Rose 1 nets mightiest marlin

Juan Tenorio of Rose 1 poses with the grand prize-winning 131.1-lb marlin during the 38th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament last Saturday at the Smiling Cove Marina weigh station. (FLOYD MASGA)

Captain Tony Tenorio and his crew came out smelling like a rose when they reeled in the heaviest marlin of the 38th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament last Saturday.

With Rose 1 winning with their 131.1-lb catch, Tenorio and crew mates Juan Tenorio, Franklin Iguel, Jun Tenorio, Joey Castro, and Norman Tenorio won the Governor’s Cup along with the grand prize bounty of $3,000 courtesy of MarPac and Budweiser.

And their winnings didn’t stop there, as Tony Tenorio and company also won the $6,000 side bet. 

Juan Tenorio, the boat’s senior statesman, said they caught the 131.1-pounder about 4 miles north-east of Saipan.

The captain and crew of Rose 1 receive the Governor’s Cup trophy and prize money for reeling in the heaviest marlin and winning the grand prize of the 38th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament last Saturday. (MARK RABAGO)

“When we first went out there were six boats trying to hook fish from two schools… I told the boys ‘we need to get out of there because we will end up tangling all our lines.’” 

He continued that Rose 1 avoided the traffic and went on its own to one of captain Tony Tenorio’s preferred spots.

“So we got out and we went 30 minutes north-east of Saipan and we waited. From there our captain said ‘put down the big lures.’ We started heading back to Saipan and as soon as we were 3 miles from Saipan I said ‘let’s do this!’”

And that’s when the not-so monster marlin took the bait and the rest was history.

“Marpi Reef…that’s where the fish were at…[it took] 30 minutes [for us to land it] and we caught just using regular lure,” said Tony Tenorio.

Rose 1’s marlin actually was the lone billfish caught in the abbreviated derby as the Saipan Fishermen’s Association decided to reduce the competition to a one-day affair due to high gas prices.

As a prelude to announcing the winner of the grand prize, emcee and SFA board member Curtis Dancoe said the crew of Rose I followed a trend of late boaters winning. 

“Last few derbies boats that have left late placed in several of the categories…This year the same thing happened. This boat was the last to come out and they never entered a fishing derby prior to this year…That’s gonna sting a little and goes to show it’s anybody’s catch,” he said. 

And Tony Tenorio happily agreed.

“I know it’s beginner’s luck…pure luck. We came back around 9:30am to weigh the fish and went out again but we didn’t catch anymore,” he said.

Juan Tenorio also clarified that their crew wasn’t actually late, saying that they were the last to launch because other boats took their sweet time leaving the Smiling Cove Marina.

Tony Tenorio added they will use some of the money to celebrate the win with the elder Tenorio adding that what’s left they will divide among the crew minus expenses.

Saipan Tribune earlier reported that the crew of Robalo won the Paradise Dental Spa-sponsored heaviest yellowfin award after catching a 125.5-lb fish. Results of the heaviest wahoo, heaviest mahi, heaviest skipjack, and total weight category winner will be published in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

In all, 88 boats took part in the 38th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament with about 20 of them steaming from Guam, Rota, and Tinian.