HUIE 2005 INVITATIONAL TUNA TOURNAMENT REPORT

Feb. 8, 2005, Al Goss, 2004 Huie Invitational Tuna Tournament Report, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

Two years ago Dick Huie, of Stockton, a passionate Baja angler, and his son Brad wanted to give something back to the community of Los Barriles for their hospitality and sharing of their fishing resources. For years Mr. Huie and friends have enjoyed fishing at the East Cape so they decided to hold a tuna tournament where half of the prize money would return to the community where the greatest need may be, local charities, schools, or churches.

Last year's fishing tournament, the first annual, there were four boats and twelve anglers. At five hundred dollars per boat entry, one thousand dollars (half of the tournament money), was raised for the community. Additionally Dick and Brad added another one thousand dollars as well as the tournament winners, a 54 pound yellow fin, donated their prize money. Five computers were purchased for the local school with the three thousand dollars but additional monies were needed for the installation and set up of the computers. Hotel Palmas de Cortez and Rancho Leonero came forward with the additional funds for the installation.

At this year's tournament, Oct. 4-6, 2004, there were ten boats and thirty anglers paid and registered ($ 500.00 team entry) for the tournament. Half the prize money went to the tournament winners and the other half was matched again by Dick Huie's company Manteca Homes and Brad Huie's company AmeriWest Financial for a total of five thousand dollars going to the local schools. Additionally all anglers that were bringing ice chests were being asked to fill them with children's clothing (new or quality used) for the less fortunate families in the Los Barriles area. All thirty anglers loved the idea and participated. This years tournament team winners, with a 78 pound yellowfin tuna, were Steve Eisert, Al Goss, and Dick Huie.

Also this year Chris Moyers of East Cape Smokehouse donated 10% of the total cost of processing fish for the tournament anglers. Hotel Palmas De Cortez hosted the captain's party for the tournament as well as the banquet. Special thanks by anglers to Bobby Van Wormer for inviting the Corona Girls to the awards banquet, Penn Reels, Ballyhood Lures, Bluefin Lures, Hi's Tackle, and Big Game Fishing, were all sponsors of tackle for the anglers. This year the 3rd Annual Huie Invitational Tuna Tournament will be held October 8th thru 12th.