Captain Paul has one left in fishing bucket list

Botin Saba skipper Paul Roberto and crew pose with the oversized airplane ticket to the All Micronesian Tournament in Majuro, Marshall Islands presented by Marianas Pacific Distributors during the 39th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament awards banquet last Monday night at Kensington Hotel Saipan. Also in photo are Saipan Fishermen Association officials and MARPAC resident manager Guy Pudney. (MARK RABAGO)

Botin Saba skipper Paul Roberto said he has won all categories in the fishing derby with the exception of the total weight category.

“I’ve won first place in wahoo, mahi mahi, yellowfin, tuna, and second place in the other different categories. This is the first time I’ve won the grand prize. I wanna win total weight then I can retire as a captain and he (son James) can have my boat,” he told Saipan Tribune following the awards banquet last Monday night at Kensington Hotel Saipan.

The elder Roberto also said prior to landing the 140.2-lb billfish last Sunday that ultimately won them $8,900—$3,000 for the grand prize plus the $5,900 side bet—he and the crew of Botin Saba caught and then lost a couple of large billfish on Day 1 Saturday.

This made it doubly important for his crew to hold on to the winning billfish that only beat the 6pm cutoff time by 20 minutes.

“When we caught it, I told my guys don’t lose the fish because if you do I’m gonna make you swim in there,” said the 57-year-old who has over four decades of fishing experience.

Roberto said winning the grand prize was made more improbable since they hooked the billfish aboard their miniscule 16-foot boat.

He did say they have a 24-foot boat, but wanted to use the Botin Saba because it was handed to him by his dad and once he finally completes the local fishing derby’s version of the cycle, he will pass on Botin Saba to his son.

“I’m trying to get the grand prize and total weight so I can close the book and he can be the captain. We actually bought a new and larger boat together and named it Botin Saba II,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marianas Pacific Distributors shocked everyone in attendance during the awards banque by announcing that Roberto and company won the other surprise side bet of the derby—two all-expense paid airline tickets to take part in the All Micronesia Tournament in Majuro, Marshall Islands.

“It’s our 50th anniversary so we wanted to do something a little special…We’re trying to build camaraderie among all the fishermen in Micronesia and there’s one thing that all the derbies have in common in Micronesia is that we’re all a sponsor of them. So, we’re gonna fly the captain and whoever his angler is down to the All Micronesia fishing derby in Majuro and they will represent the CNMI. Good luck and hope you’ll win but the most important thing is you build that bridge so that hopefully will get some fishermen from down there to come up here to enjoy the Saipan International Fishing Tournament,” said MARPAC resident manager Guy Pudney.

If all goes well, Pudney added that aside from the All Micronesia Tournament, they will also sponsor the winner of the Saipan International Fishing Tournament to other fishing derbies around the region.

“Hopefully in the future we might do something where we fly the winners to also enjoy the Palau fishing derby. So stay tuned!” he said.