SALTY Bandits 2 hauled in the biggest catch — weighing 21.1 lbs — on Saturday to win the 18th Annual Mahi Mahi Fishing Derby.
Salty Bandits 2’s Austin Benavente and Joey Tudela pose with their 21.1-pound mahi mahi which won the top prize in the 18th Annual Mahi Mahi Fishing Derby at Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
Forty-four boats registered for the event with the Saipan Fishermen’s Association doubling the top five prize amounts amid the recent fuel price hikes.
Salty Bandits 2’s Captain Austin Benavente led his anglers Ken Salas and Joey Tudela to the neighboring island of Tinian where “it took about five minutes using a milky white skirt” to catch the winning mahi mahi, Benavente said.
SFA Solicitation Committee Chair Curtis Dancoe mentioned that a while back, the Salty Bandits crew brought in a marlin and after weighing it, they started cutting up the fish and giving away portions to the public.
“Talk about karma, which plays a significant role in fishing: when you give, you get,” Dancoe said.
Salty Bandits 2 went home with the first place trophy and $2,000 prize.
In second place was Sweet Candy captained by George Moses whose anglers are Mike Kukun, Peter Moses, Brien Moses and Nick Muna. They brought in a 19.2-pound mahi mahi to claim the $1,500 prize.
In third place was J3RM captained by Manuel Mogar with anglers Lorenz and Joeed Quemado. Their 18.1-pound catch bagged the $1,000 prize.
The fourth-place winner was Guguan who was manned by just one person, Captain Keith Torres. He caught a 17.8-pound mahi mahi using a handline and live squid bait. He received a $300 gift certificate from Fishing Tackle.
In fifth place was SESA captained by Steve Reyes with angler Kevin Diaz. For their 17.1-pound catch, they received a $100 gift certificate from Fishing Tackle.
As for the side bet, it was claimed by Salty Bandits 3 which is captained by Guy Macaranas with anglers Angelo Tudela, Keith Fernandez and Angie Ayuyu.
They hauled in a 30.1-pound wahoo to win a total of $1,850 in cash.
Asked where they caught the wahoo, Fernandez stated, “The first place I ever thought of going — Marine Beach.”
