SFA: Prizes grow as tournament nears

The 20th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament will be this weekend in the deep waters off the coast of Saipan, and the Saipan Fishermen’s Association announced that they will be awarding over $60,000 in cash prizes for the annual event.

This year, over 50 boats with more than 150 participants including captains and their crew from Guam, Palau, Rota, and Tinian are expected to participate in the two-day event in search of a prizewinning fish. The event location will be at the Smiling Cove Marina in Garapan, Saipan. Prizes are up for grabs for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for the categories of Bill Fish, Yellow Fin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Skipjack.

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. Yellowfin 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 $4,000.00 cash, while second place wins $2,000.00 in cash and third gets $1,500.00 for.

The winner of the Yellow Fin category walks away with the Duty Free Cup and $2,500.00. Second and third place anglers take home $1,500.00 and $1,000.00 in cash respectively.

In the Wahoo category, the first place finisher will get the Speakers Cup and $2,500.00, followed by $1,500.00 for second, and $1,000.00 for third place.

The Mayor’s Cup will be awarded to the heaviest Mahi Mahi, along with $2,500.00, 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 $1,000.00, while the second and third place winners will receive $750.00 and $500.00, respectively.

There will also be a cash prize of $2,750.00 awarded for the total weight category.

“This year’s prizes, as promised are quite attractive, thanks to the enormous support provided by our sponsors in the business community and the government sector,” said Martin Duenas, SFA Public Relations and Advertising chairman.

“We encourage everyone to come out and cheer on our participants, all of whom have a big challenge ahead of them,” Duenas added.

Applications for the tournament are available at the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Fishing Tackle Shop. Registration for the event will be on Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 from 5-7pm at the Smiling Cove Marina in Garapan.

If you are interested in further information about the Saipan Fishermen’s Association or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Duenas at 664-3200/3201 or Wolf Mojica at 234-6615.

If you have any fish tales that you would like to share from any of the last 19 tournaments, please contact Brad E. Ruszala by calling 235-2440 or via e-mail brad_ruszala@saipantribune.com