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Wahoo record falls as Castro reels in 46.16-pounder
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Posted on Sep 12 2005
On the same day that the captain and crew from the Charlie Cat returned from Guam to become the first repeat champions of the 21st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament’s grand prize, Augustin Castro reeled in the biggest wahoo in tournament history.
Castro shattered the 16-year record held by Jancintio Taman when he bagged a 46.16-lb. wahoo and brought it to the scales. Taman had held onto the title of whopping wahoo since 1989 when the experienced angler hoisted a 44-lb. fish into his boat.
Understandably Taman was upset when he received the call, but records were made to be broken, and a new group of fisherman will surely be gunning for the mark next year as well.
The excitement continued at the marina as a crowd of onlookers struggled to see the 30.86- lb. mahi mahi delivered by Dave Kerley, Ben Mettao, Kihachi Miura, and Allen Deleon of the Kaiyu III. While it fell well short of the 50.26-lb. monster caught by Jesse Taitano Jr. three years ago, it was more than eight pounds heavier than the 22.35-lb. catch brought in by the captain and crew of the Mandy.
The only remaining category brought in a few memorable moments from the CNMI’s executive branch, as Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente and the crew of Team Victoria came into port with only minutes left on the final day with the prize-winning 21.12-lb. skipjack tuna.
After a first day in which the seas yielded only enough to satisfy their lunchtime appetites, Gene Weaver, Joe Taijeron, wife Vicky, and brother Ron worked together to slay the skipjack.
“It’s the biggest one I’ve ever caught. We all caught it as a team. I was on the reel, LT [Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente] gaffed him, and Vicky [Benavente] was on the wheel,” said Weaver.
The crew also caught a 20-lb. skipjack that would have been good enough for second place as well, but according to the rules each boat can only place one fish per category to keep it fair for everyone.
That was good news for the crew of the unnamed craft CM 2061CF and their 19.84-lb. skipjack, and the Lemetau, whose 19.62-pounder was good enough for third.
