Guam arrives for SFA tourney

While many of the CNMI’s top anglers from the Saipan Fisherman’s Association have spent the last couple of weeks preparing for the 21st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament, a group from the southernmost link in the Marianas chain recently arrived in advance of this weekend’s big event.

Half of the 12 boat delegation from Guam took their first steps on Saipan’s shores after a daylong journey across the Pacific seas, and the other half dozen skippers and crew should arrive today.

Heading Guam’s anglers are Tony Terlaje of the Tan Rosa, Roland Barcenilla of the Sea Angel, Dale Alvarez of the Lady Issa, Tommy McKinney of the Hog Wild, George Perez of the Consolacion, Joe Quinata of the Joshua David, SaipanCell’s Mark Chamberlain of the M & M, Al Sizemore of the Rose Mary, Emeterio “John” Kakas of the S & J, Mike James of the Emmanuel, and winner of Guam’s fishing derby, Alfredo Manguba of the Josie.

The biggest name from Guam is the biggest winner from last year’s tournament as Hoa Nguyen of the Charlie Cat is retuning for a second chance at bagging the big fish in the CNMI’s waters.

Last time around, Nguyen and the crew of the Charlie Cat walked away with the Governor’s Cup and $10,000 in prize money for the biggest catch of the tournament with a monster marlin that tipped the scales at 519.40 lbs. They also placed third in the bill fish category with another catch of 129.19 lbs, and bagged and the total weight category minus their biggest marlin at 370.77 lbs. By the time the awards ceremony was completed, Nguyen and company took home over $17,000.

While they were happy to reel in the top prizes, the crew of the Charlie Cat was unable to break Danny Agulto’s record 674.43 lbs marlin in 1997 that almost broke the crane truck or James Taitano’s record 106 lb. yellowfin from 1990.

With less than 24 hours until hundreds of rods and reels cast miles of line into the deep blue, the anglers and their crafts are just about ready to go, but this evening there will be a pre-registration briefing at the Smiling Cove Marina from 5pm to 6:30pm where officials will explain the rules and regulations of the fish-athon. Following the briefing, the anglers will have the benefit of the traditional blessing of the boats.
While the blessing is optional, the pre-boat safety inspection is required, and captains should contact the Department of Public Safety’s Boating Safety Unit by calling (670)664-9180 for more information.
Launching points will be at the Sugar Dock in Chalan Kanoa, Smiling Cove Marina, and Fishing Base in Garapan. The early angler catches the worm and can set sail at any of the three locations on the water and underway between the hours of 6am and 8am. Any late launches must depart from the Smiling Cove Marina.

For more information about the Saipan Fisherman’s Association or the upcoming tournament, contact Frank Tudela or Ed Diaz at the Marianas Visitors Authority by calling 664-3200/01.