Lone catch snags 1st place in TTT’s 5th Wahoo Derby

The lone catch of the Fangoti snagged them first place in the Tasi To Table’s student-led fishing derby, the Wahoo in the Marianas, last Saturday at the Smiling Cove Marina.

Their 19.7-lb wahoo was enough to net them the $2,000 cash prize in the fifth edition of the derby.

Second place and $1,500 went to MV Gloria’s 17.1-lb wahoo, captained by John T. Sablan, while third place and $1,000 was won by Ronin, captained by Billy Grow for their 15.7-lb wahoo.

Fourth place and the total weight winner was Ruby Fishing for their 13.6-lb haul.

Fangoti’s captain was Jack John Pua and crewmembers Alvir Masga and Eddie Demei. Pua said they cruised to the north side of the island and reeled the fish in around 8am, just two hours into the derby. He said the fight wasn’t that long, but Demei said that was their only catch of the day—and it turned out to be the biggest in the derby.

Pua said they plan to split the winnings and that they donated their catch to TTT. He then thanked TTT for setting up the event.

Sablan, captain of MV Gloria, said that they won first place last year and that they are the record-holder of the heaviest wahoo ever when they reeled in a whopping 54-lb wahoo in 2008 during the Saipan International Fishing Tournament.

This derby, he said, “Is a good event. The youth are doing a good job. Gene Weaver is doing a good job in leading them.”

TTT president Gene Weaver, for his part, said that after the derby’s postponement, he was glad they finally pulled it off. The derby was initially set for March 23, but there was a small craft advisory.

Last Saturday, however, he said the weather was great. “It was really nice. We had ideal conditions for this derby and the support, the participants came out—26 strong. Twenty-six went out and 26 came home safely. That’s what makes this successful.”

He added that the students who helped lead the derby did their best despite a challenging year for everyone. “It was a challenge, but the community came out with the support and I’m thankful for all of them and making it happen for the students,” he said.

He also thanked the students from Saipan and Rota who he said did a “tremendous job” with the derby.

As for the derby chair, Rastavana Wenio, she said despite the event being pushed back, the turnout was pretty good. “Everybody did their best, did their part, and showed up,” she said.

She then thanked the students for their hard work and their advisors for guiding them.

The Wahoo in the Marianas is Tasi To Table’s yearly fishing derby that is hosted by, and for, TTT’s student members. Funds raised from the derby will go towards TTT’s student program.

The major sponsors of the derby were AK Toyota, Mobil Oil Marianas, and IT&E.