King Fisher, Debbie I prevail in derby

King Fisher’s anglers and their supporters pose with their 379-lb marlin caught last Saturday during the 34th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

King Fisher and Debbie I still emerged victorious in the 34th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament held over the weekend.

Debbie I, which won last year’s grand prize, faltered on its back-to-back bid, but came out on top of the total weight category with their 303.4-lb catch, which include a 184.8-lb marlin. The Guam-based boat is captained by Roque Chaco with Randal, Ray, and Anthony Chaco, and Romy Wagan as his anglers.

King Fisher, on the other hand, took the first place honors in the marlin category. Its 379-lb bill fish last Saturday was among the last-minute catch to have made it at the weigh station at the Smiling Cove Marina. Spectators waited anxiously, as the more than eight-feet marlin was weighed, with people hoping it would surpass 10-7’s prized catch. It didn’t, leaving the Tak Nakazato-captained King Fisher to settle for the No.1 finish in the marlin category instead of the giant perpetual trophy where all the grand prize winners’ names were etched.

Joining King Fisher in the Top 3 in the marlin division were Francisco Mendiola’s O’Dear and Diego Benavente’s Victoria. O’Dear reeled in a 334-lb marlin last Sunday, while Victoria brought to the dock its 302lb catch last Saturday.

In other categories, the first place winners were Padre De Familia (skipjack tuna), O’Dear (yellow fin tuna), Bella (wahoo), and Olei (mahi).

The Francisco Mendiola-skippered Padre De Familia came to Smiling Cove dock with its 16.6-lb skipjack tuna last Saturday. Bunita of captain Mike Fleming had the second heaviest catch in the same category with its 16.1-lb tuna, which was also caught on Day 1 of the tournament. Debbie I completed the Top 3 with its 15.9-lb tuna that was reeled in, too last Saturday.

In the yellow fin division, O’Dear’s 57-lb catch came last Sunday and it beat the 55.8lb of the Marky Ngiraklang-captained Olei. Both boats are from Guam, while Saipan’s Sweet Candy of captain George Moses got the third place honors with its 54.8-lb yellow fin.

In the wahoo category, Bella, which is lead by Superior Court Associate Judge Perry B. Inos Sr., brought home a 26.3-lb wahoo last Saturday to prevail against the 23.9-lb wahoo of Sweet Candy and 23.8 pounds of Heinz Hofschneider’s Cabo Express.

In the mahi category, Olei was the runaway winner with its 12.2-lb catch, while Victoria and 10-7 came in at second and third after reeling in 4.1 lbs and 3.9 lbs, respectively.

The Top 3 placers in each category received trophies patterned after the fish they caught and cash and in-kind prizes during the awards ceremony held at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan last Monday night.