MEDIA RELEASE

If a $10,000 koa tree crashed in the woods and nobody heard it, would it still be worth $10,000?

The Fuel Dock Fishing Series wants you to hear this $10,000 crash clearly: Hawaii Fuel Network and the Fuel Dock Series are giving away a guaranteed prize of $10,000.00 in free fuel in a new string of tournaments starting Jan. 28-29 and you could win.

Anyone can win. Who couldn’t use $10,000 in free fuel?

KAPA Radio will be running a number of “live liners” over the next five weeks, with DJ’s yakking about this unique opportunity, the winners of each tournament and how to get in on it. The tournaments are open to everyone, and they are “jungle rules” so basically the only thing you need is a boat, some rods and reels and some folks to reel in the fish.

The first two tournaments will each award $1,000 in free fuel to the team catching the single largest fish, 100 pounds or better – of any species. No sharks, no rays, no mammals. You just need to catch the fish from a boat and bring the fish to the scale by boat.

Currently entry forms are available at all Big Island HFN and Minit Stop stores across the Big Island. Sign ups are held at Suite C at the Fuel Dock at Honokohau, where information packs are available.

On line links can be found at the official Fuel Dock Fishing Series web site at www.konatournaments.co…, as well as www.kaparadio.com and www.alohainsurance.com

There will be a cash purse awarded from the $350 per team entry fees collected as well as the $1000 in free fuel per tournament in the Series. After six events, a Tournament of Champions will be held where the Champ will win $3,000 in free fuel, cash and other prizes.

The Fuel Dock Fishing Series is produced by Tropidilla Productions, LLC, the same folks who bring you the $1 Million Dollar Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series.

MEDIA RELEASE

Mark your fishing calendars for another Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) scheduled for Aug. 12-18 in Kona.

This prestige Tournament built on strict International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules for world records, kicks off Sunday, Aug. 12 as teams register, draw for their tournament boats and participate in the HIBT parade through Historic Kailua Village.

Then starting 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, teams begin five days of tournament fishing. Last fishing day ends Friday, Aug. 17 at exactly 4:30 pm.

On Saturday Aug. 18, teams, anglers, friends, captains and crew gather for the annual Crying Towel and Awards Dinner.

So far, International teams from Papua New Guinea, Japan, and the U.S. have registered for the 2012 HIBT. Be expecting a show of teams from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, China, California, Florida, Hawaii and North Carolina.

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the generosity of the County of Hawaii, Research and Development and sponsored in part by KWXX Radio and numerous corporate and community donors.

Future HIBT fishing dates include: 2013 HIBT Aug. 4-10; 2014 HIBT July 27-Aug. 2.

For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including team listings, IGFA world-record rules and a daily video recap of tournament standings, visit www.hibtfishing.com

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU— The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reminds the fishing public that the season for ‘ama‘ama (striped mullet) will be closed from Thursday, December 1, 2011 through Saturday, March 31, 2012.

“‘Ama‘ama are about to enter their peak spawning season,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson. “The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing.”

Violations of the size or season restrictions can result in fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, plus up to $100 for each fish taken.

“We ask the public’s kokua in complying with the closed season,” said Aila. “While it’s DLNR’s job to protect our marine resources, everyone shares in the responsibility to take care of important fish species like ‘ama‘ama to ensure their survival into the future.”

Copies of statewide fishing regulations for ‘ama‘ama and all other marine species are available in Honolulu at the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) office, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, and at all neighbor island aquatic resources offices. Fishing regulations can also be found on the DAR web site at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar. To report fish catch size or net violations, call 643-DLNR (643-3567).

MEDIA RELEASE

Twelve Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas Remain in Effect

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the re-opening of State marine waters on Thursday, September 1, 2011 for the 2011-2012 bottomfish fishing year.

The fishing year was closed earlier this year on March 12, 2011 and remained closed through August 31, 2011. Seven bottomfish species were affected by this closure: onaga, ehu, opakapaka, kalekale, gindai, lehi, and the hapu‘upu‘u.

The federally established annual catch target (ACT) for the new fishing year is 325,000 pounds of Deep-7 bottomfish. The ACT is monitored through commercial landings. The bottomfish fishery will close when the 2011-2012 commercial landings reach the ACT limit, or on August 31, 2012 when the fishing year ends, whichever comes first.

The Department also reminds bottomfish fishers that when the new fishing year opens on September 1, 2011, the State’s twelve bottomfish restricted fishing areas or BRFAs will continue to remain closed to bottomfish fishing. Fishers are advised to consult the Department’s website for the locations of the twelve restricted fishing areas.

For all of the rules — both existing and amended — that are in force for bottomfish and bottomfishing and the locations of the 12 restricted fishing areas, please visit the Department’s website: hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/fi…

Commercial fishermen who have questions about their catch reports may call the Division of Aquatic Resources at (808) 587-0594.

For more information about federal regulations or permits, contact the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) at (808) 944-2200, or the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) at (808) 522-8220.

Marlin Jefferson (right) and his teammates dry their tears on the Crying Towel. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

It’s one of the awards anglers don’t want to even be nominated for, but Marlin Jefferson and his Hilton Grand Vacation Fishing Club – Ohana teammates walked away with this year’s Crying Towel.

At the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament awards dinner, one of the highlights is hearing about the one that got away. And there are always some heartbreaking stories.

However, this year Jefferson needed a poem / rap to top a slate of super sob stories. The HIBT rookie angler reportedly was banned from joining his teammates for a post-fishing beer until he had written his ode.

Awards dinner MC (and tournament chief judge) Albert Threadingham called upon anglers to share their stories of tough luck and asked their fellow fishers to vote with their voices.

Jefferson was the clear winner with a huge chorus of cheers that probably carried out to Zone Oscar. Even the Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans could sympathize with his plight.

Here is Jefferson’s poem / rap account:

Day 5 has arrived
The Sea Baby III would be the boat
to take us trolling that day
for about an hour or so we could hear
that reel start spinning away
a big blue was hooked
Capt. Hayashi battled it and won
hip hip hooray
we got along side the boat
gaffed it and pulled with some rope
attempting to land it
by pulling it in from the aft bay
suddenly a white tip share had different plans
‘dinner’ was its mind
estimated at 450 plus
it gored our catch from behind
that doggone shark came back for seconds
and before we could get the marlin on board
it gored our fish for a second time
with a mutilation caused by that
shark a disqualification ensued
but we lucked out a little
tagged and released another marlin
to lighten up the mood
well, now the tournament is over
our place in the standings I don’t
even want to know
I’d rather cry to ease this pain
but I need a towel to stop the flow

“This is my very first time in Hawaii, my first HIBT and I win the Crying Towel,” Jefferson said. “I figured I might have some rookie luck, especially with my name actually being Marlin. But maybe they canceled each other out. I’ll be back next year though. I had a great time.”

—

Mickey's last photo op. ( Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Da Mickey Rat retiring

Anglers are a superstitious lot. Some might wear the same socks, pack the same lunch or carry lucky lure in their pockets.

