Supreme Court Associate Judge Alex Castro Sr. and crewmen Alex Castro Jr., Rufino Inos and Jervy Babauta of the “Carmelita” reeled in a 30.30 lb. mahi to top the event, improving the boat’s second place finish last year.
The elder Castro and his crew grappled with the monster mahi for 45 minutes before finally reeling it in and returning to Smiling Cove Marina, confident they had the day’s prize catch.
The “Carmelita” pulled away with a $1,000 prize after beating second-ranked boat “Gizelle,” which reeled in a mahi weighing 26.40 lbs. Skipper Ig Sang Kwon and anglers Henry Hofschneider and Frank Diaz pocketed $600. This year’s top catch also bested last year’s winning mahi weight of 25.40 lbs.
The “San Juan III,” with skipper Antonio Maestro and lone crewman John San Nicolas, weighed in a 25.40-lb. fish, putting them in third place with $400. In fourth place was vessel “Nikita Ann,” which lured in a 22.80 lb. mahi for skipper Jess Taitano and anglers Merylyn Taitano and Jess Taitano Jr. The team went home with $300.
Landing in fifth place was “The Marianas,” skippered by Jess Muna with anglers Isidro Sablan and Pete Guerrero. Their 21.25 lb. mahi earned them $200.
“We would like to give a special thank you to our sponsors and supporters: Pacific Trading Company, Pepsi, Monster, Gatorade, Advance Pest Control and Air Conditioning, NTT Docomo Pacific, U.S. National Parks Service, Department of Public Safety (Boating Section), Division of Fish and Wildlife, Smiling Cove Marina, Triple J Wholesale and Shell Marianas for making the event possible,” said event chairman John D. Guerrero of the Saipan Fishermen’s Association.
“A special thank you to all the participants and volunteers.”
The SFA will host the 27th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament on July 23 and 24. For more information, contact Marianas Visitors Authority’s Frank Tudela at 1-670-664-3200/01 or [email protected].
