Cabo Express is repeat champ

Cabo Express hoisted the perpetual grand prize trophy in the Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament for the second straight year after topping the 24th edition of the Saipan Fishermen Association-led event over the weekend.

The Rep. Heinz Hofshneider-captained Cabo Express had its name engraved again in the five-foot high trophy after recording the heaviest catch in the two-day event, landing a 484-lb. marlin last Saturday during Day 1 of the competition.

Last year, Cabo Express won the grand prize after hauling a 288.50-lb. marlin, also on the first day of the 23rd edition of the annual event.

The lawmaker was joined by Cabo Express anglers Luis Manibusan, Patrick Diaz, John Castro, and brother Conrad in claiming the grand prize trophy during the awards banquet held in the pool side of the Hyatt Hotel Monday night.

Cabo Express also took home the $2,500 top purse and an additional $900, which came from nine teams that paid $100 each for the heaviest catch contest.

Flashing the No. 2 sign, the crew of Cabo Express vowed for a three-peat.

“We will go for the No. 3,” said Hofsneider, making an early challenge to interested participants next year.

Fifty-two boats joined the 2008 edition of one of the biggest annual tournaments in the SFA calendar.

In the total weight category, Carmelita of Judge Alex Castro won with its total catch of 259.15 lbs., including a 44.75-lb. wahoo.

Judge Castro and his anglers Patrick Ulechong, Alex Castro, Jr., and Jerry Babauta received $1,000 and the Mobil Cup trophy.

Carmelita, which was named after the judge’s grand daughter, had the second heaviest catch after MV Gloria II’s 52.85-lb. wahoo.

MV Gloria II’ s catch was a record one, beating the 49.5-lb. wahoo caught in a tournament here three years ago.

MV Gloria II, which pocketed $1,000 for its record-breaking catch, was skippered by John T. Sablan. The MV Gloria II captain and anglers George Teregeyo, Ray Guerrero, Ton Diaz, Ray Renguul, Warren Villagomez, L.J. Guerrero, and Joe Flores also took home a specially crafted wooden trophy.

The Top 3 placers in the wahoo, billfish, yellow fin, mahi-mahi and skipjack categories all received trophies and cash prizes.

Flame of Love of captain Keith Joe Torres finished third in the wahoo category with its 30.5-lb. catch.

Chacha II of captain Stan Waki and crew Greg Perez and Norman Tenorio won the billfish division. Chacha II’s catch tipped the scale at 277.5 lbs.

CM-345-CP’s 265-lb. catch was the second heaviest in the billfish category, while I Familia’s 226.5-pounder was ranked third. Abet Parit and Jesus Sablan are the captains of CM-345-CP and I Familia, respectively.

The Marianas of captain Jesse Muna topped the yellow fin category with its 49.10-lb. catch. Joining Muna in receiving the champion trophy from tournament organizers were crewmembers Sidro Sablan and Jesse Muna.

Saint Jude (48.5 lbs.) of captain Bob Sasamoto and San Juan (43 lbs.) of Jesus Sablan finished second and third, respectively.

The championship trophy in the mahi-mahi category went to Emmanuel, which was captained by Mike James of Guam. James and his lone crew member, John Hattig, had a 19.15-lb. catch, beating Skip Jack (6.80 lbs.) of Jim Bagley and J.P. of John Guerrero.

Captain Steve Pixley and crewmembers Ben Laborte, Jim Hollman, and Ron Biggeo of Zeppelin landed the heaviest catch in the skipjack category with 21.65 lbs.

DJ Fish Mobile’s 20.40-lb. catch was good for second place, while Saina recorded a 20.15-pound catch to rank third in the skipjack category.

SFA president Gene Weaver thanked all participants and sponsors for making the event possible. He also encouraged NMI anglers to join the 14th Guam International Fishing Tournament on Aug. 23 and 24. [B][I](Roselyn B. Monroyo)[/I][/B]