2012 Rota Fishing Derby starts tomorrow

San Isidro Church Council and its supporters are sponsoring the 2012 Rota Fishing Derby tomorrow through Friday to help raise funds to build a new social hall.

The council also plans to provide improved living accommodations for Rev. Monsignor Louis Antonelly within the new structure.

A total of $40,000 has already been raised, but the council still needs additional funding in order to complete the project.

In case of bad weather, organizers have devised a contingency plan, but as of today, are going ahead with its tentative schedule.

A $10,000 grand prize, provided by Ambros Guam, Inc., goes to the team that brings in the heaviest catch exceeding 500-lbs to Rota’s West Dock Marina.

A $5,000 baby grand prize co-sponsored by Pacific Insurance Underwriters, Inc. and Century Insurance Co. will be awarded to a runner-up catch of over 500 lbs.

In addition, the Top 3 place finishers in the billfish, mahi-mahi, tuna bonita, and yellowfin tuna categories will also be awarded various prize packages.

The entrance fee is set at $150 per boat, which covers two anglers; each additional angler costs $25.

The deadline to register is 4:30pm today.

Fishermen from Tinian, Saipan, and Guam are all invited to help support the San Idisro Sainan Ina Fund drive.

Coincidentally, the event is coupled to take place during Rota’s San Isidro Fiesta in Sinapalo village and all competitors are invited to stay over after the event and partake of Saturday’s festivities. However, an exclusive awards banquet will held for participants on Friday night.

In effort to make signing up easy for off-island entrants, event officials will be present on Tinian, Saipan, and Guam to help ensure a snag-free registration process.

All boats must be in by 6pm on both days in order for their submissions to be accepted; upon a 5am show time, boats can begin fishing as early as 6am.

Off-island boats can begin fishing once they leave their home docks and do not have to travel all the way to the weigh master in Rota if they do not have a worthy catch to submit.

The awards ceremony will take place at Sainan Ina San Isidro Church, which is also the venue for Saturday’s island-wide fiesta.

The event is sponsored by Ambros Gua, Calvo Enterprises, Inc., Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Century Insurance, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Rota Merchandising Corp., Sangao Enterprises, Rota Resort, Sinapalo Safeway, Budget Rental, Kautz Glass Co., I-Connect, Docomo Pacific, Harvest Market/Three Kings, Lucky Store, E-Boy Security Services, Fishing Tackle and Sporting Goods Saipan, and Luta Gas.

Other supporters include KWAW Radio Station, Guam Fishing Coop, the CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources, the CNMI Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Rota Municipal Council, Office of the Mayor, Department of Public Safety’s Boating Safety crew, Saipan Tribune, Marianas Variety, Pacific Daily News, and Frank Taisacan.

For more information or to obtain a registration form, call 532-9362 or 285-4018; or email diego@pticom.com or pete_rmc@yahoo.com. For Guam, contact Manny Duenas at (671)-472-6323, and for Saipan contact Richard Seman at 285-6003.