Previous Story
Xerxes Camacho tops Cliff Fishing Derby
Xerxes Camacho, right, poses with his brother Joey after competing in the Rota Cliff Fishing Derby last July 4 at Matmos Cliff. (Contributed Photo)
A week before the 37th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament unfurled on Saipan, a more perilous form of catching the bounty of sea was underway on Rota.
From July 2 to 4, the island’s most daring of fisherfolk ventured to Matmos Cliff to take part in the Rota Cliff Fishing Derby. In the end, Xerxes Camacho won the three-day derby with a 59-inch whooper to top the biggest category.
“It feels great winning the derby especially because my brother, Junior, was the defending champion so he was my biggest competitor and it’s always been fun when we’re outdoors enjoying what nature has to offer and provide,” Camacho told Saipan Tribune.
He also won the most variety with seven species of fish and was runner-up to Tilford Toves in the most weight with his 27.44 lbs. Toves topped the most weight with his catch totaling 36.22 lbs. Camacho’s older brother came in third in most weight at 26.16 lbs. Toves came in second in biggest fish at 58.1 inches, while Joey was third again at 56.5 inches.
For their troubles, Xerxes Camacho won $300, Toves $250, and Joey “Junior” Camacho $100. They were given the prizemoney during the Rota Cliff Fishing Derby awards ceremony at the Tun Kindo Baseball Field last July 4.
Xerxes said the sport of cliff fishing is not for the faint of heart and they do take precautions before venturing to the cliff line to cast their reels.
“This cliff where the derby was held is pretty much dangerous and according to the boys, they really got hammered Friday night by the rain and the waves,” said Xerxes and Joey’s father, Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho.
The Rota Cliff Fishing Derby was organized by the 18th Rota Municipal Council, who congratulated all the winners and all the participants of the three-day tournament.
