CAPTAIN Edward C. Sablan and the crew of Inaka stole the spotlight in the I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association’s 6th Annual Mafuti Derby with one of the biggest recorded catches, weighing 8.25 pounds, to win first place in the biggest catch category on Saturday.
It was a great day for fishing as several hefty mafutis (snapper fish) were brought back to shore by the 44 participating boats.
Inaka’s 8.25-pound catch won first prize.
In second place was 4Reel led by Captain Gregory Camacho with a catch weighing 4.7 pounds, followed by Sunriser led by Tom Tudela with 3.6 pounds, Nibbler led by Edward Diaz with 3.5 pounds, and Carmen Santiago led by Martin Camacho with 3.35 pounds.
In the total weight category, participating fishermen must catch three fish of the emperor species. Team RJ, captained by George Moses, was adjudged the winner with a catch that weighed a total of 5.7 pounds.
Sharing the podium finish was the winner of the side bet, TKK2, captained by Miek Sablan. Focused on the tarakitu (skipjack), the crew reeled in a fish weighing 8.55 pounds to collect the $360 cash prize.
ISLA President Keith Kintol said this year’s haul was “impressive.”
“For me, it was actually the biggest fish that I saw,” board member Dave Guerrero said, referring to the prize-wining fish.
Kintol and Guerrero at the same time commended their group’s “founding fathers” who led the way, among them Mike “Palaksi” Sablan. They also thanked the other officers, committee members and volunteers.
“We are at our 6th annual, and that’s big,” Kintol said. “We’re definitely going to have our 7th next year around the same time, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
ISLA recognized Naked Fish, Pokiyaki and other small businesses as well as major sponsors that include Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Bridge Capital, TurnKey Solutions and Triple J.
“We have all these guys trusting us and have continued their support for this event,” Kintol said. “For the new businesses out there, we would love the opportunity to expose your business. This is a way to have an outlet for your business and we would be very honored to do so,” he added.
Edward C. Sablan, right, and the crew of Inaka pose for a photo with their winning catch in the I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association’s 6th Annual Mafuti Derby at Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
An angler of Inaka poses with an 8.25-pound mafuti they caught during the I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association’s 6th Annual Mafuti Derby on Saturday.
George Moses and Team RJ pose with the total weight trophy alongside ISLA members at the conclusion of the I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association’s 6th Annual Mafuti Derby at Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