Not Old South Marlin Club. They have a secret weapon: Da Mickey Rat. Quite possibly the most vicious and toothy land-lubber ever to grace HIBT.

Mickey is quite short in statute, but he makes up for that in rat-titude.

The North Carolina team’s mascot is a black plastic rat that is missing one hand entirely (replaced by an equally vicious hook) and a couple fingers on the other hand. He sports a spiffy array of earrings, necklaces, a bandana and a mouth full of yellowing teeth.

It’s hard to tell if he’s hissing, smiling or passing gas.

Either way, this year was Mickey’s last appearance in Kona. He is retiring to a life a smelly cheese treats and lazy days on the Atlantic Ocean.

Team member Kent Neal is Mickey’s unofficial chaperone and said Mickey will be replaced at the end of this year.

Mickey is the fourth club mascot and has simply outlived his wharf rat warrior days.

Neal said the club has been experimenting with Mickey’s predecessor, Bubba, and expects to have a new mascot sworn in by the ‘Start fishing’ call next year.

“Yeah, he’s about done now. He’s served us well and can look forward to enjoying his retirement,” Neal said. “Meanwhile, we have been cross-breeding Bubba with a wolverine. We have no idea what we’ll get, but we’re pretty sure it’ll be a good one.”

We’ll certainly be waiting with (cheese) baited breath …

—

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

China tests the waters

Although this tournament truly is international, this year marked the first time a team from China traveled to Kona.

“There are no major billfish tournaments in China, but we have lots of other fishing,” said John Cheng, a University of Hawaii at Hilo philosophy professor who served as a volunteer translator.

The rookies put points on the scoreboard each of the first three days, landing in second place by Wednesday.

“It has been a very good first year. We were surprised and very pleased to be in second place,” Cheng said. “We had many more people who wanted to come and next year we will bring more teams and maybe some cheerleaders, too.”

The entourage of Chinese visitors numbered eight included three anglers and several government officials.

“They will make a report to the people of China,” Cheng said. “It will be very important that they tell of the beautiful scenery and wonderful people, as well as the fishing. They will take Hawaii home and share it.”

Mayor Billy Kenoi stopped by Thursday afternoon as the anglers returned to Kailua Pier and said he was pleased to see the China team was having a good week.

“This is very exciting. We’re always happy to spread the aloha of the Big Island and I’m really glad they are here having a good time,” he said. “We’re very proud of our island and of the aloha we have and I know they will take that home with them. This tournament is all about celebrating big game fishing and showing what the Big Island has to share with the world.”

Kenoi also said he appreciates the effort it takes to host the tournament.

“All the volunteers, who give from their heart freely. That’s the true spirit of aloha.” Kenoi said. “I have great respect for Peter Fithian’s vision, leadership and sustained commitment. His is the true spirit of aloha.”

—

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Hawaii teams

Among those listing themselves as hometown teams: Kona Game Fishing Club – Taiyo, Alii Brothers Marlin Hui and Lawaia Mau Loa.

The Lawaia Mau Loa team included anglers from Hawaii and Guam, but consisted mostly of council members and staff members from the Western Pacific Regional Management Council.

Executive director Kitty Simonds said the council won its entry into the race through the Great Marlin Race – a tag and release research initiative – and paid some of the other tournament fees. Individual anglers, however, paid their own incidental costs and expenses.

“We should be supporting this event. It’s important to be here,” Simonds said. “We brought almost the whole office with us and we are conducting business as usual.”

Simonds said she led a staff meeting during the week and sent five staffers home to Honolulu on Thursday.

David Itano, a pelagic fisheries researcher, racked up some points when he tapped a 260-lb marlin Thursday.

“He’s a seasoned fisherman,” Simonds said, “and we are lucky to have him on the team.”

Simonds said she was in charge of assigning would go out and fish each day – from council members to staff – and was eager to see what they would learn.

“Just by participating, we are able to gain knowledge from the actual event,” Simonds said. “It’s a good thing for us.”

Also, during the week, Simonds said she conducted staff meetings and was in contact with the Honolulu office.

“This is quite a valuable experience for our younger members,” Simonds said. “We can talk to the captains and the crews about their tagging programs and help make improvements. There might be different rules or methods or ways of researching that we can help them with.”

Simonds said she hopes the hands-on HIBT experience will allow the council to work more closely with commercial and recreational fisherman across Hawaii to better manage and protect ocean resources.

—

HIBT 2011 complete program

Here’s the HIBT 2011 program. It includes team rosters and the boat directory.

—

(Hawaii 124/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Magic Marlin

Marlin Parker, skipper of the 54-foot Marlin Magic II, again scooped the Henry Chee Award, which recognizes the charter boat captain with the highest number of billfish points scored on his boat during the week. It marks Parker’s third Henry Chee Award.

Boone Award

1. Lightspeed
2. (tie) Marlin Magic II and JR’s Hooker
3. Monkey Biz II

—

If ya really wanna cry into your towel:

Word is the biggest fish caught Saturday, July 30 during the Huggo’s Wahine Tournament weighed 733 lbs. and the girls tagged 19 fish … in one day.

Save the date, boys: 53rd annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is Aug. 13-17, 2012.

— Find out more:
www.hibtfishing.com
www.greatmarlinrace.or…

Members of the press get a front row seat Friday, July 29 the final day of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.

Story and photography by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

“Start fishing, start fishing, start fishing!” With those words, the chase is on.

Twenty-eight of Kona’s best charter boats bolt out of Kailua Bay, with eager anglers on a quest for the great Pacific blue marlin and points toward the 52nd annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament trophy.

Right behind that fleet is a handful of press photographers aboard Chiripa, chasing the elusive leaping fish photo. Skipper BC Crawford puts the throttle down and, aiming Chiripa northwest, quickly pulls up near Wild Hooker.

In little more than one hour, Capt. Randy Parker has found a marlin for the Alii Brothers Marlin Hui team. They are hooked up and the angler is working the rod back and forth.

Crawford eases in close to the action and swings Chiripa around so the sun is behind the photographers. A smooth move to ensure the best pictures, but Parker waves him back as the marlin puts up a fierce fight.

Crawford keeps up a running commentary from his perch. “See that guy at the back with the gloves on. He’s the deck hand. When he gets all lit up, you know the fish is getting close. And he’s already got his gloves on. He’s like a dog getting ready to attack. When he gets down like that, it’s go time.”

After about 15 minutes, a loud ‘ping’ and even louder ‘awwww’ carry across the water. The deckhand rips off his gloves and flings them down. The marlin has broken free and Alii Brothers won’t be getting any points from that battle.

The angler's chair aboard the Chiripa was mostly empty as the photographers attention was elsewhere.

The press boat chugs away slowly and the photographers’ attention is drawn to a single dorsal fin popping up above the swells. More quickly follow and a handful of dolphins join in Chiripa’s cruise for several minutes.

