Make-A-Wish® Tuna Challenge

Welcome to the Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge. We hold an annual tuna tournament and fundraiser in San Diego with all of our proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego, Inc.

Since 1991, we have grown to become the largest tuna tournament in the continental United States. 

Below are PDF's of the final scores for 2009 and the corresponding prizes for the awards.  Also a link to the corresponding fish caught facts.
 
In addition:  520 total anglers, 36 ladies, 18 juniors fished 111 boats.
 
The big number is a the conservative estimate is in excess of $259,000 raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation San Diego Chapter.  We were hoping to break $250K this year with the down economy so the whole committee is very happy.  That amount allowed us to go over the $2 Million dollar mark raised since the inception of the Make A Wish Tuna Challenge.
LUCKY DEFIANCE RAFFLE BOAT WINNER

Todd Shifflett, a local Oceanside resident, had the lucky winning ticket that was drawn at our September 13. Gala Awards Banquet at Silver Gate Yacht Club.

”This was the first time in all of the years of having our incredible Boat Raffle that a winner was actually in attendance at our Tuna Challenge Banquet”, stated Tom Drake, Chairman of the event.  It was very exciting to finally have the winner Present at our Gala. 

Todd won a  beautiful  22 ft. center console, Defiance Boat, worth $50,000, MSRP.

Michael Maher took home the second place grand raffle prize when his winning ticket was drawn for the 52” Sony TV with Blu-ray DVD player.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all of the generous people who took part by purchasing tickets throughout the year.

Your generosity enabled us to fund many children’s wishes.

FABULOUS NEW TOP ANGLER AWARD

Dove ISland

Thanks to the generosity of Duane & Tracie Lambeth, owners of Dove Island Lodge, Sitka, Alaska, and Rick Fowler of Rick Fowler Construction Co. in Julian, CA., we are thrilled to announce an amazing new Richard Thomas Memorial Top Angler Award. This new award consists of a 5 day, 4 night, trip for 2 to Dove Island Lodge with 2 days of fly out Freshwater fishing and 1 day of Saltwater fishing. Once the winners arrive, all transportation to and from the Sitka airport and daily transportation from the Island to the town is included. Also included are boats, captains, and deckhands, unlimited fish processing, top of the line rods, reels, bait and tackle, full rain gear and boots, and valet or self serve laundry. In addition, full breakfasts, lunch buffet bar, and five course Gourmet Dinners are included in the prize. The winners will also have unlimited use of skiffs with 25hp engines and kayaks and will have free entry in the Dove Island Big Fish Derby. The value of this package for 2 very lucky anglers is $8110 and the award is valid until September 10th, 2010. (Award is non-transferable)

In addition, Friends of Tuna Challenge have chipped in a $1000 stipend for airfare to Sitka, Alaska so the whole award is worth over $9,000! All Small and Large Private Boaters entered in the Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge Tournament are eligible to win this incredible award. We look forward to seeing who will be the lucky winner of this great new award will be at our Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge Awards Banquet on Sunday, September 13th, at Silver Gate Yacht Club. Don’t wait another minute, download a Tournament application from our website (www.tunachallenge.org ) and enter to have the opportunity to win this fabulous prize.



The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. It is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 77 chapters in the United States and its territories and 27 international affiliates on five continents. All all of the proceeds from the Tuna Challenge go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. Read more about some of the wishes that have been granted by donations such as ours.

Important 2009 Dates



Sign up to Participate

This year we have created a Charter Boat Division which will replace the Sportboat Division. Individuals interested in participating in this division may organize their charters (including 6-Pacs) and compete for their own prizes.  Charter Boats Available

If you will be fishing on a Private Boat you may download and mail in our 2009 Private Boat Application (PDF). If you will be fishing on a Charter Boat you may download and mail in our  2009 Charter Boat Application (PDF).

Review the Rules

 You may download the 2009 Tournament Rules (PDF) at any time. Please make sure that you and your fellow anglers have read over them.

Looking for a Team Member

Are you an angler who doesn't have a boat but wants to fish the tournament? Are you a skipper who needs an extra angler onboard? Please attend the Pre-Tournament Seminar to find other interested members.

 

Still Have Questions

For Tuna Challenge Tournament Inquiries please contact Tom Drake.

Tuna Challenge Seminar

Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 7PM

This special seminar is open to the public and affords anglers the opportunity to hear from experts in sportfishing related activities. Tournament registration begins at 5PM followed by hamburgers, hotdog's, and an open bar (no host) at 5:30PM. This is a great seminar to attend if you are looking for extra crew members or a boat to participate in the tournament on.

Every person in attendance will receive a free ticket to participate in a special raffle at this seminar.

On Thursday evening, August 27, the Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge Tournament will host its 8th Annual TUNA SEMINAR, at Silver Gate Yacht Club on Shelter Island, San Diego. This annual event is a great opportunity for Tournament Anglers to learn about the latest techniques and equipment available for catching Tuna. It is Free and we invite all interested Anglers whether they are fishing in the Tuna Challenge Tournament or not, to come and participate. A free drawing for door prizes for all in attendance will be conducted.

The Tuna Seminar takes place from 7-9 P.M. and we are happy to welcome two very knowledgeable experts in Southern California Fishing, who will demonstrate the many different ways to fish for and catch Tuna from Small and Large Private Boats. Our Special experts are: John Donovan with RedRum Charters and recent winner of the 2008 WON Los Cabos Tuna Tournament, and Captain Robb, a local San Diego Charter Boat Captain. Both captains also represent and support Ballyhood lures. They are very happy to share their unique fishing tricks and techniques for catching trophy fish. Manufacture Representatives TBD.

 

Volunteers Needed

Every year Tuna Challenge is made possible with the support of generous volunteers, from the awards banquet and fileting fish to collecting donations and much, much more. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer then please contact Laura Wellnitz.