.catalinaclassic.com/ for more info or click on the banner to the left.