CAPTAIN Mark Reyes and crewmate Takede Nakazato of Santa Soledad earned the spotlight during the inaugural Tasi to Table Tuna Mix Classic on Saturday after hauling in 144.2 pounds of fish to win first prize.
The competition began at 6 a.m., and most of the boats started making their way back to shore late in the afternoon to beat the 5 p.m. deadline.
Among the 35 participating boats, all eyes were on Santa Soledad as Captain Mark Reyes returned to shore around 4:20 p.m. with a 42.6-pound yellow fin tuna paired with a billfish weighing 101.6lbs.
Crewmate Takede Nakazato received the first-place trophy along with the $3,000 cash prize.
The veteran fisherman said they caught the yellow fin tuna west of the Marpi reef by using an electric reel.
He said the fish put up a fight for three minutes only. “The whole time I thought it was a marlin,” he added. “But as my partner was pulling the line and saw it was a tuna I then thought that it was the winning catch.”
Nakazato, 55, has been fishing for well over 30 years and enjoys participating in any type of fishing tournament. “I’m dedicating this victory to all our fellow fishermen,” he added.
Santa Soledad also won a side bet for catching the largest tuna.
Second place
Lorraine came in second with a 144.1-pound catch. After reeling in a skipjack that weighed 1.1 lbs only, Captain Cecilio Raiukiulipiy with crewmates Ernesto Rangamar and Herb Sablan hauled in a huge billfish that weighed 143 lbs to secure the $2,000 prize.
In third place was Sex Sea captained by Abraham Quitugua whose crewmates were Patrick Deleon Guerrero and Gloria Hocog. They hauled in a skipjack weighing 4.8 lbs paired with a 115.6 lbs marlin for a total of 120.4 lbs — good enough for the $1,000 third prize.
In fourth place was Y-Knot TTT captained by Alex Castro. His crewmates were Derik Reyes Jr., Ricky George, Khalia Castro and Dan Wollak. They brought in a 0.7 lb skip jack and a 104 lbs marlin for a total of 104.7 lbs.
J&MJ’s Manuel Mogar and Lawrence Pantola took fifth place with a 7.6 lbs skipjack and a 81.7lbs marlin for a total of 81.7 lbs.
Proud sponsor
Bank of Saipan president John Arroyo said they were proud to be the main sponsor of such a successful event.
“It was a great event. Everyone had fun and I think it’s great for the island — we should continue to do these things,” Arroyo said. “We will be the main sponsor next year as well. You know, we are really proud to do this especially for the reason behind these events: teaching life skills and conservation to kids. We are happy to be here and very proud to be part of this team.”
Tasi To Table president Gene Weaver noted that there were two other big events happening on Saturday: the HANMI golf tournament and the Beef, Beer & Band Festival on Tinian.
“But we’re more than satisfied with the turnout for the Tuna Mix Classic,” he said. “The turnout was great. I’m satisfied and happy.”
Weaver said TTT plans to hold more events on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
He said TTT would also like to recognize the other sponsors of Tuna Mix Classic: Pacific Trading Company, 4EVER CNMI, Roil Soil Clothing, IT&E, Herman’s Modern Bakery, GR Construction, Pacific Auto, Universal Rentals, Fishing Tackle and Sporting Goods, American Memorial Park, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Safety-Boating Safety Division, Smiling Cove Marina, Rep. Leila Staffler and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Santa Soledad Captain Mark Reyes smiles as he holds the winning 42.6lb tuna in the Tasi To Table Tuna Mix Classic at the Smiling Cove Marina on Saturday.
Santa Soledad crewmembers display their ceremonial check for $3,000 as they pose for a photo with Tasi To Table vice president Wayne Pangelinan, president Gene Weaver, Bank of Saipan president John Arroyo and TTT’s Normie Faura.
