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Sea Craft reels in mightiest mahi
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Posted on Apr 21 2008
Capt. Rolly Trajeco and two crewmen of Sea Craft Four won the 4th Annual Mahi-Mahi Fishing Derby after reeling in a 24.3-lb. mahi-mahi caught in Tinian waters last Saturday.
Trajeco said he, Annie Legaspi, and Liody Bukid grappled with the monster mahi for about 15 minutes before heading back to Smiling Cove Marina a mere four hours after setting sail, confident that the 24-pounder they caught was the day’s prize catch.
Trajeco said he was so confident with the weight of their mahi-mahi that they immediately pulled anchor and headed back to Saipan. They had their catch registered and weighed in a couple of hours before lunchtime.
The Sea Craft pilot’s prediction turned out right, as Trajeco and company came away with the $1,500 first place purse after barely beating out runner-up boat Tweety Bird which reeled in a mahi-mahi that tipped the scales at 24.25 lbs.
Captain Eric David and his crewmen composed of Gonzalo Pangelinan and Tak Nakazoto pocketed $1,000 for their effort.
Last year’s runner-up tandem of Tony Maestro and Manding Legaspi wound up third this time after DJ Fish Mobile caught a 22.35-lb. mahi-mahi. The two split the $500 third place prize.
MV Gloria II and Blue Water placed fourth and fifth with catches of 20.25 lbs. and 20 lbs., respectively.
MV Gloria II was piloted by Juan Sablan and it had a full crew made up of Ray Guerrero, Frank Ada, Blumal Ada, Regina Andres, Jenna Hall, and Tom Diaz. Sablan and company are the defending champions of the wahoo fishing derby.
Meanwhile, Blue Water’s captain was Cui Yu Jie and its crew was composed of Cui Jun Jie and Shen Wen Zhe.
Saipan Fishermen’s Association treasurer Floyd Masga said he was pleased with the turnout and the amount of catch, considering that boats and their crew had to endure rough sea conditions the whole day Saturday.
For his part, Mike Babauta of event sponsor Pacific Trading Co., said the 32-boat field was two more than what the annual Mahi-Mahi Fishing Derby attracted last year.
“There were two more extra boats, so I’m happy.”
