SFA tournament registration today

The 20th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament is all set to kick off tomorrow in the deep waters off the coast of Saipan, and that means that it’s time for the registration, pre-tournament briefing, and the blessing of the boats.

At 5pm, boaters will make their way down to the Smiling Cove Marina to officially cast their lines into the tournament and receive the important pre-tournament briefing.

Following the briefing, boaters will have the opportunity to have their boats blessed before they set out to catch the big one in the morning. Getting the boat blessed might not be a bad idea since the Saipan Fishermen’s Association announced that they will be awarding over $60,000 in cash prizes for the annual event.

So far, the hunt for the monster marlin has drawn over 50 boats, with more than 150 participants, including captains and their crew from Guam, Palau, Rota, and Tinian.

Many of the region’s finest anglers are expected to participate in the two-day event in search of prizewinning fish, and they stand to line their pockets quite nicely with this being the biggest tournament of all.

There will be more prizes up for grabs and in higher amounts than ever before for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Bill Fish, Yellow Fin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Skipjack categories.

This year, the special cash prize set aside for the angler that manages to break the record for biggest Marlin (624.43 lbs.) set in 1997 by Danny Agulto is double that of previous years, at $20,000. If someone can break the record setting106 lb. Yellow Fin caught by James Taitano in 1990, they will bring home a $3,000.

This year’s grand prize purse of $10,000 will be awarded to the fisherman who nets the heaviest overall catch. In the Bill Fish category, first place will be awarded the Governor’s Cup and $4,000 cash, while second place wins $2,000 in cash and third gets $1,500.

The winner of the Yellow Fin category walks away with the Duty Free Cup and $2,500. Second and third place anglers take home $1,500 and $1,000 in cash respectively.

In the Wahoo category, the first place finisher will get the Speaker’s Cup and $2,500, followed by $1,500 for second, and $1,000.00 for third place.

The Mayor’s Cup will be awarded to the heaviest Mahi Mahi, along with $2,500, while second place will win $1,500.00, and $1,000.00 for third place.

In the Skipjack category, the winner will get the Yamaha Cup and $1,000, while the second and third place winners will receive $750 and $500, respectively.

There will also be a cash prize of $2,750 awarded for the total weight category.

Applications for the tournament are available at the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Fishing Tackle Shop. Registration for the event is from 5pm to 7pm at the Smiling Cove Marina in Garapan.

If you are interested in further information, please contact Martin F. Duenas at 664-3200/3201 or Wolf Mojica at 234-6615.