MV Gloria II, captained by John T. Sablan, won the $2,000 first prize after reeling in a 29.2-pound wahoo in the Tasi To Table 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas event Saturday at Smiling Cove Marina.
Sablan showcased his 50-year fishing experience with his crew: John Sablan Jr., Manny Sablan, Jose Tenorio Quan, Eric Kani and John B. Sablan.
They ended up in the right location where they caught the prized fish, along with three other wahoos and two mahimahis.
“It’s one of those days when your luck is there,” John T. Sablan said.
He added that the 29.2-pound wahoo gave a good 15-minute fight before it was reeled in at around 11:30 a.m.
Asked what reel was used, John T. Sablan said, “It was a plastic blue and pink lure — a favorite of the wahoo.”
But this is not all about luck as he also holds the current record which he set in the International Fishing Derby in 2008 when he caught a wahoo weighing 54 lbs.
He said it’s all about finding the right location.
He started fishing at the age of 12 and has been sailing the MV Gloria for 32 years now.
Other winners
In second place were the Salty Bandits: Captain Masaki Kitami and crewmembers Kalama Fernandez, and Austin Benavente.
The defending champions caught a wahoo that weighed at 25.5 lbs which was good enough for the second prize of $1,500.
In third place was Y-Knot of Captain Alexandro Castro Sr. and crewmembers Alex Castro Jr, Carmelita Castro and Ricky George. They caught a wahoo weighing at 27.7 lbs and took home $1,000.
Joining the podium finish was Marlyn captained by Jesse C. Taitano. He and his crewmember Jesseboy Taitano caught a 61.1 lbs non-qualifying wahoo.
As always, there was a side bet amounting to $1,500 and it was claimed by Mako Pacific which caught the heaviest mahi at 24.4 lbs. The boat captain is Kiku Hapdei and his crewmember is Vicente Masga.
Student-run
The Wahoo in the Marianas is one of TTT’s main yearly fishing events. It is a student-run fishing derby. Students solicited in-kind donations, and helped with the designs of the marketing and promotional materials for the event, including flyers, volunteer shirts, hoodie rash guards for fishermen and trophies.
They also went on the radio to promote the event, and processed registration forms and payments.
On the day of the derby, the students helped get the fish off of the boats so they could be weighed.
The students likewise assisted with the event photography which was overseen by event co-chairs Nathan Bauleong from Da’ok Academy and Leilani Attao of Marianas High School.
Sponsors
TTT would like to thank the main event sponsors IT&E and Mobil, along with Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods, Marpac, KKMP, UR Tent Rentals, HBR International Inc., Roil Soil, Herman’s Bakery, Kensington Hotel Saipan, 360 Revolving Restaurant, Caravan of Food, Coffee Stop, Latte Built Fitness, YCO Hardware True Value, Gold’s Gym, Garapan Public Market, Hyatt Regency Saipan, 3M Saipan-Crystal Ecology, Micronesian Brokers Inc., PHI Pharmacy, Joeten Motors, Aquasmith Friendly Market, Coconut Tei, Relox Bar, Blossoms/J’s Restaurant, Island Image and Motion, the office of Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, the Saipan Mayor’s Office, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Fish and Wildlife, DPS Boating Safety, Friends of the Marianas Trench, American Memorial Park, and Mariana Islands Nature Alliance.
MV Gloria II Captain John T. Sablan, 2nd left, and crew pose with their winning catches during the TTT Wahoo in the Marianas Fishing Derby at Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
