The Zane Grey Invitational Marlin Tournament is the most exclusive fishing tournament in California.

Zane Grey, a classic literary writer famous for his most popular book Riders of the Purple Sage, arrived in Catalina for the first time in 1918. Zane not only proved to be a fantastic writer, but quite a fisherman also. He developed a passion for “Big Game” fishing and became a legend in California sportfishing for his angling accomplishments. Tuna, Marlin, Swordfish and Sharks were among some of his record-breaking catches that led him to develop tackle and design the first “sportfisher”.

This tournament was designed to memorialize the great writer and to acknowledge his leadership role in modern day sportfishing. Being that his passion and his home were in Catalina, it was only natural that we name the tournament after him. Limited to a maximum of 45 teams, participants represent the best marlin fishermen in the West. Boasting a cash purse over $350,000.00, anglers engage in friendly competition over the four day event.

A modified release format rewards points for released marlin and fish weighed over our minimum weight. The tournament has achieved a 75% release rate of all marlin in the past seven years. The Penn Zane Grey Invitational Marlin Tournament is the first marlin tournament in California to award major cash prizes for released marlin.

California Billfish Series Kick-Off Fiesta with WIDE OPEN Excursions and Harbor Grill.

Clear your schedules for Tuesday, August 24 to attend the California Billfish Series Kick-Off Fiesta. Co-hosted by WIDE OPEN Excursions and The Harbor Grill this event is poised to be a highlight of the season. Taking place at WIDE OPEN’s Corporate Headquarters and Race Shop in Irvine, CA should appeal to all fishermen’s sense of adventure. Filled with race cars, trophies, artwork and Baja... [Read more]

Penn Zane Grey Invitational Quick Wrap Up

The 2009 Zane Grey Invitational was one for the record books. A light field of 12 boats were treated some of the best Southern California marlin fishing that has been experienced in years. The bite was centered on the back side of the island, starting around Cat Harbor on Monday, and moving east as the tournament progressed. Overall, 66 marlin were landed in the tournament, with 61 released. Monday... [Read more]

2009 Penn Zane Grey Invitational - Awards

Click below for photos from the 2009 Penn Zane Grey Invitational Awards http://www.catalinaclassic.com/zane-grey-invitational/2009zg/awards-photos/ 1st Chaser $99,376.00 2nd Scrambler $26,818.00 3rd Exta Sea $8,570.00 Bandit $17,000.00 Day 2 Daily 5k Jackpot  Read More →

Penn Zane Grey Invitational Day 3 Update

Penn Zane Grey Invitational Day 3 Updates - Last Updated 2:25 PM Today’s Releases - Updated List: Chaser: 5 releases Scrambler: 2 releases Sharks Parlour: 1 release Out of Range: 1 release Acero Azul: 1 release PLAY BY PLAY: Scrambler got a double on Jigs at 7:52. Mike Stotesbury released his at 7:56. Dean Foreman released his at 8:17 Chaser hooked up at 8:14. Pete Groesbeck on bait grid F3 Chaser... [Read more]

Penn Zane Grey Invitational Day 2 Update

Penn Zane Grey Invitational Day 2 Updates - Last Updated 09/16 6:20 AM Today’s Releases - Updated List: Scrambler: 6 releases (+1 boated 174 pounds) Exta Sea: 6 releases (+1 boated 195 pounds) Bandit: 5 releases Gambler: 4 releases Ruckus: 4 releases C Bandit: 4 releases Chaser: 3 releases Shannon Rose: 2 releases Out of Range: 1 release Acero Azul: 1 release Good Karma: 1 release (+1 boated) PLAY... [Read more]

Zane Grey Day 1 Results

We had Ruckus just hook and relase a fish at 2:39 in E 2 Acero Azul still hooked up at 2:24 in E 3 Sharks Parlour hooked up at 2:28 in D 3 Chaser Hooked up at 2:44 in E 2 Score- C Bandit 3 release Ruckus 3 release Sharks Parlour 2 release Shannon Rose 1 release Bandit 1 release Exta Sea 1 Release Chaser 1 boated 167.5 pounds and 1 release Acero Azul 1 release Gambler 1 boated 198 pounds Good Karma... [Read more]

2:30 Update for Zane Grey Day One

Since the last update, Bandit and C Bandit released the fish they had hooked up. Exta Sea released a fish in D 3 at 11:53 Sharks Parlour released a fish at 1:23 in E 3 Acero Azul hooked up at 2:224 in E 3 still fighting. Sharks Parlour hooked up ar 2:28 in E 3 still fighting. Good fishing for the guys today. I think we got the VHF working now.  Read More →

Tournament Grid Map

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Penn Zane Grey Invitational Update

Noon at Avalon and great fishing for the teams. Here is a brief summary of tournament control so far (unofficial). Acero Azul- Hook up at 7:54 lost 7:57 grid C3 Chaser Double Hook up at 8:19 lost one boated one at 8:34 C3 Acero Azul hook up at 8:48 lost at 8:51 D-3 Out of Range Hook Up 9:48 lost at 8:51 G 3 Ruckus Hook Up at 9:49 Released 10:03 E 3 Shannon Rose Hook Up10:25 release 10:38 D 3 C Bandit... [Read more]

Dana Landing Market Your One Stop Shop For Tackle, Food and Fuel in Mission Bay

Located between the Dana Landing launch ramp, and Crow’s nest Boat Center on Mission Bay, Dana Landing is a true one stop shop for the private boater. This location was opened 14 years ago by a company that specialized in resort water sports rentals. They have taken there experience with customer service, and paired that with a passion for fishing to create a one of a kind retail shop and charter... [Read more]