Dara Stotesbury

I was born in Newport Beach, CA and grew up at the beach in Huntington Beach, CA. My dad loved to fish, although I do not remember fishing with him other than at our family’s ranch in Oregon when I was about 5, from a photo I found. My first real ocean fishing trip was in 1989. I was not sure if I would get sea sick, so I gave it a try and fell in love with the sport. I quickly began fishing offshore for yellowtail, dorado, albacore and marlin. I fished every chance I could, and marlin became my favorite offshore species. Catching a marlin in So. California is a tough feat in itself, as we do not get that many up here, so chances of catching one are slim.

In 1997 my daughter was born, and I took a few years off to focus on being a mom. When I went to start up the sport again I was then a single mom, and the thought of fishing on sport boats was a scary one. Being the only woman on a sport boat did not sound too good to me, as I was used to fishing on small private boats One day I got on the internet and tried to find local women's fishing charters or clubs. With no luck, I decided to start my own group, and that’s how “Chicks Who Fish” came to life. I remember my first trip being the only girl, it was a little scary but I quickly over came my fear, made new friends and launched CWF! I was hoping to help other women find more friends to fish with, and not have the fear to fish on a party boat with a bunch of guys. Today CWF is still going strong with over 93,000 hits on the web site www.chickswhofish.com and 1,000+ email contacts. CWF today is a place people can go to post or talk about their trips, find out fishing information, locate seminars and meet other CWF members, women and men who love to fish.

I had been involved in real estate since high school, but I gave it up to pursue my love for fishing. I worked at Davey's Locker in Newport Beach for a year, and then I was offered a job at the prestigious Balboa Angling Club. I worked there for over 2 years as the club secretary. During that time I met my husband Greg Stotesbury of AFTCO Mfg. We had known each other since 1989 through the BAC. In 2003 we were married and our anchor is our love for our kids and fishing. Greg introduced me to fresh water fishing, and fishing all over the world for species I had only dreamed of catching. We currently have a 25' Diesel Skipjack that we love to camp on at San Clemente Island, or Catalina with our kids and an 18' Champion that we spend the winters on fishing lakes all over California and Arizona. My latest catches have been swordfish, tarpon, permit, sailfish, mutton snapper and many other species in Florida. As for freshwater fishing I am still very new to the sport, as it takes a lot of technique and patience. I have caught largemouth bass up to 8 1/2 pounds and peacock bass up to 10 pounds.

My true love is still marlin, especially on light line. Don't get me wrong, it is not everyday that you get to catch a swordfish or drive the boat while your husband is hooked up to one right here off California. However, marlin still have my heart and get my adrenaline flowing! In 2002 I took 1st place in the Los Pescadores Marlin tournament, In 2003 I took 1st place in the King Harbor Marlin Tournament, In 2004 I took 2nd place in the Master Angler Billfish Tournament and in 2005 I was part of a team in the Master Angler Billfish Tournament that took 1st place. I enjoy the sport of catching a Marlin on 12# test, despite the fact many consider it the toughest local challenge in offshore fishing. Is it hard? Absolutely it is! In the 2003 KHMT I lost 2 marlin on 12# tackle, and it took me over 3 hours to land the one that won me the tournament! This year 2006, our boat(Kawakawa) took 1st place in the Master Angler Billfish Tournament. My brother in law Michael was high angler with 3 Marlin on 12# test and my one Marlin on 12# that took me 6 hours and 40 minutes to land won us the tournament. The fish had become body wrapped and with A LOT of patience we got it unwrapped and released. I release all Marlin I catch, and fish only release-format tournaments. Everyone has their love for certain species, and Marlin are mine. The truth is I love the ocean! Just being out there makes me feel at home. Catching marlin, big yellowtail, limits of white seabass, albacore or tuna is just a plus for me!