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.

The 2008 Tuna Challenge was an amazing success, raising a fantastic total of $310,000.  This donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego will help fund over 40 wishes this year.

Congratulations are especially in order for our two very lucky Boat Raffle winners.  The winner of the fabulous Defiance 220 NT, is a gentleman who is from Rancho Palos Verdes, and has requested that we not publish his name.  The winner of the terrific Zodiac YL340 Yachtline, is Steve Burkholder, from San Diego.  Congratulations to both of you.  We know you will really enjoy using these incredible boats.


Our Mega Boat Raffle for 2008

The 2008 Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge Committee invites everyone to stop by and visit us at various shows through out the year including the Fred Hall Shows and Day at the Docks, April 20th to see our fabulous 22 ft. Defiance Pilothouse fishing boat package valued at over $57,000.00 MSRP. This boat, model 220NT, is the featured Super Grand Raffle Prize for this year’s nineteenth annual tournament.   Graciously donated by Palmer Marine, the boat is being professionally rigged by California Offshore Marine LLC and includes a Yamaha 150 hp four-stroke outboard, a custom T2K trailer, and a custom belly loop tower with rod holders from Pacific Yacht Towers and a complete electronics package by West Marine. California Offshore Marine will install all the components and include a two-scoop bait tank for the lucky winner.

For the second consecutive year our raffle ticket includes an exciting additional separate prize package valued at over $9,000 -- A Zodiac Yachtline 11-ft 2-in RIB, Tohatsu 15 hp four-stroke engine, unihelm seat and console, steering and throttle control, and a B&M EC 600 trailer.  This terrific package was donated by Boater’s World Marine Centers.

We are very grateful to Bo Palmer of Palmer Marine, California Offshore Marine LLC, Yamaha Corp., T2K Trailers, Pacific Yacht Towers and West Marine for this remarkable donation of our Super Grand Raffle Prize.  Special thanks to Rob Sanford who donated a boat to last year’s Tuna Challenge and once again came on board with Make-A-Wish for 2008 through Palmer Marine  We would also like to express our gratitude to Joseph DeArmond, district boat sales manager for Boater’s World Marine Centers’ for their outstanding contribution to our special boat raffle.

Wishes Do Come True!

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. 

If you will be fishing on a Private Boat you may download and mail in our 2008 Private Boat Application (PDF). If you will be fishing on a Charter Boat you may download and mail in our  2008 Charter Boat Application (PDF).

This year, special Fuel Certificate Awards will be given to the Boat Captain’s of the  1st-4th Place winners in the Small and Large Private Boat Division. The special fuel awards will be:  $500 for 1st Place, $400 for 2nd Place, and $300 for 3rd Place, and $300 for 4th place and are for this year only.   These Special Fuel Certificates will be redeemable at Pearson’s Fuel Dock on Shelter Island, San Diego.

Review the Rules

 You may download the 2008 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 14, 2008 - 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 14, the Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge Tournament will host it's 7th 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 as well as from Sport Boats.  Our Special experts are:  Ray Lowry, Pro-Staffer with Shimano American Corporation, and Bobby Woodard, Jr., Pro-Staffer with Izorline.

 This is the last opportunity to register at the early entry Tournament prices, so  the Registration desk will open at 4:00 P.M. and there will be a casual dinner available for a small fee and an open bar.  Tournament Dinner Tickets, Banquet Raffle Tickets, and Boat Raffle Tickets will be available for purchase.  For additional information,  please contact Tom Drake at: (858) 279-0010

 

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.