Nibbler captain Ed Diaz and his son, Edwardo Jr., look on as they weigh their catch in the biggest catch category of the 5th Annual Mafuti Derby of the I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers or ISLA Association at Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
THE Nibbler, captained by Ed Diaz, triumphed in the biggest catch and total weight categories of the I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association’s 5th Annual Mafuti Derby on Saturday at Smiling Cove Marina.
The Nibbler’s crewmembers are Diaz’s son Edwardo Jr., and father-in-law Mike Fleming.
The Nibbler also topped the 2018, 2019 and 2021 events. This year, it hauled in several mafuti fish to win both categories of the derby.
Their biggest catch came early in the day. After setting out to the lagoon at 6 a.m., it took the Nibbler two hours before reeling in the prize-winning fish that weighed 3.9 pounds.
“The weather was really calm this morning,” Diaz said. “Not sure if it was the same story as my previous catches, but after putting the rod down to help my son, the line was being pulled and we reeled it in.”
Their haul started to get heavier later in the afternoon, which eventually led to their winning the total weight category with 8.7 pounds.
“I’m pretty happy,” Diaz said. “I needed it. But this is a sport with kids, so I always bring my son to train him. We’ve been doing this for years now.”
When asked where he caught most of the fish, he said, in jest: “It was in the south, and if I tell you more, I’d have to kill you.”
He added, “I hope we can attract more kids to be involved so we can train them.”
In second place for the total weight category was boat Atalig 3 J’s with 8.3 pounds.
Kieth Kintol, ISLA president, said: “The event was great. We were monitoring the weather system to see if it would be favorable because we had youth participants and wanted to make sure they were safe out there. It was nice and calm in the morning and the wind picked up afterward, but it was manageable,” Kintol said, adding that the weather played a factor in the number of fish caught this year.
There were 44 entries, he said. “It is a derby for smaller boats, and it gives them the opportunity to come out and fish.”
Kintol added, “Shoutout to Marianas Variety, [its president] Amier [Younis] and the crew for the continuous support.” He also thanked and commended all the sponsors that helped ensure the success of this year’s event.