It doesn’t take long before the radio crackles again. Sea Baby III is hooked up. Crawford hammers toward the action and the photographers clutch their cameras as tightly as the guardrails.

The Chiripa pulls in behind the Sea Baby III as the Hilton Grand Vacations Fishing Club – Ohana angler gives a mighty tug on the rod and the deckhands reach over with gaff hooks, ropes and an aluminum baseball bat. They struggle to subdue the fish as they pull it alongside the boat.

It’s a monster. Estimates ranged between 425 lbs. and 500 lbs. That’d be one of the biggest of the week and worth a bucket load of points.

The press boat erupts in a cacophony of clicks, whirs and snaps as camera shutters work overtime. Over on the Sea Baby, it’s a jumble of ‘get her,’ ‘hold on’ and ‘got it.’

Hilton Grand Vacations Fishing Club - Ohana was pleased to snag a Pacific blue marlin about 10 a.m. Friday, July 29.

Almost simultaneously, the deckhand loses his grip on the baseball bat and as it bobs off in the swells, Crawford voice rises above the noise of two engines, six cameras and the crew’s chorus.

“Shark, shark, shark. There he is. Quick. Get her onboard. Oh no. Too late. That’s DQ’d.”

The anglers and crew look crestfallen, but continue to haul the carcass onboard.

The photographers crowd together, waiting to see the carnage. Blood begins to change the color of the ocean and as the monster marlin is dragged aboard, it’s clear several large chunks of its flank are missing.

Blood stains the ocean as the crew pulls the fish aboard Sea Baby III.

The anglers and crew silently tug at the fish and inspect the damage. Meanwhile, Crawford is still yelling.

“Roney, grab the bat. Can you reach? Hang on. Got it? Good.”

Crawford expertly eases in closer so Roney can hand the bat back to the Sea Baby crew. But everyone on both boats is momentarily distracted.

“There’s the shark.” Roney points the bat into the water about six feet off the stern of Chiripa. “See it? Right there.”

Just below the surface, the shark glides between the boats as if wondering what happened to its breakfast buffet.

Is it 6 feet long, 8 feet, maybe 10 feet? “Hard to say,” Roney peered deeper into the water. “But probably about 200 or 300 pounds, I’d guess.”

Over on Sea Baby, they all look like soccer goalkeepers who have accidentally let in a game-losing goal. Hands on hips, heads shaking, staring down at their feet as if personally insulted by the grave injustice of what just happened.

According to International Game Fish Association, a catch is disqualified for any mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh.

So, no points for that team, either.

The back end of the marlin after its encounter with a whitetip shark. The fish reportedly weighed in at 436 lbs., with an estimated 30-40 lbs missing.

Crawford gets a little philosophical. “All that work. But what are you gonna do? That’s fishing for you. Sometimes you lose them.”

For the next two hours, Crawford alternates between toodling around the various zones that make up the tournament’s fishing area and ripping along to catch up with the next photo opportunity.

Game fishing is not a titillating spectator sport for novices, but watch long enough and the delicate dance between angler and fish becomes clear. Reels whiz angrily as a billfish darts in every direction under the waves. Rods bend and strain as the angler works the surface.

There’s a give and take, a dramatic display across dimensions. And there is always only one winner.

Sometimes the lure works itself free and the fish is gone. Sometimes lines get tangled or snap or the deckhands can’t get a good grip and the fish is gone.

“Sometimes they start to zip off in all directions, chaining it up and the lure just pops loose and you’re done,” Roney said, snapping his fingers. “The fish wins.”

Other times, the angler, his teammates, the skipper and the crew work in concert so precisely that the fish is out-numbered, out-maneuvered and out of luck. For the angler, it’s points and bragging rights. For the fish, it’s the end of the line. Literally.

Many times – especially during tournaments like HIBT that place as much emphasis on research and conservation as sport – the fish is zapped with a tracking device, which monitors its movements, and cut loose.

Crawford catches up with several boats just as anglers attach the tag. The whoops of delight and slaps of high-fives echo across the swells. Hey, you still get points and bragging rights for tag and release.

Tagging and releasing a Pacific blue marlin aboard the Kona Seafari.

There is a lull shortly after noon and the photographers settle down for a lunch of sandwiches, pretzels and carrot sticks. Shortly after that, the conversation falls off and more than half the photographers snooze in the cabin as Chiripa rumbles sedately along.

When Crawford throws it into high gear and the engine starts to growl, the photographers follow. Up and out on the deck in an instant. Is someone hooked up? Where? More whoops and high-fives. Oh, they tagged and released already? Back to snoozing.

Later, with all assignments complete and another break in the action, Crawford turns away from the defined tournament fishing area and shifts into Star Trek super-wrap speed, as Roney busts out a big shiny fishing rod.

Everyone relaxes again, but keeps one eye on the blue reel and bright green fishing line that trails behind the boat. Just as the snoozing sets back in, that distinctive whiz sounds as loud as a tsunami siren. And the reaction is just as fierce.

Roney quickly plants Erin in the angler’s seat. Erin, who is shooting for an Australian fishing magazine, is an ocean aficionado – surfer, angler, boat deckhand, lover of the wide open spaces.

She looks comfortable and in charge, winding the reel on and letting the slack off with ease. Arms and shoulders pumping, focused, intent on the thin line that connects her to this unseen, under-sea behemoth.

Roney, who has 35 years at sea, is giving her pointers and Erin is doing so well, he has already donned those getting-close gloves. Crawford, however, is skipper and has a birds-eye view.

“Pump it up and down. Quick strokes, if you can, Erin. You got it.” He’s directing this dance from above.

It goes well. The lure pops to the surface several times. Roney leans over. “It’s probably 125 lbs.,” he yelled up to Crawford.

There are cameras ready. Everyone is on edge.

Steve Roney has his gloves on and is ready for action as Erin works the rod. Eventually, the fish thrashed loose and was gone.

‘Thwipppp.’ The lure ricochets back and the fish is gone.

“Hey, I’ve caught tons of fish before but that was my first marlin so yeah, it was exciting,” she said. “Bring it on. I loved it.”

Crawford, however, isn’t up for that challenge. The press boat swings by one more tag and release catch.

Strong Persuader has a strike at about 3:30 p.m. and Crawford gets the press boat there in time to see the tagging tussle..

“Fish on. Fish on. Come on, Charlie, make her jump. Aww, no, scratching up the boat on that side. They got her. OK, that’s it. We’re going in.”

Back at Kailua Pier, the anglers might be a bit disappointed that nobody hauled in a big fish. But, like all true anglers, they were quite happy with their new stories about the ones that got away.

On this day – the final day of fishing for the 52nd annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament – maybe the fish won.

Never mind. There’s always next year. Save the dates: Aug. 13-17, 2012.

— Find out more:
www.hibtfishing.com

Thanks for the ride, Capt. BC Crawford and deckhand Steve Roney!

