Previous Story
San Juan tops 15th mahi-mahi fishing derby
Errol T. Moises shows his winning catch at the 15th Annual Mahi-mahi Fishing Derby last March 30, 2019. (MVA)
Capt. John and crew of the boat San Juan topped the 15th Annual Mahi-mahi Fishing Derby last March 30, in the Marianas. The derby, organized by the Saipan Fishermen’s Association, attracted 30 boats and 107 participants.
Captain John San Nicolas and angler Errol Moises’ 18.7-lb mahi-mahi weighed in for the winning catch.
In second place was an 18.3-lb catch by 10-7 under Capt. Alvin Iglesias.
In third was an 18.2-lb fish by Capt. Bob Taguchi and the crew of Pastime III.
The K Fisher II and Victoria were tied in fourth place with a 17.8-lb mahi-mahi, but since K Fisher II had entered the Smiling Cove Marina first, they are the official fourth-place winner. Settling for fifth place, the Victoria arrived at the marina at 4:55pm, just minutes before the 5pm cut-off time.
“The Mahi-mahi Derby is a side event that we organize during mahi season and this year we had it around the tail end, so the catches are a bit smaller, but, nonetheless, we had a good turn out and another great derby,” said SFA president Gene Weaver.
Weaver also extended the SFA’s thank you to the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Public Safety’s Boating Safety Unit and American Memorial Park for their support and Fishing Tackle, IP&E, Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance, Marpac, and Docomo for donating prizes.
The derby started at 6am and concluded at 5pm the same day, with boats launching from and weighing their catch at Smiling Cove Marina.
Prizes include $1,000 cash and in-kind prizes for first place, with remaining placement also receiving cash and in-kind prizes.
“The Mahi-mahi Fishing Derby is not only a great hit for local fisherman, but also an annual event that fishermen from neighboring islands look forward to every year,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “The MVA is pleased to be an annual sponsor of the SFA, which gives visiting fishermen the opportunity to troll the beautiful, deep blue waters of the Marianas.”
The Mahi-mahi Fishing Derby is held annually. (MVA)
