Saba Too tops 3rd TTT Mix Classic

Saba Too was crowned champion of Tasi To Table Inc.’s Mix Classic fishing tournament, as they held their own against 22 other boats in the third edition last Saturday off the waters of the Smiling Cove Marina.

Saba Too reeled in two fish—a marlin that weighed 97.5lbs, and a 46.2-lb yellowfin—for a total weight of 143.7 lbs. The crew pocketed the $3,000 first place prize.

Second place was Triggah Vibez that caught a 116-lb marlin and a 11.7-lb skipjack for a total weight of 127.7 lbs. They netted $2,000 for their efforts.

Saba Too toppled the tourney’s two-time champion Carmelita II, which brought in a 109.1-lb marlin and a 15.5-lb wahoo for a total weight of 124.6 lbs—which was good enough for third place. They went home with $1,000.

The Top 3 were also given handsome trophies, while the crew of Triggah Vibes took home an extra $900 for winning the side bet of the heaviest fish.

Saba Too was captained by TTT member James Roberto and had a crew of four. Roberto said in an interview after the derby that the waters that day were a little “choppy at times,” but for the most part it was “pretty good.”

He said they didn’t really have a main target to lure in as they just let the lure go and hoped for the best. “It just so happened that as soon as we let the lures go around 7am, we hooked something—the marlin.” They then went back out to pair it up with another fish.

He then said that with their first win of the tournament that started up in 2022, “it felt good… Carmelita II‘s Alexander [Castro] Jr., we’re both part of Tasi To Table, and I knew he wanted to get the three-peat. So, I’m kind of happy holding him back to get that three-peat, so now it’s all on us to get that second win next year and the following. But it’s all for the fun and love of fishing.”

The TTT Mix Classic is a fishing derby focused on targeted pelagic fish species. Qualifying pelagic species are as follows: Billfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi, and skipjack tuna.

The combined weight of two different pelagic species selected by the team in competition is their weight category to determine the winner. Two of the same species do not qualify.

TTT president Gene Weaver was grateful that all 23 boats went out and came in safely. He said he was happy with the turnout despite it being a busy weekend, so it was successful.

He then thanked the sponsors FJR Enterprises, MARPAC, Ghost Products, KKMP, D&Q International Distributors, Island Image & Motion, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife data section.