Tasi to Table revels in student-led derby

The crew of the the Marilyn won the total weight category of Tasi To Table’s 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas Fishing Tournament after reeling in 61.1 lbs of fish last Saturday.(MARK RABAGO)

Tasi to Table couldn’t be happier how the 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas turned out and as always attributed the success of the fishing derby to its student-volunteers.

“The 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas was a success. A total of 37 boats went out and 37 boats returned home safely. That’s what it’s all about enjoying the day on the water with friends and family catching fish. Hats off to the students for coordinating yet another successful derby,” said the non-profit’s president Gene Weaver.

He especially praised the coordinating skills of 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas chair Nathan Bauleong of Da’Ok Academy and vice chair Leilani Attao of Marianas High School.

Weaver also praised the fishing derby’s main sponsors IT&E and Mobil Oil Marianas as well as other sponsors, among them, Fishing Tackle and Sporting Goods, MARPAC, KKMP, UR Tent Rentals, HBR International, Inc., Roil Soil (shirt sponsor), Herman’s Bakery (bread sponsors), Island Image and Motion (vent videography and photography), Office of House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) for his Porta Potty donations, and the Saipan Mayor’s Office for providing the trash trailer.

Tasi to Table also extended their kudos to in-kind sponsors of the student raffle, namely Kensington Hotel Saipan, 360 Revolving Restaurant, Caravan of Food, Coffee Stop, Latte Built Fitness, YCO Hardware True Value, Gold’s Gym, Garapan Public Market, Hyatt Regency Saipan, 3M Saipan- Crystal Ecology, Micronesian Brokers, Inc., PHI Pharmacy, Joeten Motors, AQUASMITH, Friendly Market, Coconut Tei, Relox Bar, Blossoms/J’s Restaurant

The 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas also wouldn’t have been possible without the data recording and fish weighing conducted by the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Fish and Wildlife, event safety and law enforcement provided by DPS Boating Safety, and the various organizations who manned the tables at Smiling Cove Marina during derby day, namely Friends of the Marianas Trench, American Memorial Park, and Mariana Islands Nature Alliance.

MV Gloria II, captained by John T. Sablan, topped Tasi To Table’s 4th Annual Wahoo in the Marianas Fishing Tournament last Saturday with a 29.2-lb catch. Defending champion Salty Bandits settled for second this time after landing a 28.5-lb wahoo, while Y-Knot completed the Top 3 with a 27.7-pounder.