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Rota reels in weekend tournament
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Posted on Jun 09 2005
According to the seasoned anglers of Saipan, almost 95 percent of the Saipan Fisherman’s Association’s members do not own boats, but recently that hasn’t been a problem, as the Marianas Visitors Authority has been working with the mayors of the CNMI to offer tournaments for those taking the high ground.
Just two months after the Great Tinian Cliff Fishing Derby, organizers are gearing up for this weekend’s 2005 Rota Cliff Fishing Derby from the heights of As Matmos Point, Pona Point, and Malilok Point.
The cliff-side action gets underway tomorrow evening when anglers wrangle the bounty from the bottom of the sea at 5:30pm, and continues through Sunday, June 12. Before any lures are cast, there will be a mandatory derby orientation tomorrow from 4:30pm until 5pm at the Rota MVA office, where organizers will review rules and regulations, and field any questions.
The Rota Municipal Council organized the event with support from the Rota Mayor’s Office and local businesses in keeping with the MVA’s 2005 sports tourism destination promotional efforts to lure more visitors through events such as this is beginning to generate quite a stir with inquiries from cliff fishing enthusiasts.
This year, fishermen will have the opportunity to place in any or all of the three categories available—including the most species, most total weight, and the biggest fish.
The top three finishers of the Total Weight and Most Species categories stand to take home an assortment of cash and prizes, as the first place will reel in $500, second baits $300, and third place nets $200.
The winners of the Biggest Fish Category will have a little more reason to celebrate as they will take home $800 in cash, while the second and third place finishers will reel in $600 and $400 respectively.
The cost to register for the derby is $25 per fisherman, and following the weekend fish fest, participants are invited to the awards luncheon ceremony on Sunday at the Baybreeze Restaurant at noon.
For more information regarding the derby, contact the Rota Mayor’s Office by calling 532-9452, the 10th Rota Municipal Council at 532-4045, the MVA’s Rota office at 532-0327, or via email at: satalig@mymarianas.com.