Port Vila Game Fishing Club of Vanuatu (Photo courtesy of HIBT)

Special to Hawaii 24/7

“Stop fishing, stop fishing, stop fishing,” rang out at exactly 4:30 p.m. for the final time this week, and with those iconic words the 52nd Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament came to a close.

The fifth and final day of this prestigious tournament generated plenty of fishing action, keeping judges and scorekeepers alert as 28 teams battled for points.

“Every year, the Big Island of Hawaii extends such warmth and aloha to the anglers and their families. HIBT thanks this community for 52 years of aloha,” tournament founder Peter Fithian said. “All 28 teams putting points on the scoreboard really emphasized Kona’s internationally acclaimed reputation for great sportfishing. 2011 proved to be another fantastic year at HIBT.”

Port Vila Game Fishing Club of Vanuatu prevailed and took the HIBT Governor’s Trophy and first place. Although this HIBT rookie team did not score Friday, their lead going into Day 5 was strong enough to hold off several other teams high on the scoreboard.

Port Vila Game Fishing Club of Vanuatu finished this five-day Tournament with an even 2,000 points.

“We were following radio reports all day and keeping track of how other teams were doing,” a very happy team of anglers said. “We are thrilled to be in Kona and to compete at HIBT for the first time. We’ll be back next year. In fact, our wives are already making plans.”

New Zealand’s Bay of Islands Swordfish Club #2 claimed second place with 1,570 points. Though the team did not score Friday, they were awarded 100 bonus points for catching the largest Pacific blue marlin of the tournament.

A third team from the southern Pacific rounds the top three at the 52nd Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.

Game Fishing Club of South Australia moved into third place with 1,219 points after angler and team captain Rolf Czabayski satellite tagged and released an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin on 50-pound test line in just 15 minutes.

This satellite tag is now part of the Great Marlin Race, a collaboration between HIBT billfish anglers and Stanford University marine biologists to track the movement of marlin across the ocean.

Marlin Parker wins top captain

Marlin Parker, captain of the 54-foot Marlin Magic II, reeled in the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament’s coveted Henry Chee Award.

The Henry Chee Award was established in 1965 by the Tournament Board of Governors recognize the charter boat captain with the highest number of billfish points scored on his boat during the five days of tournament fishing.

Captain Chee was a pioneering captain and throughout his lifetime set an unprecedented number of game fish catch records that helped make his favorite fishing grounds, the Kona Coast, world famous.

This is Parker’s third Henry Chee Award.

Parker grew up fishing in the world-famous waters off the Kona coast. His father, Captain George Parker, is credited for his visionary commitment to building Kona’s sportfishing fame and was inducted into the International Game Fish Association’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Great fishing was Marlin Parker’s destiny. Parker grew up with the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and has been one of its strongest supporters. He is a seven-time recipient of HIBT’s prestigious Richard Boone Award and now a three-time winner of the Henry Chee Award.

Next year’s 53rd Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 12-18, including five days of tournament fishing Aug. 13-17.

Anglers and teams are invited to apply early as full tournament participation is anticipated.

DAILY CATCH (FRIDAY)
10 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
3 Shortbill spearfish tagged & released

HIBT CUMULATIVE WEEK TOTAL
54 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
5 Pacific blue marlin weighed
1 Striped marlin tagged & released
18 Shortbill spearfish tagged & released
3 Ahi boated
81 TOTAL

TOP TEAM STANDINGS
1. Port Vila Game Fishing Club – 2,000
2. Bay of Islands Swordfish Club #2 – 1,570
3. Game Fishing Club of South Australia – 1,219

TOP CAPTAIN STANDINGS
Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II – 1,920
Tim Hicks, Last Chance – 1,851
Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed – 1,600

— Find out more:
www.hibtfishing.com

Simon Brown with the tournament's biggest catch so far. Behind that marlin is Capt. Marlin Parker. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Special to Hawaii 24/7

Two hours into Day Four of the 52nd Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and Kona’s Captain Marlin Parker heard the reel scream.

Fishing in sector Juliet, just north of Kailua, Bay of Islands Swordfish Club #2 of New Zealand boated a major catch to propel the team into second place on the current leaderboard.

Angler Simon Brown battled the 540-pound Pacific blue marlin on 50-pound test line for just over two hours.

“Simon is an experienced angler and we had a strong fight. We got her to the back of the boat in good time,” Parker said.

“This is my first time here in Kona,” Brown said. “She was a huge fish and this is a huge experience here at HIBT.”

Brown’s catch is the largest fish of the 2011 Tournament to date and will be noted in the HIBT Major Catch category.

Other notable catches Thursday included one by the Pajaro Valley Gamefish Club #1, a team that has competed at HIBT for 50 years. To mark their golden anniversary in Kona, veteran angler Rocky Franich boated his 429-pound Pacific blue marlin on 80lb test line fishing aboard Topshape and captained by Al Gustavson.

Franich’s father was originally invited to fish HIBT 50 years ago.

“I will never forget it, I looked out the window of the plane and wondered if I would ever be back,” a nostalgic Franich said. “Well, I’ve been back ever since.”

This three-time winning HIBT team is ready for more action as the Tournament wraps up its final day of fishing Friday.

Buzz Colton, another HIBT veteran and team captain of Alii Brothers Marlin Hui, boated a 440- pound Pacific blue marlin.

“I’ve been fishing here at the HIBT since 2005. This is my first boated fish – I’ve caught plenty of tags, but this is my first fish boated,” Colton said. “The water was different today, just a bit choppy. Fishing down south paid off.”

Going into Day Four, Port Vila Game Fishing Club of Vanuatu was the team to beat, and both the team and Captain Rob Ellyn delivered.

In just five minutes, angler Andrew Neill was able to tag and release an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin while fishing on 50-pound test line.

Right behind him, team captain Adrien Mourgues tagged another Pacific blue marlin estimated at 125 pounds in just under ten minutes giving this team the top spot heading into tomorrow’s finals.

“The tides continue to play a big part in this year’s tournament,” said HIBT founder Peter Fithian. “Fish are biting later each day and the 2011 winners may well be decided at the last stroke of the clock tomorrow.”

Unloading one of Thursday's three boated marlins. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

DAILY CATCH (THURSDAY)
10 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
3 Pacific blue marlin boated
3 Short nose spearfish tagged & released

HIBT CUMULATIVE WEEK TOTAL
44 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
5 Pacific blue marlin weighed
1 Striped marlin tagged & released
15 Short nose spearfish tagged & released
3 Ahi boated
68 TOTAL

TOP 5 TEAM STANDINGS
1. Port Vila Game Fishing Club – 2,000
2. Bay of Islands Swordfish Club #2 – 1,470
3. Hilo Yacht Club – 1,200
4. PKU Sun Fun Club – 1,150
5. Old South Marlin Club #1 – 1,100

TOP CAPTAIN STANDINGS
Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed – 1,600
Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II – 1,520
Tim Hicks, Last Chance – 1,301

*Note: in the event of point ties, place standings are determined by the time the fish is boated.

