THE winner of the Wahoo in the Marianas Fishing Derby on March 8 will take home the $2,000 grand prize.
The registration fee is $200 per boat, which includes a captain and two anglers. Additional anglers may join for $30 each.
According to Tasi to Table, the tournament organizer, participating boats must check in at Smiling Cove Marina. The derby runs from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. All boats must be inspected by tournament officials prior to departure from the launching ramp.
The tip of participating boats must pass Smiling Cove Marina’s navigational light before 5 p.m. in order to qualify for weigh-ins. Shooting, harpooning or lancing of a fish will disqualify it from weigh-ins.
Prizes are $2,000 for heaviest wahoo, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place. A prize of $500 is available for the boat that brings the heaviest total weight of catch.
Joannie Reyes, Tasi to Table advisor at Da’ok Academy, said the derby is completely organized and run by students from Saipan Southern High School, Da’ok, Kagman High School, and Marianas High School.
“This is the sixth year TTT will be hosting this derby,” she said. “Each year it gets more and more exciting. It’s overwhelming at first but worth every second. To see our members praised for their hard work is always appreciated and rewarding.”
Reyes said the derby’s overall chair is Peyton Basa from MHS and the co-chair is Daniel Taisakan from Da’ok Academy.
“Every student has a responsibility,” Reyes said of the high school students running the tournament.
She said Da’ok Academy is responsible for marketing, public relations, tables, tents, and trash trailers, among other tasks. MHS handles registration and meals for volunteers, while KHS manages trophies and records catch information during the event. SSHS oversees the raffle and the fish weighing process.
Proceeds from the derby will support Tasi to Table’s youth programs.
To register, contact (670) 789-2539 or email tasitotable@gmail.com/. Tasi to Table’s Instagram account is @tasitotable/.
