In Central Coast lingcod contest, winning was worth the wait for SLO fisherman

An event that’s usually decided late in the year, Patriot Sportfishing’s Annual Lingcod Contest instead had its biggest ling in the 2015 edition reeled in on July16.

Abdul Samaan caught what proved to be the heaviest ling of last season earlier than it ever been done in the 11-year history of the contest. His July 16 catch was 10 days earlier and one pound lighter than 2012 winner, Curtis Ridenour of Santa Maria.

Samaan had to wait out 168 calendar days plus another week or so while Patriot staffer Debi Wood made a thorough check of the daily fish reports before phoning Abdul and telling him the good news.

Winning the Patriot competition means a $1,000 gift certificate.

The 46-year-old has lived in San Luis Obispo since 2003 and has been a regular fishing trip customer of Patriot Sportfishing.

“I usually make 14 trips a season, but health problems limited me to eight in 2015,” he advised during a telephone interview.

Four times he was a jackpot winner, an optional part of sportfishing, which he says he always enters and usually distributes his jackpot winnings to the boat crew.

Just the thought of going saltwater fishing excites him.

“The night before, I can’t get to sleep,” he said.

“One of the best things about saltwater fishing is getting to know the captains and crew, as well as other anglers,” he added. “I become friends with them all.”

The father of two daughters, Heather, 19, and Fayroz, 9, has caught bigger fish than the 23-pounder that won the 2015 Patriot contest.

“Fishing out of Ventura in the Channel Islands, I’ve caught lingcod weighing 29 and 30 pounds,” he said.

Asked about what he plans to do with the $1,000 credit he earned by being the 2015 contest winner, he said, “I plan to upgrade my equipment and fish as often as I can.”

Patriot Lingcod Contest Champions:

2005: 21 lb., 8 oz., John Mulay, Atascadero, Nov. 20.

2006: 25 lb., 13 oz., Rick Inman, Atascadero, Sept. 24.

2007: 18 lb., 10 oz., Fred Kenniston, Bakersfield, Nov. 6.

2008: 22 lb., 1 oz., Joe Torres, Arroyo Grande, Nov. 6

2009: 21 lb., 9 oz. Craig Gong, Selma, Nov. 12.

2010: 24 lb., 6 oz., David Glass, Lompoc, Oct. 31.

2011: 26 lb., 11 oz., Guy Leo, San Jose, Sept. 4.

2012: 24 lb., 0 oz., Curtis Ridenour, Santa Maria, Jul. 26.

2013: *29 lb., 7 oz., Shane McGraw, San Luis Obispo, Dec. 27. (*The fish was at first hooked by McGraw’s 8-year-old son, Max, who was on only his 6th deep sea fishing expeience.)

2014: 27 lb., 12 oz., Freddie Cardenas, Visalia, Oct. 9.

2015: 23 lb. 0 oz., Abdul Samaan, San Luis Obispo, July 16.

Virg’s Landing

Swells on the ocean have postponed whale-watching trips until the first weekend in February. Plans are to offer weekend trips through the end of March. Fares are $39 for adults and $29 for children ages 15 and under. For reservations, call 772-1222, or go online to www.virgslanding.com.

Time to order enchiladas

Now that Super Bowl competitors have been determined, Denver and Carolina, it’s time to order albacore enchiladas to be enjoyed during the game.

The sale is a fundraiser for Central Coast Women for Fisheries. The organization provides college scholarship money for Central Coast students.

There are two varieties of enchiladas: green sauce/corn tortillas, or red sauce/flour tortillas. Four enchiladas per tray sell for $10.

For tickets, call Jackie at 772-8281 or Sharon at 674-4854. Orders are to be picked up Saturday, Feb. 6, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way in Morro Bay.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "In Central Coast lingcod contest, winning was worth the wait for SLO fisherman."