Fishing group, tourney participants applauded

The 8th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council has adopted a series of resolutions congratulating the Saipan Fishing Association, the 21st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament winners, participants, and sponsors for a successful staging of the tournament.

The Saipan Fishing Association’s 21st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament kicked-off on Sept. 10, 2005, and ended on Sept. 11, 2005, with the captains and anglers from Palau, Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan launching their boats from the Susupe Sugar Dock, Garapan Fishing Base and Smiling Cove. The captains and anglers competed for the winning prizes in the Billfish category, Yellow Fin category, Wahoo category, and Skip Jack category.

At the final showdown on Sept. 11, the winners were announced at 6pm at Smiling Cove. In the Grand Prize category, Guam Capt. Quane Ly and angler Jesus Cura caught the Monster Marlin Grand Prize for two straight years at 519.14 lbs in 2004 and 422.40 lbs in 2005.

In the Billfish category, Capt. Lawrence Concepcion and anglers Leo Reyes and Joe Palacios walked away with the first place; boat cm-142-pu Capt. Ray Sablan and angler Frank Dela Cruz cleared second place; and boat Pastime Capt. Yokoyama Masahiro and Anglers Jason Aldan, Keiji Takeda and Mario settled at third place.

In the Yellow Fin Category, boat Nombei Capt. John Faisao and anglers Ivan Quinata, Steve Rice, Brian Metz, Max Simian, Tom Polevich, Dewey Cooper and Jerry Smith captured first place; boat Lemetau Capt. Joe Rabauliman and anglers Hank Rabauliman and Andrew Rabauliman walked away with second place; and boat cm-299-pu Capt. Jacinto Taman and anglers Ray Roberto, Andres Roberto and Gerard Indalecio settled for third place.

In the Wahoo Category, boat Blue Water Capt. Augustin Castro and angler Jesus Castro took first place; boat Kaiyu III Capt. Miura Kihachi and anglers Allan Deleon, David Kerley and Ben Mettao cleared second place; and boat Cabo Express Capt. Heinz Hofschneider and anglers Jack Diaz, Pat Diaz, Diego Aguon and Juan Tenorio settled at third place.

In the Mahi Mahi Category, boat Kaiyu III Capt. Miura Kihachi and anglers Allan Deleon, David Kerley and Ben Mettao walked away with first place; boat Mandy Capt. John Roberto and anglers Toney Tenorio and Akui Angelito took second place; and boat Sweet Candy Capt. George Moses and angler Frank Kapileo settled for third place.

In the Skip Jack Category, boat Victoria Capt. Diego Benavente and anglers Vicky Benavente, Ron Benavente, Gene Weaver and Joseph Taijeron captured first place; boat Mako Capt. Eloy Inos and anglers Rufin Inos, Parker Yobei, John Inos, Ray Takai and Mark Salas took second; and boat cm-299-pu Capt. Jacinto Taman and anglers Ray Roberto, Andres Roberto and Gerard Indalecio settled for third place. Guam boat Hog Wild Capt. Tommy Mckenny and angler Kendel Mckenny, took the total weight prize.

The captains and anglers failed to break the 674.36 lbs monster marlin record established by the late Daniel P. Agulto in 1997, and the 106 lbs monster yellow fin record set by James Taitano in 1990.

The resolution concluded by saying that members of the Municipal Council and the people of the CNMI are extremely proud to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Saipan Fishing Association’s John M. San Nicolas, president; Cris Guerrero, vice president; Tom Coleman, secretary; Gene Weaver, treasurer; Sgt. Juan D. Diaz, chairman, Boating Safety committee; Tony Scragg, chairman, Entertainment committee; Martin Duenas, chairman, PR & Ad committee; Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente, chairman, Rules committee; Wolf Mojica, chairman, Solicitation committee; Richard Seman, chairman, Weighing and Recording committee; Juan Tenorio (Morgen), chairman, Prize committee; members Dino Palacios, Ed Diaz, Rick Seidler, Mario Taitano, Mike E. Sablan, Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Efrain Guerrero, Frank Aldan, Cutz Aldan, Floyd Masga, Joe I. Guerrero, Ray Roberto, Vicky Benavente, Pauline Johnson, Roxanne Maratita, Jack Ogumoro, Rep. Arnold Palacios, Ruth Coleman, Isidro Cabrera, Charles Cepeda, Frank A.H. Tudela, Luis Duenas, Norman Tenorio, Art Guerrero, Cid Cabrera, Mike Fleming, Brad E. Ruszala, Kelly Tenorio, Norman (Dung) Tenorio, Richard Brooks, Rudy Guerrero, John D. Guerrero, Mark Staffler, Manny Tenorio, Perry F. Sablan, and David B. Rosario; the sponsors, the tournament winners and participants from Palau, Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan for making this year’s fishing tournament an exciting, enjoyable and rewarding experience.

The resolutions were certified by chair Gregorio V. Deleon Guerrero and vice chair David A. Indalecio and attested by secretary Antonia M. Tudela.