Emmanuel wins big in fishing derby

Boat captain Mike James and his crew at the Emmanuel became the big winner of the 31st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament, which was held over the weekend at the Smiling Cove Marina.

Emmanuel boat captain Mike James, second right, joins his anglers George Arriola, from left, and Chris Camacho, and Saipan Fishing Association president Gene Weaver after claiming the grand prize of the 31st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament during the awards banquet last Monday night at the Pacific Islands Club. (Jon Perez)

The official results of all the Top 3 finishers were announced in Monday night’s awards banquet at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan.

James along with his two-person crew composed of anglers George Arriola and Christian Camacho reeled in a total of five billfish in the two-day tournament including the heaviest catch that earned for them the grand prize.

The Emmanuel’s grand-prize winning billfish tipped the scales at 234.5 lbs to clinch the $3,000 cash prize along with an 18-quart roaster oven from YCO, dinner for two at PIC’s Magellan, Mobil gas coupons, and I Love Saipan T-shirts.

They also took the total weight category with 297 lbs for another $2,000 cash and Mobil gas coupons.

The weight of the heaviest mahi, skipjack, and wahoo that the Emmanuel caught were added to their 234-lb billfish.

Another one of Emmanuel’s five billfish caught came in third with a weight of 129 lbs giving them an additional $1,000 cash, a buffet for two at the Kanoa Resort, and Mobil gas coupons.

The Emmanuel also caught a 26.75-lb wahoo that was the third best for an additional $500 cash, a room stay at the PIC, and LET’S GO Tours gift certificates.

Overall, the Emmanuel collected $8,900 in cash prizes as James with Arriola and Camacho also won the side bet. Twenty-four boat captains participated in the side bet where $2,400 was the total cash prize pooled in.

In 2012, the Emmanuel needed almost three hours before subduing a record-breaking 942-lb. Pacific Blue Marlin to rule the tournament. That fish shattered the 938 lbs caught by Ampas Boys in 2000.

Before the Ampas Boys, captain Danny Agulto’s Love Boat held the previous record of 624.34 lbs in 1997.

The Aquaholics of captain Tony Flores, and crew composed of Nobert Diaz and Luis Manibusan topped the billfish category with a 146-lb. catch that earned them $2,500 cash, an YCO gift basket, $50 gift certificate at Fishing Tackle, Mobil gas coupons, and I Love Saipan T-shirt.

The Blu By U of Dr. Hoa Nguyen came in second with their Billfish tipping the scales at 132.5lbs. He and his crew composed of Bao-Thanh Nguyen, Johnny Cruz, Joe Malicsi, and Kerry Cutting went home with $1,500 cash, one night stay at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, Mobil gas coupons, and an I Love Saipan T-shirt.

The three-member crew of the Zeppelin—composed of captain Steven Pixley, and anglers Jerry Ereso and Ben Lawrence—brought home the top Wahoo that weighed 31.0 lbs.

Their winning catch netted them $1,000 cash, an YCO gift basket, and $50 Fishing Tackle gift certificate.

The Amazing Grace of Tony Scragg, Com Coleman, Herman Guerrero, and John Guerrero came in second with 26.8 lbs. They received $500 cash, a room stay at the PIC, and LET’S GO Tours gift certificates.

The final results of the top three finishers in the Mahi and Skipjack fish categories were not yet available at press time.