Guerrero bags most in mahi tournament

By BRAD E. RUSZALA
REPORTER

The Saipan Fisherman’s Association was up to its gills in mahi mahi this past weekend, but no angler was saddled with more of the tasty swimmers than Ignacio A. Guerrero and Roland Banaga who combined to win all three of the categories in the inaugural SFA Mahi Mahi Tournament.

Guerrero and Banaga made their way to the courtesy dock at Smiling Cove Marina with a monster mahi mahi that tipped the scales at 23.0 lbs. to edge skipper Benny Iriarte and anglers Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente, Gene Weaver, Ronald Benavente, Jeff Warfield, Joe Taijeron of Team Victoria and their 22.5-lb. catch.

Lino Tenorio Jr. and Bernard Rogeyo of the Madda Flyer were just ounces away from landing the big catch, but their 22.1-pounder was good enough for third place.

There was plenty of sashimi for everyone at the dock, as Guerrero and Banaga took the top prize for total weight with 186.5 lbs. of mahi, as well as in total pieces with 12.

Guerrero and Banaga beat out a total of 44 entrants overall in the successful launching of the new tournament, and according to tournament organizer John Guerrero of the SFA, the inaugural tournament went off without a hitch due to lessons that the association has learned in the past 20 years of hosting big events.

“All the preliminary planning paid off, the derby ran smoothly, and all the agencies involved had the event running like clock- work,” said Guerrero.

As successful as the mahi tournament was for the SFA, it doesn’t come close to the spectacle of the annual international tournament that will be held later this year. The main event brought in anglers from Guam, Palau, Korea, Japan, and the U.S. mainland last year for the 20th annual event. While the local gaffing gurus will quickly shift their focus to their main event, they may also add something new before the end of the year.

“We are planning for the international tournament, our main event, slated for fall 2005, but we are discussing the possibility for another derby— either yellow fin, wahoo or bottom fishing—to be added for the last quarter.

The SFA wishes to thank all of the sponsors of the first-ever tournament, including Pacific Trading Co., Joeten Motors/Yamaha, Shell Marianas, Marianas Visitors Office, DLNR/ Division of Fish & Wildlife, Lt. Governors Office, Saipan Mayors Office, House of Representatives, Speakers Office, YCO Corporation, Rays Rental.

“Thanks to all the fishermen that registered and fished in the derby. And thanks to all the volunteers, with out whom this event would have been chaos,” said Guerrero.