It’s hard to believe, but the Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby celebrated its 20th year over the weekend. It’s all in support of and a benefit for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, but really it boils down to having a blast. We say “It’s about fish, family, friends and fun!”

Entrants had to move quickly when registration opened in January. The derby is capped at 300 entries due to facility limits. This year’s contest sold out online in less than two hours.

Participants were allowed to fish wherever they wanted as long as they made it to the weigh-in with their fish at 1 p.m. Most anglers filled the beaches between Monterey and Santa Cruz, but some anglers braved the wild north coast near Half Moon Bay, while others targeted sea perch from the rocky escarpments, jetties and piers of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel. The weight-in was held at Portuguese Hall in Santa Cruz, a historical monument to the area’s original Portuguese fishermen and farmers.

This year’s Grand Master Trophy, awarded to the angler who caught the biggest fish, seaperch or surfperch, went to Naikwen Saephan, who weighed in a 15 and 3/4-inch pile perch, undoubtedly caught near Carmel. His big slab weighed 2 pounds and 7 ounces. This was Naikwen’s first time entering the derby and he made quite the splash.

Surf perch caught in the waves near the beach are really what the derby competition was originally established for, and that means barred surf perch. OG Mark Idemoto took the big trophy this year with his 14 3/4-inch BSP caught on the sand crab from his favorite little beach in Santa Cruz.

Another perennial winner took second place for men’s BSP. Dave Modena from Half Moon Bay hit Seacliff Beach in Aptos to land a 13 3/4-inch fish and claim another trophy this year.

Women’s BSP honors were taken by Ayala Padua for her 13 1/4-inch fish caught in Half Moon Bay. First place for the women’s seaperch trophy was won by Samara Cortazzo, another multi-year champion.

Plenty of under-16 juniors participated this year, as usual. The BSP first-place trophy went to Andrew Rodriguez, who reeled in a 12-inch fish. The seaperch first-place trophy was captured by Tristan Oldread, who caught a rare retail perch that measured 13 inches. In the open flared division, longtime participant, and no stranger to the leaderboard, Ken Oda took home the first-place trophy for his 12 1/2-inch barred surf perch.

Thousand of dollars worth of fishing rods, tackle and related items were donated for the raffle and silent auction, as usual. Special thanks go to vital collaborators such as Johnson-Hicks Electronics, West Marine, Battlestar Tackle, Honey Badger Baits, Mekeni Baitz and Western Outdoor News for their hearty and continuing support.

Allen Bushnell also operates Santa Cruz Surf and Kayak Fishing Guide Service. Please send any reports, pictures or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com