The California Billfish Series is the largest offshore tournament series in California. The series consists of three striped marlin tournaments that attract the West Coast’s most avid fishing teams. The Zane Grey Invitational kicks off the series, running from September 9-11, while the Avalon Billfish Classic and the Catalina Classic run simultaneously from September 23-25. The format of each event is unique and attracts a wide cross section of offshore anglers. The events take place on Catalina Island, the birthplace of big-game angling and the perfect backdrop for the series. With its historical venue, great fishing, top-notch parties and banquets, and the biggest prize purse in California, the California Billfish Series stands out as the West Coast’s premiere offshore event.
2012 Catalina Classic Photo Gallery
Check out all of the action from the 2012 Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic in this year’s Photo Gallery. Fishing was tough, but nearly all crews saw fish and everyone had a blast at the Opening Day Kickoff Party and Award’s Banquet. All teams went home with killer swag bags full of gear from our generous sponsors, and the tournament raffle included high-end prizes such as custom rods, Penn Torque and International reels, Grundens Gage Gear, Fishworks clothing, Salt Life apparel, COSTA sunglasses and much more. Clayton Dobbs was the biggest raffle winner of the night, as he had the lucky ticket for the STEDI-EYE Mariner gyroscopic binoculars from the good folks at Fraser Optics. All in all, the 2012 California Billfish Series presented by COSTA was another exciting tournament series and everyone had a blast. Hope to see you next year!
See all the photos by clicking HERE.
2012 California Billfish Series Wrap Up
The teams on California Style and the Chaser
were the big winners in the 2012 California Billfish Series.
The 2012 California Billfish Series presented by COSTA gave away about $150,000 in cash and prizes in its three tournaments, including the Zane Grey Invitational, the Avalon Billfish Classic and the Catalina Classic. While the striped marlin fishing was tough, nearly every crew at least saw fish and had a chance at the big prizes up for grabs. But at the end of the day, the teams on Chaser, a 54-foot Viking with Capt. Jimmy Kingsmill at the helm and California Style, a 50-foot Pacifica led by Burl Gregory and G.J. Sacco were the big winners. Continue reading “2012 California Billfish Series Wrap Up”
2012 Winners Photo Gallery
Congratulations to all of the winners in the 2012 California Billfish Series presented by COSTA.
California Style Wins Catalina Classic
Congratulations to the crew on California Style!
The team fishing on the California Style including Burl Gregory, G.J. Sacco, Jonathan David, Adrian Adrineda, Michael Caldwell and Christian Peterson weighed in a qualifying striped marlin on Day One of the Catalina Classic presented by COSTA, and released a second striped marlin on Day Two to steam ahead of the 27 boat fleet and win a total prize purse of nearly $70,000.
California Style won the $25,000 roll-over money from the 2011 Catalina Classic and swept the dailies and $250 jackpot category.
The crew’s captain, Burl Gregory, and gaff man G.J. Sacco boated angler Christian Petersen’s striped marlin on Day One of the event. The fish was brought back to the Green Pier late in the day and weighed on the tourney scale in front of crowd.
The crew hooked two marlin on Day Two, losing one and catching and releasing the second. California Style was fishing east of San Clemente for both of their fish.
The Catalina Classic is the crown jewel of the California Billfish Series presented by COSTA — the largest offshore tournament series on the West Coast. The series is made up of three tournaments, including the Zane Grey Invitational, Avalon Billfish Classic and the Catalina Classic. These three tournaments are the premiere events in Southern California and are owned and operated by www.BDoutdoors.comand sponsored by some of the top companies in the sportfishing industry including COSTA, Hot Can, Salt Life, Grundens, Melton Int’l Tackle, Scent Blazer, Rancho Leonero Resort, Berkley, PENN, Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop, Dana Landing, Bub’s Dive Bar, Pakula Tackle, Fish Dope, Montauk Tackle Co., Anglers Center, Pacific Coast Sportfishing Magazine, Phenix Rods, Accurate Fishing Products, Mustad, Fraser Optics, Waterman’s Applied Science, Bubba Blade, Salty Dawg Custom Rods, Batson Enterprises, Rotations Pet Food, and Happy Ending Lures.
Standby for more photos, which we will post in the coming days.


































