The crewmembers of Ten-Seven pose with their winning mahi and Saipan Fishermen Association officials at the conclusion of the 20th Mahi Mahi Fishing Derby at the Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
The crewmembers of Betty Ann pose with their wahoo side bet winnings at the conclusion of the 20th Mahi Mahi Fishing Derby at the Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
TEN-SEVEN, captained by Keith Torres, successfully defended their title for the second consecutive time by hauling in a mahi-mahi weighing 26.4 pounds in the Saipan Fishermen’s Association 20th Annual Mahi Mahi Derby on Saturday afternoon.
Ten-Seven claimed the $2,500 cash prize along with a $300 gift certificate from Fishing Tackle.
Torres said the day was “super hot, especially because we’re the only boat that doesn’t have a roof.”
“The plan was, if a teammate ‘atan baba’ me [gave me a dirty look], we’re going to turn back,” he added in jest.
Heading back from Obyan at around 12 noon, the crew found their catch and used a gaff to haul it in. “We’re very lucky,” Torres said, adding that a mahi-mahi is easier to catch during the season unlike a marlin.
Although the derby was postponed several times, Torres was grateful to SFA. “I know these guys work very hard, and we want to thank them despite the delays — everyone still got to join and return home safely.”
In second place was Jesse Tenorio, captain of Gabby Jo, with a 23.1lb catch worth $1,500.
The Marcelino Tresesnio brought home $1,000 by coming in third with a catch weighing 21.1lbs.
Mama Loling and Captain Cecelio Raiukiulipiy placed fourth with a catch weighing 19.5lbs to win $200 worth of gift certificates from Fishing Tackle and a pelican case.
Finishing fifth was Peskadufus with a catch weighing 18.2lbs, which was worth $100 of gift certificates from Fishing Tackle and a pelican case.
The Betty Ann did not catch a mahi-mahi but claimed the wahoo side bet with 39 boats participating and the pot prize nearly matching the amount of the grand prize. The winning wahoo weighed 31.6lbs.
SFA Chairman Curtis Dancoe said 47 boats entered the derby, including a couple from Tinian. “Everyone had a good time. It’s the first derby of the year so they were able to test their gear and equipment,” he said. “Nobody likes a delay, but it gave some fishermen time to cut their lawn. We had two-foot wind waves with a lot of chop, but the weather still gave fishermen some break.”
On June 15, a day before Father’s Day, SFA will host its first-ever Fisherman Swap Meet from 6 a.m. to noon at the south end of the Garapan Pubic Market.
“This event is for fishermen to clean out their storage. For mariners to trade, buy, swap. We try to keep our ears close to the fishing community,” Dancoe said.
SFA would also like to recognize the support of DFW, Budweiser, DPS, Fishing Tackle as well as the peskadots.
