Welcome to United Anglers of Southern California.
About UsUnited Anglers of Southern California is a volunteer driven, non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of fishery resources through management, conservation and education in order to maximize angling opportunities and pass the sport of fishing onto future generations.
More Information
UASC, Eldorado & 976-TUNA TEAM UP FOR FAMILY FISHING FUN
FAMILIES ENJOY SUNNY DAY, FLAT CALM SEAS AND FISHING FUN ABOARD LONG BEACH SPORT FISHING'S ELDORADO
December 30th "Kids Fish Free" Trip Sponsored by UASC and
976-TUNA Youth Fishing Program
"When you get a beautiful Southern California day like this, you just have to take advantage of it," is how one United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) volunteer described the scene as we chugged out of Long Beach Sport Fishing aboard the 85-foot sportfisher Eldorado. And that's precisely what about 40 youngsters, adults and volunteers did on Tuesday, December 30 - taking advantage of a sunny winter day, flat calm seas and the opportunity to spend one of the last days of 2008 on the water fishing with family and friends.
This special 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. trip was sponsored by UASC and the 976-TUNA Youth Fishing Program together with the Eldorado, to help give the gift of fishing to youngsters and wrap up the holidays in style. Any adult (16 or older) who purchased a regular fare ticket was able bring along two junior anglers along at no charge. In addition to free fishing for youngsters, participants were provided with complimentary loaner rods and reels, tackle and plenty of hands-on help and instruction from UASC and 976-TUNA volunteers. As an added treat, Marty Golden from NOAA Pacific Fisheries Service was also on hand to help the kids, and provide free "goodie bags" with fish identification cards, fish measurers and other educational materials.
Youngsters and adults alike - including several father/son and father/daughter combinations - enjoyed spending quality time on the water together in T-shirt weather that could have been a warm spring day. One father and son took this opportunity to sample Southern California's ocean fishing (and famous weather) while visiting all the way from Colorado. Captain Eddie Moreno took us to several hard-bottom areas from Izor's Reef down to Huntington Beach, but biters remained elusive. Still, fish were coming over the rail and there were plenty of smiles all around. Some nice sculpin and sheephead grabbed onto the anglers' squid strips fished on dropper loops, eliciting "ooohs and aaahs" as they came on deck.
It's funny how mackerel and blacksmith perch - fish often considered a "nuisance" by experienced anglers - take on a whole new light in the eyes of youngsters. One young boy, who kept having his bait stolen time after time (yet never lost his enthusiasm) beamed with pride when he finally lifted a feisty mackerel over the rail. "I got you!" he exclaimed, sure that it was this same fish he had been frustrating him all day.
When they weren't at the rail, the youngsters kept busy eating in the galley or playing "hide-and-seek" in the Eldorado's spacious bunkrooms.
Volunteers from UASC and the 976-TUNA youth fishing program kept plenty busy, also, helping new anglers tie on hooks, untangle lines and unhook fish. As is usual on these family trips, UASC was taking digital photos and printing them out in the galley for the families to take home as souvenirs of their day on the water, free of charge.
The biggest excitement of the day came when two large bat rays were hooked and fought by father/son and father/daughter teams. The first broke off after about 10 minutes; the second, a whopper of about 50 pounds, was landed and released as a dozen or so youngsters followed the action around the deck, cheering on the father/son team as they shared pulling on the determined "mud marlin." Shortly after this big ray was released to swim away, it was time to head for the barn.
"Look for this same trip next year," said Long Beach Sport Fishing owner Steven Fukuto over the boat's P.A. as we motored back into the harbor. From the looks of the families on deck, it probably won't be that long before they're out on the water again. "This trip has become a holiday tradition and an important part of our ongoing effort to help introduce families to the sport of ocean fishing. It's always a lot of fun for everybody involved," added Fukuto.
