The Port of San Diego’s 35th Annual Day at The Docks – a free West Coast public celebration and the official start of Southern California’s spring saltwater fishing season – is set for Sunday, April 13, 2014. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at San Diego’s Sportfishing Landings, located at 1403 Scott Street.

The 2014 Day at The Docks features San Diego’s state-of-the-art sportfishing fleet, which offers first-class accommodations while traveling to some of the world’s most prolific fish-filled waters.

“We invite the public to participate in this family-friendly event and help us kick off the spring saltwater fishing season,” said Port of San Diego Chairman Bob Nelson. “This is a great opportunity to introduce children to this exciting San Diego outdoor sport with free, on-the-spot lessons from some of our fleet’s most accomplished fishers.”

The event is family friendly and will feature numerous exhibits, live local entertainment and raffles of fishing equipment donated by sponsors and exhibitors. Children will be introduced to the fun and rewards of fishing at each of the three landings. Young anglers will benefit from assistance from members of the San Diego Rod & Reel Club and San Diego Anglers.

Free parking and free round-trip shuttle service from Shelter Island will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The sportfishing industry’s leading manufacturers will display the latest in fishing tackle. Bay tours will be available, along with displays by marine artists and fishing tackle experts, food, entertainment, children’s fishing, contests and prizes.

Captains and crews, aboard their boats, will share their wealth of knowledge acquired over a lifetime. Recognized experts will conduct “how-to-do-it” seminars covering different aspects of sportfishing. Local chefs will offer tips on how to prepare and cook your catch.

Event highlights include captains and crew plus an all-star lineup of experts presenting “how-to” on-board seminars; more than 200 exhibits; raffles of fishing equipment; live entertainment; marine art; a casting competition;  a Captains’ Dunk Tank; kids’ free fishing; kids’ hands-on art projects; and boat rides around the Bay at $3 per person.

The Day At The Docks is produced by the San Diego Sportfishing Council and sponsored by the Port of San Diego and County of San Diego