Hello Back Bayer Barbacoas, happy Monday.

We would like to know if anyone found out what happened to the driver who took her Honda down the bike path near Newport Elementary. The Summer really brings out the weirdest in people down there. Maybe it’s the season, maybe it’s the abnormally high tides.

To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

The local waters of Newport Harbor are about to get a lot more active as the Bear Flag Fish Co. Summer Grom Jackpot Tournament officially kicks off. Running from Saturday, July 11 through Saturday, August 8, 2026, the month-long event invites young anglers ages 15 and under to explore our coastal backyard while competing for some serious bragging rights and jackpot prizes.

As a staple of the Newport Beach community, Bear Flag Fish Co.—alongside its popular sister spots like Wild Taco and Hook & Anchor—has always championed the local coastal lifestyle. This tournament keeps that tradition alive, focusing entirely on the next generation of fishermen and women. Once parents register their kids on the Fishing Chaos app, the tournament experience starts with a trip to Wild Taco (407 31st St.) to pick up the official angler swag bag and required tournament measuring mat.

The competition is confined strictly to the boundaries of Newport Beach Harbor, and there are multiple ways for groms to win. The tournament features three main jackpot divisions: Longest Spotted Bay Bass, Longest Halibut, and Most Species Caught (which counts any valid harbor species outside of bass and halibut). There will also be additional mystery prizes revealed at the final awards ceremony.

Because safety and local conservation are top priorities, the official rules outline a few key parameters for families to keep in mind. All legal bait and artificial lures are permitted, and kids can fish from the shore, boats, kayaks, float tubes, or paddleboards—though life jackets are strictly required for anyone on the water. Participants should also note that the Upper Newport Bay is a State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), meaning it is restricted to shore fishing only; no vessels, kayaks, or boards are allowed to fish in that zone.

To ensure catches count toward the leaderboard, submissions must be uploaded through the Fishing Chaos app with location services enabled. Photos must show the entire fish facing left on the official measuring mat with all lures removed, and the fish's eye and tail must remain uncovered if it needs to be held down. With a month of summer fishing ahead, it’s a fantastic opportunity for local families to get outside, enjoy the harbor, and support a great community event.

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Spring suit 3/2

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is convinced he’s contracted cyclosporiasis from a bad batch of Taylor Farms bagged salad.

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