MV Gloria II reels in 29.2-lb wahoo to win Tasi To Table derby

Captain John T. Sablan, in orange T-shirt, and the the crew of MV Gloria II show off their catch after winning the Tasi To Table’s 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas Fishing Tournament last Saturday.(MARK RABAGO)

Captain John T. Sablan and the MV Gloria II reclaimed their lofty place in local fishing lore after topping Tasi To Table’s 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas Fishing Tournament last Saturday.

During a brief awards ceremony at the Smiling Cove Marina’s  weigh station, Sablan said even though they won with a 29.2-lb catch, the wahoo they caught before noon in the waters off the Kingfisher Golf Links is actually a minnow compared to ones they usually catch. 

He said MV Gloria II actually is the record-holder of the heaviest wahoo ever when they reeled in a whopping 54-lb wahoo in 2008 during the Saipan International Fishing Tournament. 

Sablan dedicated the 2023 Tasi To Table tourney win to his family and his crew members composed of his sons, grandson, and deckhands John Sablan Jr., Manny Sablan, Jose Tenorio Quan, Eric Kani, and John Damian B. Sablan.

“It’s a good day! It’s one of those days that when your luck is there even when you’re not concentrating, you just catch,” he said about the winning wahoo who only put on a 15-minute fight before being landed.

As for the lure, the 64-year-old owner of JG Sablan Ice & Water said they used a tried-and-tested blue and pink lure that has been a favorite of wahoo. 

Sablan, who started fishing when he was just 12 years old, also credited location as one his trade secrets for always getting the weightiest wahoo

“Secret is just the location. You should know where to look for them…and where they always hang around,” said Sablan, who pocketed $2,000 for topping the one-day event.

Defending champion Salty Bandits didn’t get away like—well bandits this time—after coming in second with a 28.5-lb wahoo. Skipper Masaki Kitami and deckhands Kalama Fernandez and Austin Benavente went home with $1,500.

Y-Knot completed the Top 3 with a 27.7-pounder and got $1,000 for their efforts. Y-Knot was captained by Alexandro Castro Sr. with Alex Castro Jr., Carmelita Castro, and Ricky George serving as crew. 

Total weight winner, meanwhile, was the Marilyn with Jesse C. Taitano as captain and Jesseboy Taitano as the crew. They won $500 for totaling 61.1 lbs.

Side bet winner for the heaviest mahi was Mako Pacific after captain Kiku Hapdei and crew member Vicente Masga reeled in a 25.4-lb mahi.

The 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas Fishing Tournament is one of Tasi To Table’s main yearly fishing events. 

It is a student-run fishing derby as students were in charge of soliciting in-kind donations, helping with the designs of the marketing and promotional materials for the event (flyers, volunteer shirts, hoodie rashguards for fishermen, trophies), and going on the radio to promote the event, etc.

On registration day, students handled processing registrations and payments and getting fishermen their shirts. On the day of the derby, students assisted with getting fish off of fishermen’s boats, getting the fish weighed, etc. Tasi To Table Also had students assist with event photography. 

Da’Ok Academy’s Nathan Bauleong served as event chair with Marianas High School’s Leilani Attao as vice chair.