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Fishermen gear up for tournament
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Posted on Jul 31 2008
Local fishing enthusiasts are gearing up for the 24th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament next month with organizers expecting more than 50 boats to take part and 150 contestants with lines in the water.
“The amazing thing about this is the number of people that come out for it,” said Frank Tudela of the Marianas Visitors Authority, one of the organizers of the event. “It’s a lot of fun.”
In a statement released Thursday, MVA said the two-day event, which draws fishermen from throughout the Commonwealth and abroad, will include a cash prize of $10,000 for the first angler to catch a marlin weighing more than 624.34 lbs.
The tournament, beginning Aug. 9 and ending Aug. 10 , is one of three major fishing events the SFA hosts each year. It will include competitions for catching bill fish, yellow fin, wahoo, mahi mahi and skipjack.
Prior to the competition, according to the statement, the Department of Public Safety will conduct inspections of boats taking part in it. Further details on the event are available at the MVA’s offices and the Fishing Tackle shop.
A fact sheet released on the tournament says pre-registration for it will begin Aug. 8 from 5:30pm to 6:30 pm at the Smiling Cove Marina, where officials will brief contestants on the rules.
The tournament begins at 6am and runs until 6pm. It continues on Aug. 10, following the same schedule. A banquet with awards will take place at 6pm on Aug. 11 at the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan.
For additional information, contact Ed Diaz or Tudela at 664-3200/1.
