Anglers from Rota, Saipan and Guam set out along the cliff sides of As Matmos, Malilok & Pona Point beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday for a weekend of fishing.
Joey Padilla landed a 12.54 lb. jobfish to secure the $800 first place prize in the Biggest Fish category. Reynaldo Doromol also had reason to celebrate as he reeled in the second greatest gill breather, a 9.77 lb. barracuda, to secure his $600, while Redentor Devilla pocketed $400 and third place with his hooked 8.96 lb. green jobfish.
In the Total Weight category, Manuel Cabrera landed first place and $500 cash with the heaviest combined catch of the day, 35.86 lbs. of fish. Olen Jacob celebrated his $300 for taking second place with a total weight catch of 31.11 lbs., followed by $200 winner Masueto Nava in third with a total catch weighing in at 24.46 lbs.
Nava wasn’t finished collecting prizes yet, as his assortment of 30 species of fish also won him the $500 prize for first place in the Most Variety category. Rio Cayetano was able to secure second place with 26 different fish species to snag the $300, while Mario Aspacio took home $200 for third place.
“The Rota Cliff Fishing Derby is intended to lure more visitors to the island, and we’re pleased to see a stirring of interest with inquiries from cliff fishing enthusiasts,” said MVA Community Programs Manager Martin Duenas. “We’ll be making a cost-benefit analysis of this year’s event to see the feasibility of holding the event again.”
Following the weekend’s fish fest, Chairman George Hocog of the 13th Rota Municipal Council and Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola welcomed participants to an awards banquet where they thanked all sponsors and supporters, including Department of Public Safety-Traffic & Boating, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Division of Fish and Wildlife.
During the banquet, the winners were awarded their laurels, and everyone had their fill of fish.
