Marlin Chasers tops billfish category

Volunteers bring down the marlin Marlin Chasers caught last Sunday during the 30th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament at the Smiling Cove Marina. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Marlin Chasers’ 268.5-lb Pacific marlin caught last Sunday nearly stood out among the single catch marlin of the participating boats until Goru had its marlin weighed in a few minutes later and tipped the scale at 276lbs. The Guam-based boat ended up taking the grand prize and left Marlin Chasers with the first place honors in the two-day tournament.

Bob Taguchi captained the Marlin Chasers and had Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz, Joe Borja, Ernesto Rangamar, Tim Chen, Gary Peterman, and Ray Dela Cruz as anglers. The Marlin Chasers edged Day 1 leader Regulator and 2013 grand prize winner Luka & Ben in the billfish category. The Hideyuki Kaya-skippered Regulator, which had Alfonso Sebengil, Fons Ngirmeriil, and Quintin Ngirarious as anglers, landed a 169.15-lb marlin last Saturday to take the early lead in the annual competition. Luka & Ben, which won last year’s event with its 221.5-lb catch, dropped to third this year after bringing in a 149.65-lb marlin also last Saturday.

Meanwhile, other top finishers in various categories were Here Fishee Fishee II, Bunita, Da Atta Girl, Magnificat, and St. James.

Here Fishee Fishee II of captain Isidro Sablan and crew members Solomon Castro, Vincent Villagomez, and Jeffrey Reyes ruled the yellowfin tuna category with their 69.55-lb catch. Here Fishee Fishee II defeated Guam’s Emmanuel and Marlin Chasers, which reeled in 65.35lbs and 63.40lbs, respectively.

In the wahoo category, Bunita’s 35.10lbs gem edged the 28.40lbs of Rosemary and 26.15lbs of Dani-Pai. The winning boat is captained by Mike Fleming, who was assisted by angler Ruben Garde.

In the mahi division, the Benny Iriarte-captained Da Atta Girl caught a 50.60-lb fish last Saturday to prevail against CM 4556 PU (36.80lbs) and MV Gloria (36.35lbs). Helping Iriarte trolled the Marianas waters for two days were anglers Sheldon, Oscar, and Karrie Fernandez and Ben Tabin.

In the skipjack tuna division, Magnificat won a close battle against Keilani-Ko with the former hauling in a 17.65-lb fish to beat the latter’s 17.45lbs. Magnificat is led by captain Frank Camacho, who were joined by anglers Marc Artero, Charles Cruz, Matthew Guzman, and Roy Reyes. Padre De Familia took third place with its 17.20-lb skipjack tuna.

St. James completed the list of winners in the weekend competition after prevailing in the total weight division with its 367-lb marlins. Tony Maestro is the boat captain, while Mario Jumalon is his lone angler.

The Top 3 finishers in each categories received wooden trophies, depicting the respective fish they caught, while Goru was awarded the giant perpetual trophy.