Announcer Bob Herkes, Mayor Billy Kenoi and tournament founder Peter Fithian. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including team listings, IGFA world-record rules and a daily video recap of tournament standings, visit: www.hibtfishing.com

Big fish of the day: Game Fish Club of South Australia angler Ralph Czabayski boated a 389-pound Pacific blue marlin. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Special to Hawaii 24/7

Midway through the five-day running of the 52nd annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and the leaders are vying for key points.

Fishing pace skyrocketed on Day One and, while a bit more relaxed, anglers kept the tempo brisk on Days Two and Three.

Port Vila Game Fishing Club of Vanuatu jumped to the top position with another two Pacific blue marlin tags Wednesday.

Angler Murray Parsons, fishing aboard Sundowner and captained by long-time Kona skipper Randy Llanes, tagged and released an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin just after the lunch hour.

An hour later, teammate Andrew Mourgues tagged his first fish of the tournament in just five minutes. Both tagged marlin earned this rookie HIBT team enough points to take over the lead position with a cumulative score of 1,400 points.

“I tagged my fish in just about 5 minutes, an easy feat with Kona’s great captains and crews,” Mourgues said.

Consistency best describes another HIBT rookie team, China’s PKU Sun Fun Club, which has posted points on the scoreboard all three days.

Just outside Kailua Bay, fishing with Captain Marlin Parker aboard Marlin Magic II, angler Sun Zhedong tagged and released an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin in 17 minutes this morning.

This tag nudged PKU Sun Fun Club into second place, ahead of Old South Marlin Club #1 by just 50 points. Two-day leader Old South Marlin Club #1 came up empty handed on Day Three.

Another tight race to watch is the one brewing between Kona’s celebrated captains. Skippers and crewmembers are scored over the five days of tournament fishing right along with the anglers.

Tournament founder Peter Fithian has always felt it important to distinguish Kona’s talented fishing fleet as one that ranks among the world’s best.

Captain Tim Hicks of the Last Chance, a 43-foot Cabo, boated the Tournament’s only two Pacific blue marlin so far – all others have been tagged and released.

The Game Fish Club of South Australia drew this hot captain today and, fishing off South Kona in the area called Tango, angler Ralph Czabayski boated a 389-pound Pacific blue marlin in just over an hour.

The strategy that played into this catch yielded this team 619 points.

“The fish ate the lure, and before I knew it line was piling off the reel. About 400 yards away, I saw the splash, but never got a good look at the fish,” Hicks said. “This team knew the strategy of putting points on the board with a boated fish. My deck hand Ian Keinath had a gaff in one hand and a satellite tag in the other. As soon as I saw her sideways, I knew she was over the minimum boating weight of 300 pounds and Ian gaffed her.”

Weighing in at 389 pounds, Game Fish Club of South Australia confirmed what a good day – and good 19 years – it has been at HIBT.

Yes, this is the same Captain Hicks who was hooked up well into Tuesday evening until the estimated 700-pound Pacific blue marlin broke line after a three-hour fight by angler Mari Arakawa of the Olympian Dream Fishing Club of Japan.

“These teams along with our captains and crews must make split-second strategic decisions at the back of the boat. Do you tag the fish and take the 300 guaranteed points, or risk the higher reward and boat the fish? If you guess wrong, you could end up forfeiting the points if the fish does not make weight,” Fithian said. “With the large majority of our teams on the scoreboard, a weigh in can become a game changer. Today it was the perfect decision.”

The 2011 HIBT is comprised of five days of tournament fishing and continues through Friday, July 29.

DAILY CATCH (Wednesday)
8 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
1 Pacific blue marlin boated
4 Short nose spearfish tagged & released

HIBT CUMULATIVE WEEK TOTAL
34 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
2 Pacific blue marlin weighed
1 Striped marlin tagged & released
12 Short nose spearfish tagged & released
3 Ahi boated
52 TOTAL

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Port Vila Game Fishing Club – 1,400
2. PKU Sun Fun Club – 1,150
3. Old South Marlin Club #1 – 1,100

TOP CAPTAIN STANDINGS
Tim Hicks, Last Chance – 1,301
Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed – 1,000
David Bertuleit, Kona Seafari – 900
Chip Van Mols, Monkey Biz II – 900

*Note: in the event of point ties, place standings are determined by the time the fish is boated.

For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including team listings, IGFA world-record rules and a daily video recap of tournament standings, visit: www.hibtfishing.com

Port Vila Game Fishing Club of Vanuatu arrives at Kailua Pier aboard Sundowner after tagging and releasing two Pacific blue marlin. (Photo courtesy of HIBT)

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Special to Hawaii 24/7

The Old South Marlin Club #1 retained its two-day lead with another two fish adding valuable points to its overall total.

Angler Susan Ward, fishing aboard Anxious, a 33-foot Bertram, tagged an estimated 180-pound Pacific blue marlin using 50-pound test line.

“That was a tough fish and a tough fight. I can’t reel as fast as the guys, and the teamwork of Captain Neal Isaacs and his crew made all the difference,” Ward said.

Her husband caught his second shortnose spearfish in two days, giving Old South Marlin Club #1 enough points to hold first place on Day Two of this five-day sportfishing marathon.

Hilo Yacht Club, with three Pacific blue marlin tagged and released over two days, has vaulted into second place in the standings.

Beginners luck? Today China’s PKU Sun Fun Club tagged two Pacific blue marlin, launching themselves into third place on the HIBT scoreboard.

Fishing aboard Playtime, angler Duan Quancheng tagged his estimated 270-pound Pacific blue marlin in 42 minutes. Next up was first-time angler Yin Guochen, who tagged his estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin in a very impressive seven minutes.

“This is my first time ever catching a fish,” Gouchen said through an interpreter. “I liked it very much, and I thought seven minutes was pretty good for my first time.”

In fact, there are three new international teams debuting at the 2011 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament – China, Singapore and Vanuatu. All three teams managed to put points on the scoreboard.

Angler Ang Kha King, fishing with Singapore’s Xtreme Anglers, tagged an estimated 270-pound Pacific blue marlin in just over 40 minutes. Port Vila Game Fishing Club from Vanuatu also put points on the scoreboard today when angler Murray Parsons tagged an estimated 250-pound Pacific blue marlin in just six minutes.

Vanuatu and the Port Vila Game Fishing Club are known for excellent fishing action in their corner of the southern Pacific.

“Our new international teams are very competitive anglers who have immediately inserted themselves in the fishing action here at HIBT,” Tournament Founder Peter Fithian said. “Kona waters have a well earned reputation among the international fishing community. This week is no exception – calm seas, beautiful skies, a highly skilled fleet and very enticing billfish. It’s the reason these great sportfishing anglers from around the globe will be back again and again.”

Angler Janice Allan from Whangaroa Game Fishing Club of New Zealand tagged an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin, earning points for her team and sliding into second place on the women’s leader board.

Veteran HIBT angler Fred Duerr of the Malibu Marlin Club boated his 162-pound ahi in 30 minutes.

