Russell, Houk gear up for spearfishing tourney

Two-time defending weight division winners Scott Russell and Pete Houk are eyeing a three-peat in the 3rd Annual Spearfishing Tournament set for May 16 in the waters off the Northern Marianas.

“We took first in team weight in both tournaments and would love to complete a hat trick this year. It will be difficult though, as there will be a lot of good fishermen competing again this year such as Felix Sasamoto and the Borja brothers (James and Ken) from Guam just to name a few. We look forward to the challenge and will just try to do our best and hope it is good enough to place among the top teams,” said Russell in an e-mail to the Saipan Tribune.

To prepare to defend their title, Russell said he and Houk have been going out the past few weekends to dive and to check out possible new fishing spots.

“We won’t make a final decision on where to dive until the day of the tournament when we see the weather. Strategy will be key to winning. The teams that get to the good spots first and take care of business will probably take the top spots. Luck is also a factor,” he added.

One thing going against the Dynamic Duo though is the absence of their regular skipper, Ben Somol.

“He operated the boat for us in the first two tournaments and he won’t be with us this year. He is going to Satawal on the Carolinian canoes. I hope this does not ruin our mojo. He is a big part of the team and of our success,” said Russell of Somol who is an employee of Division of Environmental Quality.

The 3rd Annual Spearfishing Tournament is organized by the Marianas Apnea Spearfishing Club and interested anglers have until only today, May 9, to cast their entries.

Would-be participants can submit their entries no later than 5pm today at Aquasmith Dive Shop in Garapan.

Participants from Tinian, Rota, Guam, or other island residents, meanwhile, can send their entries through e-mail (dive@aquasmith.com) and payments can be made a day before the tournament.

The entry fee per person is $50 and MASC will only accept a catch that is at least 11 lbs.

The third edition of tournament on May 16 starts at 6am and last until 4pm with no limitation on the area of coverage. The spearfishing area includes Tinian or Goat Island, except sanctuary and dive spots, and the Banzai Cliff area.

Categories to be contested are biggest fish (first prize only) and total weight, which includes individual (first to third) and team (first to 10th places).

MASC president Morito Asai said there would be no fish category this year to minimize the time for weigh-ins.

For more information about the 3rd Annual Spearfishing Tournament, contact Asai at dive@aquasmith.com.