THE captains and crewmembers of 17 boats were honored during an awards banquet at Aqua Resort for their hard work in the two-day 37th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament.
The grand prize winner was Da’Net. Its captain, John Hattig, and angler Frank Benavente hauled in a 358 lbs billfish for which they received the perpetual trophy and $3,000.
Hattig was asked by Saipan Fisherman Association’s Curtis Dancoe: Where did they catch the winning fish?
“I was down at Esmeralda [Bank] and came out and there was a pinnacle so we went around it. About two miles out, we hit [the fish] and it stayed down. It gave us one hell of a fight. We kept reeling it in and took more line out. My deckhand and I were sweating bullets. I said to my deckhand, ‘Just hang in there boy, we can do this. I’ve been through this!’ ”
For its victory, Da’Net will also get free admission to the Shut Up & Fish Tournament that will be held on Guam.
Da’Net likewise won a side bet amounting to $5,300.
“It was one nice tournament you guys put together and we are always looking to come back every year,” Hattig said.
Billfish
In the billfish category, Defiance captained by Rufin Inos Jr. with crewmembers Tero Takai, Vince Inos, Asap Ogumoro and Jack Salas claimed the first place trophy with a catch weighing 327 lbs. They also received a $2,000 cash prize.
Defiance went out later than the rest of the competition, at around 10 a.m., and returned to the shore some three hours later with the first place catch.
In second place was the boat Bella captained by Perry B. Inos. Its crewmembers are Dixie Camacho, Johanna Inos, Perry Inos, Debra Inos and Anastasia Inos. They brought in a 260 lbs catch for which they received a $1,500 cash prize.
Finishing third was V Marine of Captain Ben Blas and crewmembers Jack Namauleg, Juan Taitaino, Mario Valentino, Bob Jones, Sean Ficke, Pilar Jones, Pastor Gary Walton and Jose Terlaje. For catching a 195.7 lbs billfish, they received a $1,000 cash prize.
Yellow Fin
In the Yellow Fin category, Cecelio & Kapono brought in a 67 lbs tuna to win the $1,000 first prize. Gary Sword is the boat’s captain and the crewmembers are Ivan Blanco Sr., Ivan Blanco Jr., Ralph Yumul, and David Atalig.
“I want to thank the SFA first of all, the amazing people who put a lot of time and talent for free,” Sword said. “I would like to thank DPS Boating Safety as well. We are the most unlikely group because none of us own a boat,” he added in jest.
About 15 minutes after leaving the shore at 8 a.m. on Sunday, he said they hooked their first catch, a Mahi Mahi. Their prize catch came in two hours later. “Why did it take so long to bring in an over 60 lbs yellow fin? We didn’t know what we were doing — but we had fun.”
In second place was the MV Kiddo led by Tak Nakazato with crewmembers Courtney Nakazato, Koniko Nakazato and Jowel A. Naputi. They brought in a 58 lbs catch for which they received $750.
SESA’s Captain Steve Reyes and crewmembers Kevin Diaz, and Jesse Borja settled for the $500 third prize for their 50 lbs catch.
Wahoo
In the Wahoo category, Captain Manuel Mogar and angler Lawrence Pantola of J&MJ bagged the $1,000 first prize after reeling in a 32.2 lbs catch.
St. Christopher of Captain Juan O. Barcinas and crewmembers Robert Sasamoto and Antonio Muna took home the $750 second prize for catching a 25.8 lbs Wahoo while Rosemary of Captain Tom Aguon and angler Gene Bolton received the $500 third prize for their 24.7 lbs catch.
Mahi Mahi
In the Mahi Mahi category, Captain PJ Aldan and crewmembers Phill Aldan, Ben Fitipol, Ricky George, Ray Dela Cruz and Kiko Togawa of the boat Regulator hauled in a 24.7 pounder to secure the $1,000 first prize.
Salty Bandits of Captain Masaki Kitami and crewmembers Kalama Fernandez and Joey Tudela, claimed the $500 second prize for a 9 lbs Mahi Mahi while Catmandu’s Michael Snell II, Michael Snell IIII, Latrell Snell and Lorenz Snell took the $500 third prize for their 7.5 lbs catch.
Skipjack
The Skipjack category was topped by Santa Soledad whose Captain Melchor Lerum and angler Joel Jeminez hauled in a 9.4 pounder to win the $750 first prize.
Max Morag and James Rayphand of boat Handliner was an ounce shy with their 9.3 lbs catch for which they received the $500 second prize.
Tony Tenorio with crewmembers Jennifer Tkel and Jesse Tenorio of the boat Tony Tenorio earned $250 for placing third with their 8.7 lbs catch.
In the total weight category, Villia Marie of Captain Victor Hocog and crewmembers Val Hocog, Ray Yumul, Jordan Ogo and Daniel Yusuf brought in a total of 305 lbs of fish, including three marlins, and received a $2,000 cash prize.
The Santa Soledad crewmembers pose with the Skipjack trophy.
The Regulator crewmembers pose with the Mahi Mahi trophy.
The J&MJ crewmembers with the Wahoo trophy.
The crewmembers of Cecelio & Kapono pose with the Yellow Fin trophy.
The crewmembers of Defiance pose with the Billfish trophy.
Da’Net’s John Hattig and Frank Benavente carry the perpetual trophy after topping the 37th Saipan International Fishing Tournament.