“This ahi wanted to continue swimming with its school. The line was getting chafed by other ahi in the school bumping it. I knew I had to reel it in quick,” Duerr said.

In all, 13 billfish were tagged and released on Day Two – 9 Pacific blue marlin and four short nose spearfish – plus one qualifying ahi.

The 2011 HIBT is comprised of five days of tournament fishing and continues through Friday, July 29.

DAILY CATCH (Tuesday)
9 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
4 Short nose spearfish tagged & released
1 Ahi boated

HIBT CUMULATIVE WEEK TOTAL
25 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
1 Pacific blue marlin weighed
1 Striped marlin tagged & released
8 Short nose spearfish tagged & released
3 Ahi boated
38 TOTAL

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Old South Marlin Club #1 – 1,100
2. Hilo Yacht Club – 900
3. PKU Sun Fun Club – 850

TOP CAPTAIN STANDINGS
Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed – 700
Tim Hicks, Last Chance – 682
Jeff Fay, Humdinger – 600
David Bertuleit, Kona Seafari – 600
Jason Holtz, Marlin Magic – 600

*Note: in the event of point ties, place standings are determined by the time the fish is boated.

For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including team listings, IGFA world-record rules and a daily video recap of tournament standings, log onto www.hibtfishing.com

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Special to Hawaii 24/7

As the sun rose over Mount Hualalai, 27 teams were already gathering at Kailua Pier in excited anticipation of the first day of fishing at the 52nd annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.

Danny Akaka, son of U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and respected Big Island kupuna, delivered the traditional Hawaiian blessing and the teams were given the go-ahead start fishing signal at precisely 7:30 a.m.

HIBT anglers were ready to go as all teams were loaded aboard the impressive fishing fleet and on the starting line with 15 minutes to spare.

The first two anglers to put points on the board this year were Susan Ward fishing with Old South Marlin Club #1 from North Carolina and Sally Kurz with Laguna Niguel Billfish Club-Col. Brooks Morris Memorial Team #1 from California.

Close behind the wahine anglers was veteran HIBT angler and captain of the Kona Game Fishing Club-Taivo, Masaharu Matsushita.

By the time the first official Tournament roundup was announced at 10 a.m., eight Pacific blue marlin and two short-nose spearfish had been tagged and released, earning valuable HIBT team points.

By lunchtime, Team Old South Marlin Club #1 had tagged three qualifying billfish, PKU Sun Fun, China’s first HIBT team ever, had tagged its first Pacific blue marlin and 13 other teams had put points on the scoreboard.

“This is not my first fish here at HIBT, but it’s certainly great to be first today,” said Susan Ward, Team Old South Marlin Club #1. “And can you believe that just 50 minutes later my husband Randy tagged a short-nose spearfish. What a wonderful morning here in Kona!”

Members of the Old South Marlin Club have been fishing for years, yet a short-nose spearfish had managed to elude Randy Ward’s lifetime catch list.

Back home in North Carolina, Ward received weekly calls from other Old South Marlin Club members taunting him about joining their short-nose spearfish club. Well, today he joins their ranks as the newest, and very proud, club member.

Miss Billfish 2011 Danielle Hubbard, Allen McGee and his big fish. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Not to be outdone, Allen McGee, angler with Laguna Niguel Billfish Club-Col. Brooks Morris Memorial Team #1 boated the day’s only Pacific blue marlin, weighing in at 482 pounds.

“There was quite a lot of action throughout the morning, but this girl waited until the afternoon to bite. She put up a good battle, flipping and jumping. In the end, we boated her and put good points up on the scoreboard,” McGee said. “Our team has been a three-time winner here at HIBT and we anticipate putting more points on the scoreboard by week’s end.”

At the end of day one of the 52nd HIBT, points were awarded for 18 Pacific blue marlin, one boated, a striped marlin, 4 short-nose spearfish and 2 boated ahi.

“As the teams were boarding this morning, you could feel the camaraderie and competitive spirit of the anglers fill the air,” HIBT Founder Peter Fithian said. “Teams that have been coming to this tournament for a long time know what it takes to win. Our new teams sense the importance of Kona’s waters and they are here to fish and win. If today’s fishing action is an indicator, our HIBT tournament week will be a very busy one.”

HIBT rules note that billfish points are awarded for any Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, short-nose spearfish and broadbill swordfish that weigh in at 300 pounds or more. Tuna are awarded points per pound that weigh in at 100 pounds and more.

Bonus points are given for weighed fish over 500 pounds, for the heaviest qualifying marlin each day and the heaviest qualifying marlin of the tournament.

Qualifying tagged and released billfish are awarded valuable points computed on line weights of 80- or 50-pound test.

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the County of Hawaii and sponsored in part by KWXX Radio and numerous other corporate and community donors.

The 2011 HIBT is comprised of five days of tournament fishing and continues through Friday, July 29.

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

DAILY CATCH (Monday)

16 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
1 Pacific blue marlin weighed
1 Striped marlin tagged & released
4 Short nose spearfish tagged & released
2 Ahi boated

HIBT WEEK TOTAL

16 Pacific blue marlin tagged & released
1 Pacific blue marlin weighed
1 Striped marlin tagged & released
4 Short nose spearfish tagged & released
2 Ahi boated

24 TOTAL

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Old South Marlin Club #1 – 700 points
2. Laguna Niguel Billfish Club #1 – 682 points
3. Hilo Yacht Club – 600 points

*Note: in the event of point ties, place standings are determined by the time the fish is boated.

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Future HIBT dates:

* 2012 HIBT Aug. 12-18, including five days of tournament fishing Aug. 13-17

* 2013 HIBT Aug. 4-10, including five days of tournament fishing Aug. 5-9

* 2014 HIBT July 27-Aug. 2, including five days of tournament fishing July 28-Aug. 1

For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including team listings, IGFA world-record rules and a daily video recap of tournament standings, visit www.hibtfishing.com

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

52nd Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament

Official Team List

1 Old South Marlin Club #2 – North Carolina
2 Team Lantana – Florida
3 Bay of Islands Swordfish Club #1 – New Zealand
4 Laguna Niguel Billfish Club – Col. Brooks Morris Memorial Team #1 – California
5 Kona Game Fishing Club – Taiyo – Hawaii & Japan
6 Aussie Invaders – Australia
7 Mooloolaba Game Fishing Club – Australia
8 Kona Game Fishing Club – Kusatsu – Japan
9 Bay of Islands Swordfish Club #2 – New Zealand
10 Bay of Islands Swordfish Club #3 – New Zealand
11 Laguna Niguel Billfish Club – Col. Brooks Morris Memorial Team #2 – California
12 Pajaro Valley Gamefish Club #1 – California
13 Team Outer Limit – Florida
14 Team Ko’Olina – Hawaii
15 Olympian Dream Fishing Club – Japan
16 Alii Brothers Marlin Hui – California & Hawaii
17 Whangaroa Game Fishing Club – New Zealand
18 Xtreme Anglers – Singapore
19 Shoalhaven Game Fishing Club – Australia
20 Malibu Marlin Club – California
21 Fremantle Sailing Club, Team 1 – Australia
22 Team Malaka – California
23 Port Vila Game Fishing Club – Vanuatu
24 Balboa Angling Club – California
25 Lawai’a Mau Loa (WPRFMC) – Hawaii & Guam
26 Kona Game Fishing Club – Saitama – Japan
27 Hilton Grand Vacations Fishing Club – Ohana – Japan
28 Old South Marlin Club #1 – North Carolina
29 Hilo Yacht Club (Private team) – Hawaii
30 Protea Team – South Africa
31 Lae Game Fishing Club – PNG – Papua New Guinea
32 PKU – Sun Fun Club – China
33 Game Fishing Club of South Australia
34 Louisiana Hot Sauce Angling Club

——

HIBT 2011 Official Schedule of Events

* Daily Round-ups at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.

