SFA elated on return of 2-day international fishing tourney

Robalo captain Ivan Ilmov and deckhand Christbino Rapugpai pose with their record-breaking 125.5-lb yellowfin tuna in last year’s 38th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament at the Smiling Cove Marina.(SFA) 

The Saipan Fishermen’s Association is ecstatic that after COVID-19 canceled or shortened their signature event the past two years, this year’s 39th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament is back to its old two-day schedule. 

SFA president Tony Scragg said their organization is excited to host more than 80 boats—mostly from Saipan and about 10 from neighboring Guam—this Saturday and Sunday from the Smiling Cove Marina.

“We’re very happy that we’ve gotten over the COVID-19 hump. Last year was  just a one-day tournament. This year we are going back to our normal two-day tournament. So it’s gonna be back to normal. For two days, we’ll have two full days of fishing!”

Scragg said he’s also pretty thankful to his fisherman brothers from Guam that a bunch of them are steaming to the CNMI this weekend to partake of the event despite the U.S. territory still fresh from the devastation of Typhoon Mawar.

“Even though they just went through a pretty devastating typhoon we talked to some of the guys over there and they’re still keen on coming up. Their boats are okay.”

The SFA will award prizes for first to third place in each of five game fish categories: Billfish, yellowfin, wahoo, mahi mahi, and skipjack. Prizes will also be awarded for total weight and grand prize for the biggest marlin.

The tournament registration cost is $150 per boat, inclusive of a captain and one crewmember. Each additional angler is $35.

Pre-registration will be held at Smiling Cove Marina on Friday, July 21, from 4pm to 6pm, where SFA will provide a tournament briefing. The tournament will begin at 6am and end at 6pm on July 22 and July 23.

The SFA will host an awards ceremony on Monday, July 24, at 6pm at Kensington Hotel Saipan. Non-tournament participants may attend for $35 per person.

The SFA will produce a souvenir tournament program booklet, to be provided to all participating captains. Tournament entry forms, rules, and schedule of events are now at the Marianas Visitors Authority office on Beach Road in Garapan and at Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods on Beach Road, Susupe, Saipan.

“We look forward to the boaters and their crews’ participation in the 39th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament this weekend. We have good prizes in store for them and we’re expecting good weather. Good luck to all participants and we want them to have a fun weekend fishing,” said Scragg. 

Last year, captain Ivan Ilmov and the crew of Robalo set a new record for heaviest yellowfin tuna after reeling in a 125.5-pounder in the  38th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament.

Caught near Banzai Cliff after a close to 45-minute struggle, the prized yellowfin was caught by Ilmov and his seven-man crew made up of Christbino Rapugpai, Albert Emananpiy, Jeff Morgexa, Jordan Tagabuel, Henry Maliuwelau, Mano Piyalal, and Walter Paulus.

Due to high gas prices, last year’s edition of the premiere event  of the Saipan Fishermen’s Association was reduced to one day and Ilmov and company made the most of it.

For more information about the 39th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament, contact MVA Community Projects specialist Ray Villagomez at (670) 664-3200 or email rvillagomez@mymarianas.com.