STUDENTS of Tasi to Table experienced deep-sea fishing during Saturday’s Mini Derby which was won by the boat Hagu Reel.
Its captain is Christian “Hollywood” Camacho and its crewmembers are Ken Salas, Jess Guerrero, Kina Rangamar of Marianas High School and Landon Atalig of Rota Jr.-Sr. High School. They hauled in a 100lbs marlin to finish first.
The Mini Derby was held from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., but Hagu Reel needed two hours only to reel in the winning catch.
“I was contemplating whether to go south or north,” Captain Camacho said. “After heading north, I was deciding to do a wahoo run but then I was like, ‘Let me try and get a marlin and give the kids a good experience.’ ” stated Captain Camacho.
After passing a buoy the crew had a strike, and then they fought the 100lbs marlin for less than 15 minutes. “Right when it struck, I gave my partner the wheel and started reeling. I asked the kids if they wanted to reel, sure enough I gave them the catch,” Camacho added.
Rota student Landon Atalig said
“the trip was worth it — I got to try reeling in the marlin. It was tough. The fish gave me a hard time.”
It was his first derby but Atalig said he spearfishes occasionally.
As for MHS student Kina Rangamar, it was the biggest fish she had ever seen. “I’m still shocked that we managed to catch that. Originally we decided to catch a wahoo or mahi but they decided to go big or go home and so we went after that marlin.”
Coming in second place for catching a 15.2 lbs wahoo was the boat Sweet Candy led by Captain George Moses. His crewmembers are Mike Kukkun, Inas Lizama Jr., students Cody Dela Cruz and Lorenzo Hocog.
In third place was Roil Soil whose captain is Shayne Villanueva. His crewmembers are Justin Casama, students Alex Limes and Sirlashu Dela Cruz. Their catch was an 11.61 lbs wahoo.
The boat 10-7 finished fourth with a 3.1 lbs skipjack. The vessel’s captain is Alvin Iglecias and the crewmembers are students Austin Guiawen and Tyrel Pascual.
The Salty Bandits of Captain Masaki Kitami came in fifth with a 3.1lbs skipjack. The crewmembers are Keith Fernandez, students Haven Hocog and Zander Atalig.
A total of 30 boats participated in the competition.
This event would not have been possible without the help of the volunteer captains, Tasi to Table president Gene Weaver said, adding that he hopes that all the participating students had a wonderful experience.
The team members of Hagu Reel pose with their 100-pound marlin to take first place in the Mini Derby at Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
The Salty Bandits pose with their skipjacks.
Tasi to Table students haul in their catch off the dock.
