Although I know many women who are excellent anglers, two stand out in my mind—Rita and Snookie. Snookie has been my reporter from the Balboa Pier since 1999 and has earned the title "Queen of the Pier." The second is Rita who I have had the pleasure of fishing with at several piers. But, she is more than just a pier angler. She fishes everything from the surf to long range tuna boats out of San Diego and is one who has given me treasured help and advice several times. She always catches fish and is one I would match against any male angler including myself. Today I ran across her first letter to our Pier Fishing In California Message Board way back in 2003. Herein the letter and some pictures of Rita over the years.
Date: January 30, 2003
To: Pier Fishing in California Message Board
From: Rita001
Subject: Oyster Point Sturgeon
Hello! Yes I'm new. I want to thank you all for all the useful information and wonderful reports. I really enjoy this site and would like to contribute. So, here's my report.
Fished Oyster Point today with my very excited 5 year-old-son. We got there kinda late after 2:00 since we scoped out Coyote Point first--nothing really happening. When we got to Oyster point we saw a huge sturgeon on the pier. The guy that caught it said it took him over a half hour to land that fish. It was over 5', but under 6'! There was still some herring around the pier and rocks. My son and I managed to net 7 herring. As I was baiting my line with the herring another angler nailed a sturgeon. It came it at 48 inches long--a nice keeper. We didn't catch our dino yet but it sure was an exciting 2 1/2 hours!! We'll try again tomorrow! We saw two keeper sturgeon caught from the pier and one from a boat. Bait used: herring. Note: the bellies of the Sturgeon contained lots of herring and NO Roe!
Date: January 30, 2003
To: Pier Fishing in California Message Board
From: Rita001
Subject: Oyster Point Sturgeon
Hello! Yes I'm new. I want to thank you all for all the useful information and wonderful reports. I really enjoy this site and would like to contribute. So, here's my report.
Fished Oyster Point today with my very excited 5 year-old-son. We got there kinda late after 2:00 since we scoped out Coyote Point first--nothing really happening. When we got to Oyster point we saw a huge sturgeon on the pier. The guy that caught it said it took him over a half hour to land that fish. It was over 5', but under 6'! There was still some herring around the pier and rocks. My son and I managed to net 7 herring. As I was baiting my line with the herring another angler nailed a sturgeon. It came it at 48 inches long--a nice keeper. We didn't catch our dino yet but it sure was an exciting 2 1/2 hours!! We'll try again tomorrow! We saw two keeper sturgeon caught from the pier and one from a boat. Bait used: herring. Note: the bellies of the Sturgeon contained lots of herring and NO Roe!
Rita, myself and Snookie at the Balboa Pier in 2018.
Rita at the 2011 PFIC Get Together in Catalina.
Rita and a nice sheephead at the PFIC Get Together in Avalon, Catalina in 2012
Rita and a small yellowtail at the Cabrillo Mole in Avalon at our 2014 Get Together.
Rita with a bonito at our 2009 Get Together
Myself, wife Pat, Mike Spence (Santa), Kyle, Rita and hashem at the Long Beach ferry terminal on our way to the 2009 Get Together
My wife Pat, Mary and Rita on the registration table for the 2021 Kids Day on the Pier at the Marin Rod and Gun Club
The first day I met Rita and a young Kyle was at the Get Together at the Seacliff Pier in Aptos in 2004
Rita at the 2011 PFIC Get Together in Catalina.
Rita and a nice sheephead at the PFIC Get Together in Avalon, Catalina in 2012
Rita and a small yellowtail at the Cabrillo Mole in Avalon at our 2014 Get Together.
Rita with a bonito at our 2009 Get Together
Myself, wife Pat, Mike Spence (Santa), Kyle, Rita and hashem at the Long Beach ferry terminal on our way to the 2009 Get Together
My wife Pat, Mary and Rita on the registration table for the 2021 Kids Day on the Pier at the Marin Rod and Gun Club
The first day I met Rita and a young Kyle was at the Get Together at the Seacliff Pier in Aptos in 2004
