CARMELITA II has once again ruled a Tasi To Table event by bringing in the heaviest catch in the Student Mini-Derby Saturday at Smiling Cove Marina.
Captain Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, along with reliable anglers Jeremy Koshiro and Reynaldo “Balong” Fiel, snagged a 28.4-pound Wahoo to win first prize.
In second place was Homegrown whose captain is Benny Gonzales. He and his crew were also recognized during the awarding ceremony for making the time to come out from Tinian to Saipan to support TTT and the youth. They caught a 19.2-pound Wahoo.
In third place was Talladega led by Captain Albert “Bubba” Flores who caught a14-pound Wahoo followed by fourth place Lorraine led by Captain Cecilio Raiukiulipiy who caught a 9.1-pound Wahoo.
Eleven boats and 27 students from Saipan entered the derby. The other boats that competed were Bella (Judge Perry Inos), Botin Saba (James Roberto), Mako (Jeffro Elliot), Orion (Fonz), Reel Nasty (Vince Tudela), Salty Bandits (Masaki Kitami) and Y-Not (Alex Castro Jr.).
The TTT Student Mini-Derby is an event held at the end of the school year for TTT’s second-year students. The students were taken out to the water by volunteering boat captains to experience trolling. The Mini-Derby for Tinian and Rota Students was held on June 11.
Originally, the event was for the Saipan, Tinian, and Rota students of SY 2021-2022, but it had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the mini-derby, the winning boats received gift cards from business establishments as well as hats, coolers and other items from the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
In addition, students and the boat captains ended the day with demonstrations on how to filet a fish.
Boat Captain Albert “Bubba” Flores teaches students how to filet a fish during the Tasi To Table Student Mini-Derby Saturday at Smiling Cove Marina.
