KAPAA — A marlin that tipped the scales at 351 pounds was the heaviest fish caught during Saturday’s Garden Island Trollers fishing contest. “They are so stoked on the fish,” said Kimberly Evans who submitted a photo of the “big
KAPAA — A marlin that tipped the scales at 351 pounds was the heaviest fish caught during Saturday’s Garden Island Trollers fishing contest.
“They are so stoked on the fish,” said Kimberly Evans who submitted a photo of the “big boy” which was hooked up in the morning.
The crew aboard the Throphy Pro, including Joal Rumion, Leroy Slingerland and Billy Quereto, not only snagged the marlin but also a mahimahi which tipped the scales at 18.56 pounds — one of the heavier fish in that category.
“We got the big boy outside of Black Mountain,” said Quereto. “We hooked up around 9:30 a.m., and after fighting the fish for about 30 to 45 minutes, we put the lines back out, and less than a minute later, hooked the mahi. We must have hit a mahi pile, but since we had the big boy, we figured we’d call it a day.”
Another marlin tipping the scale at 174.50 pounds and an aku weighing in at 11.55 pounds from the Play Hooky, captained by John Nakamura, was enough to keep spectators oogling at the steady stream of fish boxes that crossed weighmasters Keoki Rapozo and Steven Okamoto.
“This fishing contest is an annual event which brings the community together to foster the spirit of good fellowship and unity among the fishermen of Kauai,” said Sea Captain Jolene Spence, who oversaw the results.
The Throphy Pro crew topped the mahimahi category with the 18.56-pound fish, followed by the Aloha III at 13.75 pounds, and the Julie Anne at 12 pounds. Garden Island Trollers officials assigned the Aloha III, with captain Larry Smith, as the top mahi and the Julie Anne, with captain Jojo Caspillo aboard, as the runner up the in the category.
Thirty-seven boats took part in the annual trolling tournament, where boats could leave from Kapaa, Anini or Nawiliwili harbors. All fish were weighed in Kapaa.
“We were going crazy,” said Charles Kenney, who, with the help of Jeana Nakamura, showed off his kaku, or barracuda, which tipped the scale at 25.70 pounds. “We caught the fish at around 11 a.m., and at noon, they announced ‘Others’ as the special prize.”
Kenney and Nakamura scanned the field, but the kaku finished tops in the Others category from the Korin Ann.
“This baby just got us a rod and reel valued at about $1,200,” Kenney said.
With the big battles taking place, spectators were kept in place as they waited for the ahi that had reported in but had not crossed the scales.
Kamalei Alexander ended the suspense with about 30 minutes remaining in the weigh-in, when he submitted two fish — the first weighing in at 183.15 pounds and the second settling the scale at 161 pounds — from the Maya, which was captained by Milo Marguia.
But Ryan Koga, aboard the Kiana kai, snagged the runner up spot on a 161.80-pound fish. The Keour, which radio-ed in an estimated 150-pounder, settled at 144.65 pounds and the Hale Kai, coming in early, followed at 141.85 pounds.
Another battle waged in the Ono category when the crew aboard the Hana Pa, captained by Kimo Pa, came in with a 24.15 pounder. This was challenged by the Makalapua crew, captained by Devin Daligdig, who came in with an ono of identical weight.
The tie breaker of when the fish was radio-ed in gave the Hana Pa top honors followed by Makalapua. Other ono included a 23.35 submission from the Miss Jo, a 19.55-pound fish from the Kai Holo III, and a 15.85-pounder filling in the leaderboard.
The Kini Kia had the heaviest aku at 18.25 pounds, followed by the Kristen K at 17.25 pounds, and the Kekoa at 16.40 pounds.
Anglers, their families and friends were treated to the awards banquet on Sunday with food being provided by Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering, where the awards, trophies and door prizes were distributed.
