SFA meets tonight for tournament

With only 11 days until hundreds of rods and reels set the local angling scene abuzz with monster marlin and whopping wahoo, the Saipan Fisherman’s Association is meeting again tonight to ensure another successful year of sashimi during the 21st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament.

The members will gather at the Marianas Visitors Authority headquarters in San Jose at 6pm to discuss the finer points of the wildly successful weekend of deep sea searching.

In less than two weeks, anglers from across the region will begin trolling the waters of the Northern Marianas in search of Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Blue Marlin, but before they get their hooks into the waters on Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28, they will have to take care of a few traditional formalities.

Throughout the entire 21 year existence of the SFA, safety is as much a part of the history of the association as the friendships forged on the open seas. On Friday, Aug. 26 there will be a pre-registration briefing at the Smiling Cove Marina from 5pm to 6:30pm where officials will explain the rules and regulations of the fish-athon. Following the briefing, the anglers will have the benefit of the traditional blessing of the boats.

While the blessing is optional, the pre-boat safety inspection is required, and captains should contact the Department of Public Safety’s Boating Safety Unit by calling (670)664-9180 for more information.

Launching points will be at the Sugar Dock in Chalan Kanoa, Smiling Cove Marina, and Fishing Base in Garapan. The early angler catches the worm and can set sail at any of the three locations on the water and underway between the hours of 6am and 8am. Any late launches must depart the Smiling Cove Marina.

Just like the previous 20 years, the prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers of the Bill Fish, Yellow Fin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Skip Jack. categories, but the lure of reeling the big one that tips the scales by breaking Danny Agulto’s record Marlin of 674.34 lbs, and the undisclosed cash prize associated with it should attract sailors like a siren’s song.

The big money will also go to the first fisherman who hauls in a monster Yellow Fin Tuna weighing over 106 lbs.

All it takes is a rod and a reel to win, but the entrance fee for the event is $150.00 per boat for captain and one crew, additional crew is $25.00 each.

For more information about the Saipan Fisherman’s Association or the upcoming tournament, contact Frank Tudela or Ed Diaz at the Marianas Visitors Authority by calling 664-3200/01.