Padre De Familia, Keilani Ko get first win

Keilani Ko anglers pose with their 102.20-lb marlin caught last Saturday during the 32nd Saipan International Fishing Tournament. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Padre De Familia and Keilani Ko recorded their first major victories in the annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament as they won the grand prize and total weight categories, respectively, in the 32nd edition of the Saipan Fishermen Association-organized competition held over the weekend.

Padre De Familia’s 137.40-lb marlin caught last Saturday was unbeaten as the tournament wrapped up last Sunday, giving the Calistro Reyes-captained boat its first grand prize in the annual event. Last year, Padre De Familia came up empty in all categories, while in 2014, it only finished third in the skipjack division. The boat’s previous first place finish came in 2006 when Reyes and his crewmembers topped the wahoo category.

For their feat, Calistro and his anglers James and Abraham Reyes received the perpetual and grand prize trophies during the event’s awards banquet last Monday at The Magellan of Pacific Islands Club.

Keilani Ko also went home with a trophy and other prizes after its catch in the two-day event totaled 128.97lbs. Included on Keilani Ko’s catch was a 102.20-lb marlin it turned in on Day 1 of the competition. Keilani Ko is captained by Frank Reyes, while Brian Reyes, Frank Mizutani, and Dwayne Muna are the anglers.

Meanwhile, with Padre De Familia taking the grand prize, Cabo Express moved up to first place in the billfish category. The Heinz Hofschneider-skippered boat landed a 117.50-lb marlin last Sunday to place second overall behind Padre De Familia. Joining Cabo Express in the Top 3 in the bill fish division were Rosemary (110.65lbs) of captain Tom Aguon and Jun Azarcon’s K Fisher (109lbs).

In the yellowfin category, My Lady Gora’s 51.20lbs landed at first place, while Don Pedro (50.95lbs) and Fiona (50.30lbs) placed second and third, respectively.

In the wahoo division, captains Bob and George Taguchi of Marlin Chasers prevailed over Luka Ben and Team Q. The Taguchis caught a 31.10-lb wahoo to beat the 28.10lbs and 26.90lbs of Luka Ben and Team Q.

In the mahi field, Sweet Candy’s 19.40lbs won over the 3.45lbs of Flame of Love and 2.85lbs of Relax. In the skipjack category, there was a close fight for first place with Carmelita II’s 14.30lbs edging the 14.15lbs of My Lady Gora. San Juan 1’s 12.50lbs rounded out the Top 3.