Luka and Ben takes grand prize

Luka and Ben of captain Rick George and crew members Phillip and Mel Adan and Steve Igisiar was awarded the grand prize in the Saipan Fishermen Association 27th Annual International Fishing Tournament Monday night at the Hyatt Regency Saipan pool side.

The major prize package included a round trip ticket to anywhere in the U.S., a cooler and Bud products, a cell-phone, $2,000 in cash, and another $1,900 in side bet earnings. Eighteen of the 48 boats paid $100 dollars apiece to see which hauled the biggest marlin and Luka and Ben’s 8’11” 420-lb monster bested Mada Flyers’ 357.5-lb catch.

Mada Flyer’s captain Lino Tenorio and crewmen senator Luis Crisostimo and Juko Ishikawa settled for first prize in the billfish category and took home $1,250. Da Atta Girl (262.5-lbs) won an even $1,000 for second place and Bunita (224-lbs) shared $750 for third. All Top 4 finishers also won portable grills.

My Lady Gora of captain Jess Aldan and anglers Ignacia and Jason Aldan, John Castro, and Jordan Ogo topped the yellow fin class with a 50.70-lb late-hour entrant caught on the final day. The group won $1,000, a cell phone and “Size Matters” tank tops. Saint Patrick (38.35-lbs) won $500 and a one-night stay at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino for placing second. There was no third place finisher, as the category set a 15-lb catch minimum.

Marianas ruled a tight wahoo field with a 31.40-lb whopper and won $1,000, a cooler with Bud products, a cell phone, and “Size Matters” tank tops. Jesus Muna captains the team with anglers Pedro DL Guerrero and Nick S. Muna. CM-452-PU (29.45-lbs) gained $500 and third placer Emmanuel (29.25-lbs) of Guam won $300. Second and third finishers also each received a three-day pass for one at Spaness.

Emmanuel also took home top honors in the mahi category with its 27.30-lb trophy fish. Captain Michael James with anglers Frank James and George Arriola won $1,000, a cooler with Bud products, and a cell phone, while runner-up Sea Ray (10.75-lbs) won $500 with a one-night stay for two at Pacific Islands Club. My Lady Gora (3.80-lbs) took home $300 and a free Sunday brunch for two at World Resort’s Buffet World Restaurant.

Joker IV (16.85-lbs) under captain Mario Barit with first mate Annie Legaspi came out on top in the skip jack grouping with their 16.85-lb winner. The duo received $300, a cooler with Bud products, and a Red X-1 first aid kit. Sea Ray (16.65-lbs) won $200 for second place and Magnificat (15.30-lbs) was issued $100 for third. Each finisher also each received a $100 Yamaha gift card and gift certificates from Hermann’s Bakery and Kinpachi Restaurant.

Tweety’s two-day 144-lb workload took the total weight honors good for $500, a cooler with Bud products, a three-day pass for one at World Resort Saipan’s Spaness, and dinner for two at Stars & Stripes. The trio is made up of captain Gonzalo Pangelinan and anglers JD Tenorio and Joe Selbart.

Major sponsors Delta Airlines provided the plane tickets, Docomo Pacific handed out the Samsung B2710 cellular phones, Budweiser provided the coolers, and the American Red Cross NMI Chapter gave away first aid kits to winners.

Other event sponsors included the Marianas Visitor Authority, Marpac, Micronesian Woodcraft, Mobil, NMC CREES, Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc., Rota Germanium Mineral Water, Saipan Aqua World, Saipan Shipping, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Triple B Forwarders, FAS Moving, Fishing & Tackle Sporting Goods, Joeten Enterprises, Joeten Motors, and YCO Corporation.

Meanwhile, organizers observed a moment of silence during the banquet to honor late SFA members Sam Waki and Jun Flores.

Winners in various categories were left to fight over a handcrafted solid wood trophy carved into the fish species, accordingly, while the grand prize winner was presented with a miniature version of the coveted perpetual trophy. By custom, the grand prize winning team members have their names engraved on the life-size 6-foot trophy.