For more information about family fishing activities throughout the year, contact UASC headquarters at (949) 863-9447 or visit www.unitedanglers.com
United Anglers MLPA
Please review the video as soon as possible and share it with an angling friend. This video was made possible by the generosity of Kenneth A. Lester Family Foundation, a special message from Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw, and most importantly, the inspiration and hard work of Tom Raftican. Although Tom is no longer UASC President, the message in this video is even more critical now than the day it was recorded - every recreational fisherman needs to get engaged and stay involved in the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation process. We have the chance to shape the future of ocean fishing in Southern California, but we must act now.
We can never thank Tom enough for his 12 years of service to UASC, his respect for our marine resources and his passion for family creational fishing. Under his direction, UASC has succeeded in removing gillnets from out coastal waters, building and enhancing artificial reefs, halting destructive bottom trawling in state waters, releasing more than 1.5 million white seabass off out coast, and much more. We're committed to carrying Tom's work on behalf of all fishermen.
United Anglers of Southern California
DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR UASC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
Non-Profit Organization's Board of Directors is Reviewing Several Qualified Applicants,
Will Continue Accepting Applications Through December 10, 2008
November 18, 2008 -United Anglers of Southern California (UASC), an award-winning non-profit sportsmen's organization based in Irvine, California, is continuing its search for a new president and plans to accept new applications through December 10, 2008. The 40,000-member organization is seeking a new president following the recent resignation of Tom Raftican, who headed the group for nearly 12 years and was the driving force behind numerous UASC achievements including removing gillnets from coastal waters, stopping destructive bottom trawling and releasing 1.7 million juvenile white seabass off Southern California.
"We've received applications from several very qualified candidates," said Dave Elm, UASC board chairman and interim president, "and we're moving ahead aggressively to fill this important post. We want to make certain, however, that everybody who might be interested in this important, challenging position has the opportunity to apply. So we've extended the deadline through December 5, 2008, at which time we'll begin the interview process," Elm added.
According to Elm, the position of UASC president is one of extreme responsibility and importance. The winning candidate will be in a position to directly effect the implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act in Southern California and, in turn, how that implementation will effect those who fish in our ocean waters. While certainly on the top of everyone's minds, the MLPA is but one issue that UASC will be dealing with as it pursues its goal of enhancing marine resources while maintaining recreational fishing access for future generations.
"UASC is a great organization that has achieved many great things over the years. Even so, our board of directors feels strongly that our biggest and most important achievements still lie ahead. This is a time of great challenge and great opportunity. We're committed to finding the best person to carry our vision forward and represent the interests of our many members and our supporters," said Elm.
Qualified interested parties should contact UASC headquarters at (949) 863-9447 or email Dave Elm at Dave@aftco.com.
Dear United Anglers of Southern California Members:
As you may now be aware, Tom Raftican recently left his position as president of United Anglers of Southern California. During his 12-year tenure as head of our organization, Tom worked tirelessly on many important issues and programs to benefit marine resources and recreational fishermen alike. Too numerous to list, they include working to remove destructive gill nets from our coastal waters, fighting to stop bottom trawling off our coast, building and enhancing artificial reefs and putting more than 1.5 million juvenile white seabass back into the ocean.
These achievements - and many more - represent Tom's legacy. They should inspire pride in every Southern California fisherman and UASC member. While this turn of events is in no doubt disheartening, I am buoyed by what we have accomplished together and encouraged by the potential for even better things in the future.
Towards that end, I want to assure every UASC member that we are moving forward with a positive attitude and a solid sense of direction. The issues facing Southern California ocean resources and recreational fishing access - of which Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation is just one - will continue to be addressed vigorously and effectively by our organization.
Your UASC leaders have stepped up to tackle these issues head-on. Our board of directors is dedicated to strengthening our organization and reaching out to partners who share our common goal of conservation in balance with recreational fishing access. As interim UASC President,
I pledge to continue the work at hand and set an aggressive agenda for the coming months. This includes an immediate and active search for a new president to lead our organization.
We will do our best to keep you informed of our progress. Expect to see additional communication through our newsletter and via email, as well as on our website.
I would like to personally thank our members for their continued support and understanding during this challenging time. I'm confident that by working together, we can look forward to great things - and great fishing - in the future.
Sincerely,
Dave Elm
Chairman, Board of Directors
Acting President, UASC
