Southwestern Yacht Club (SWYC) casts off its 40th annual Charity Bottom Fishing Tournament in Point Loma on Saturday, May 8 in hopes of catching plenty of proceeds to benefit the San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. While most of the expected 300-plus participants are club members or have ties to other local yacht or fishing clubs, event organizers also hope to reel the public in. “We absolutely encourage the public to register,” said first-year tournament co-chairman Tom Olson. “We advertise for it on the radio, on certain fishing-oriented shows, and we put it on the calendars of fishing magazines.” Rock cod and ling cod are the catch of the day, with prizes given for the largest of each (the largest rock cod prize will have a category for men, women and juniors with a $300 incentive). SWYC members invite those with shaky sea legs to gather on land for the evening fish fry. Plenty of fish tales, a silent auction and a raffle are on the docket. Silent-auction items include a one-week stay in Cabo San Lucas and lodging in New Zealand. The club takes the catch-and-eat approach, as all bottom fish weighed in for trophies that day will be served at the dinner, where awards will be given out. Event organizers hope all the tournament festivities will be fun for participants, but will also raise funds and awareness for San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine, an organization that provides people who are facing life-threatening illnesses access to quality care, regardless of their ability to pay. The organization’s mission is in the name, as palliative means soothing or calming. In the past few years, as part of the club’s Benefit on the Bay program that gives back to the community in several ways, SWYC and its sponsors have raised more than a half-million dollars for the causes. “I couldn’t think of a better cause,” Olson said, “These people are just wonderful and do a great job. I always thought the event was a great event. Now that I am involved with the people at hospice, I think it’s even a better event.” While early birds caught a $10 discount, anglers can still join in the event. Registration is $75 per participant and includes a complimentary breakfast. For information, call (619) 222-0438, or visit http://southwesternyc.org/ anglers.html.