St. Patrick rules Mahi Derby

St. Patrick won the 5th Annual Miller Lite Mahi Fishing Derby Saturday, getting the heaviest catch of the day on Tinian waters.

Boat captain Manding Legaspi and anglers Tony Maestro and Dong Salini had a winning catch weighing 19.70 lbs. to bring home the top prize of $1,500 in cash, plus gift certificates from event sponsors.

The second heaviest mahi-mahi weighed 19.45 lbs. and was owned by Takedae Nakazato (captain), Gus Castro, and Frank Tudela aboard Blue Water. They shared the second prize of $1,000 cash.

Last year’s winning boat Sea Craft IV had its heaviest catch tipping the scale at 18.20 lbs, which was good only for third place. Sea Craft IV captain Annie Legaspi and angler Rolly Trajeco settled for $500.

San Juan II’s Juan San Nicolas (captain) and Erral Moises (angler) also came in with a 18.20 lb-catch, but they dropped to fourth place and won $300, after coming in at the weighing station less than an hour behind Sea Craft IV.

Sea Craft IV arrived at 3:41pm , while San Juan II checked in at 4:12pm.

Nombei’s Joe Borja (captain), and Pat Ulechong, Jerry Smith and Frank Iguel (anglers) placed fifth with their 18.10 lb-catch and took home $200 cash.

Manding Legaspi said it was the biggest mahi-mahi he and the St. Patrick crew caught since the tournament started and it was also their first time to finish on top.

But this year’s winning catch failed to top last year’s 24.3-lb mahi caught by Sea Craft IV crew, also on Tinian waters.

Legaspi did not join last year’s derby, the first time he skipped the tournament since its inception, five years ago.

Saipan Fishing Association president Gene Weaver said it was an interesting tournament because it was a non-government payday ,but they were able to accomplish their target.

A record of 47 boats registered for the tournament, according to SFA special event chairman John Pan.

“Everybody arrived safely. There was no distress call reported. It only showed that all participants practiced safe boating,” Pan said.

Organizers of Saturday’s derby thanked the following for supporting the tournament: Pacific Trading, Shell Marianas, Docomo Pacific, Sherwin Williams, Safety First, Pacific Islands Club, Saipan Ice, JG Sablan Water and Ice, the Department Land of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Emergency Management Office, DPS Boating Safety, Marianas Visitors Authority, and Saipan Fishermen Association.

SFA said its next event will be the 25th annual Saipan International Fishing Derby to be held either in July or August.