Monday, July 25

6:45 a.m. – Hawaiian Blessing on VHF radio
7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Day 1 Fishing
9 a.m.-6 p.m. HIBT Boutique open at HQ and Pier
4:30 p.m. – Stop fishing
4:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins at Kailua Pier
4-6 p.m. – Shouting Room at Kailua Pier

Tuesday, July 26

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Day 2 Fishing
9 a.m.-6 p.m. HIBT Boutique open at HQ and Pier
4:30 p.m. – Stop fishing
4:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins at Kailua Pier
4-6 p.m. – Shouting Room at Kailua Pier
7-9 p.m. – Science Night at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, featuring the Great Marlin Race

Wednesday, July 27

7 a.m.-4 p.m. – Day 3 Fishing
9 a.m.-6 p.m. HIBT Boutique open at HQ and Pier
4 p.m. – Stop fishing
4 p.m. – Weigh-ins at Kailua Pier
4-6 p.m. – Shouting Room at Kailua Pier

Thursday, July 28

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Day 4 Fishing
9 a.m.-6 p.m. HIBT Boutique open at HQ and Pier
4:30 p.m. – Stop fishing
4:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins at Kailua Pier
4-6 p.m. – Shouting Room at Kailua Pier

Friday, July 29

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Day 3 Fishing
9 a.m.-6 p.m. HIBT Boutique open at HQ and Pier
4:30 p.m. – Stop fishing
4:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins at Kailua Pier
4 p.m. – Shouting Room at Kailua Pier
7 p.m. Southern Style BBQ Party at the Shouting Tent

Saturday, July 30

8 a.m. – Kendal Cup – Makalei Golf Course
5-6:30 p.m. – Crying Towel / Cocktail Reception
6:30-9 p.m. – Dinner, Entertainment & Awards Ceremony

For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including team listings, IGFA world-record rules and a daily video recap of tournament standings, visit www.hibtfishing.com

MEDIA RELEASE

The 16th Annual Huggo’s Wahine Tournament is set for Saturday, July 30. Hawaii’s only all-women tournament is looking for wahine (women) anglers for its legendary tournament of fun, sun and of course, great fishing along the Kona coast.

Entry fee is $400 per team and includes four anglers, captain and crew aboard some of Kona’s legendary charter boat fleet.

This year’s tournament is themed “Wicky Wacky Hukilau Hula Luau.” Huggo’s Wahine Tournament anglers and teams are encouraged to don the most outlandish, vintage or contemporary hula luau attire and get ready to hula.

The tournament is av annual fundraiser for non-profit community organizations, this year the Family Support Services of West Hawaii will benefit. This event has a special camaraderie among the all-women teams and this worthwhile community organization.

Over the past years more than $97,000 has been donated to charity.

Huggo’s Wahine Tournament teams compete for cash and prizes with the team scoring the most points during Saturday’s tournament taking home the bragging rights and great prizes.

The tournament gives scoreboard points for Pacific Blue marlin tagged and released under 300 pounds and points for fish boated over 300 pounds.

Entry forms are available for the first 75 teams and are due no later than July 28.

Interested wahine can pick up entry forms at Huggo’s Restaurant, The Charter Desk at Honokohau Harbor and Pacific Rim Fishing Supplies. Entry forms also may be downloaded at www.huggos.com

“The Huggo’s Wahine Tournament is one of the largest ladies fishing tournament in the world,” angler Sue Vermillion said. “The volunteers have so much fun planning the tournament, and the proceeds go to such a good cause, it’s a win-win event for everybody involved.”

The tournament briefing is 6 p.m. Friday, July 29 at Huggo’s “On the Rocks” bar. The full day of fishing starts 8 a.m. Saturday July 30 from Kailua Bay.

The weigh-ins are at the Fuel Dock/ Charter Desk located at Honokohau Harbor at 4 p.m. after the call of stop fishing. The public is welcome to attend the weigh-ins.

The Awards Banquet is 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31 at Huggo’s “On the Rocks” bar.

For more information call 329-2840 or visit www.huggos.com

Special to Hawaii 24/7

Kona is to blue marlin fishing as Pebble Beach is to golf – an “old school” name in an ever-increasing swarm of flashy brands. But along with being an established brand comes a certain reputation that does not always hold up to closer inspection.

The Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series just turned the corner of the midpoint in the season. Now that the first three events are over – catch statistics this summer are helping to dispel some common misconception concerning the “old school” reputation of Kona.

Ninety-four percent of all the marlin caught in the first three tournaments have been tagged and released alive – back into the ocean they go. The figures, to be exact, are 114 of 121 marlin released.

The total available purse to date from the first three events was $616,060 and again, more than 90 percent of the teams pocketing this purse had tag and released marlin on their scorecards.

The season began with the suitably re-branded Kona Kick Off. Thirty-six teams caught 18 marlin of which one was kept to win the Largest Marlin category – a 718 pounder by Joe Gallegos on “Strong Persuader;” a world class catch in anyone’s book.

Next up was the 23rd Annual Firecracker Open where more myths were debunked. Sea Genie II took top honors with a tag and a 641 pounder by the team of Paul Dolinoy and Mike Cipolla.

After the 641 pounder was weighed, Paul elected to stay on shore and Mike hooked into another marlin estimated to be “hundreds of pounds” larger.

The team calculated it did not need any more points to win the tournament, and decided to release this fish, even though it could have been a coveted “grander.”

Just prior to tagging, the marlin released itself and swam away. The end result was the same.

Bubba Brown on Capt. Kevin Nakamaru’s “Northern Lights” took second with a tagged marlin and a 512 pounder. However, Bubba and his team earned the most money, laying claim to $122,520 by sweeping the lucrative optional categories.

Third place in the Firecracker Open was a tie with two boats at 600 points – both with tag points only.

The next event, the Skins Marlin Derby is the premier Big Marlin event on the circuit, and although the field narrowed to 34 teams, the purse climbed to $293,280. The “elite” of the sport made their appearance, albeit in shorts and barefoot on the deck.

Sixty marlin were caught and three were taken to the scales. Two of these earned a daily “Skins” purse of $27,200 each. The third marlin weighed just missed the 500-pound mark, but still earned a large chunk of change when combined for points in optional categories.

Wahine “local girl” angler Heather Masunaga caught the largest “Skin” fish at 676.5 pounds with her dad Kerwin at the wheel of “Rod Bender.” Tim Rainey on “Maui Jim” grabbed the next Skin with a squeaker at 506 pounds, just 6 pounds over the minimum.

Team “Humdinger” claimed the Third daily “Skin” purse with five marlin tagged and released and zero weighed on their scorecard. In the Skins Derby, any “Skin” money not claimed by a fish over 500 pounds is awarded to the team with top total points. Capt. Jeff Fay’s 1,000 tag and release ruled on the third and final day.

Every single dollar paid out in the Skins Marlin Derby went to teams with tag and release on their scorecard, but catching the “monster of the day” certainly helped two teams.

The Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series moves into the Second Half in August with the Big Island Marlin Tournament followed by the Lazy Marlin Hunt. The September Challenge returns for its second year in the third week of that month, as the final competition of the season.

Each year, a Series Champion is crowned at an invitation only tournament held the weekend after the Skins Marlin Derby. To follow along with the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series, visit www.konatournaments.co…

To watch past national TV coverage episodes of the HMTS, visit www.pacificexpeditions…

So far in the 2011 season, Kona has lived up to its “kahuna” reputation as the Blue Marlin Capital of the World, but it has added a new image while burying and old myth: in Kona, tag and release rules. But whether you boat ‘em or tag and release ‘em, Kona is still the best place on earth to catch large blue marlin.

An old institution withstands the tests of time by changing with it, while remaining steadfast to tradition.

Most modern day fishing techniques for marlin and tuna were developed by Hawaiians, but new “norms” have evolved as the sport has spread across the globe. Kona – like Pebble Beach – doesn’t adopt every new fad and gimmick that hits the tour, but quietly accepts quality innovation and improves on it.

So in Kona, blazers and slacks are not required as T-shirts and flip-flops will get you into all the hallowed halls of the sport.

You can wear blazers and slacks if you want, and many do. But not many do it more than once.

It’s just that kind of a place.

— Find out more:

hmtskona.wordpress.com…

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU — In preparation for the September 1, 2011 opening of the main Hawaiian Islands bottomfish fishery, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will hold free statewide public workshops, starting July 23, on the new bottomfish fishery rules and regulations.

The workshops will feature interactive booths with information on the new state annual bottomfish vessel registration and new state commercial bottomfish reporting requirements.

In addition, there will be information on the changes to the bottomfish Deep-7 annual quota from a total allowable catch (TAC) to an annual catch limit (ACL) and what this means. Plus information on the federal non-commercial bottomfish permit and reporting program.

A forum will also be conducted by Council staff on the options for non-commercial fishery data collection.

Locations and dates for the statewide workshops Admission is free, and parking will be validated, where applicable.

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Strong Persuader, captained by Shane O’Brien, won the Kona Kick Off fishing tournament this weekend, after hauling in a 718-lb. marlin.

Angler Joe Gallegos, fishing aboard the Strong Persuader, was the top point-getter in the first of the 2011 Kona Tournaments, which wrapped up Sunday.

Leilani wins Largest Ono Division with a 34.5-lb ono caught by Lisa Aukai.

Lepika wins Largest Ahi Division with a 129.5-lb ahi caught by Darrell Stokes.

The final points tally put Strong Persuader well ahead (918 points) of Marlin Magic II, Marlin Magic I, Topshape and Kila Kila (all on 400 points).

The Kona Kick Off is the first event in the 25th Annual Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series. A “Four Flags” tournament, the largest marlin earns 40 percent of the base purse, and the largest ahi, ono and mahi each earn 20 percent of the base purse. There are optional daily entries as well.

Next up is the Firecracker Open, which runs July 1-3.

Kona’s signature “Big Game” Tournament that scores ahi and marlin points for the base purse. Optional categories for the largest marlin and ahi of each day and of the two day tournament.

— Full catch report:
www.konatournaments.co…

— Find out more:
www.konatournaments.co…

Angler Daron Castoro pulled in a 27 pound Ono on boat 'Kona Blue' skippered by Captain Dave Crawford Saturday (June 25). Photo by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Boat check-in at Honokohau Harbor at the end of the first day of the Kona Kick Off fishing tournament. Photo by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

The Kona Kick Off – the first of seven summer fishing tournaments – blasted off Saturday with 36 boats, captains and anglers competing for approximately $90,000.

Eleven blue marlin were tagged and released during in Day 1 of the tournament, including a 718-lb. behemoth.

Fishing aboard Strong Persuader, Joe Gallegos brought in big beast about 10:30 a.m.

Captained by Shane O’Brien, Strong Persuader holds the lead for Largest Blue Marlin after Day 1.

Fishing aboard the Leilani, angler Lisa Aukai lead the largest ono category after Day 1 with a 31-lb ono.

Fishing wraps up Sunday, followed by the awards party 6 p.m. at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club.

The Kona Kick Off is the first event in the 25th Annual Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series. A “Four Flags” tournament, the largest marlin earns 40 percent of the base purse, and the largest ahi, ono and mahi each earn 20 percent of the base purse.

More than 30 marlin have been caught off Kona in June. This includes: two 900+, five 700+ and four 500+ pounders.

— Find out more:
www.konatournaments.co…

Joe Gallegos with the first blue marlin of the 2011 Kona Kick Off at 718 lbs. (Photo courtesy of Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series)

Angler Lisa Aukai with 31-lb ono. (Photo courtesy of Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series)

(Photo courtesy of Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series)

MEDIA RELEASE

Some people have the mistaken impression that Hawaii is all about beaches and surfboards. Hawaii Five – O. Maybe bikinis… war god tike mail boxes.

The reality is Big Island life is often more about fishing and ranching than surf and sand.

Polynesians caught ocean fish for thousands of years from canoes, and Hawaiians invented the game fishing techniques now used world wide. On the Kona coast, canoes have been replaced with high powered game boats. This is well known.

It is not as well known that Kona is where fishing Hawaiians moved from canoes to horses to become “Paniolo”, the word for the Hawaiian cowboy.

Fishermen and paniolo are as authentic to Hawaii as pig to a luau. The real deal.

The marlin fishermen and the paniolo take center stage when top riders from Professional Bull Riders (PBR) arrive on the Big Island for two days of tournament fishing for marlin, after three days of paniolo activities..

The big marlin have arrived early this season in Kona and just in time for the launch of the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series. In the first two weeks of June alone, more than 30 blue marlin have been caught out of Honokohau Harbor.

Nearly one-third of these fish were in excess of 500 lbs; including two fish weighing nearly a 1,000 pounds each.

The big blues are here just in time for the Kona Kick Off Tournament, which begins June 25. Adding to the tournament excitement this year, top bull riders Sean Willingham and McKennon Wimberly of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) will compete and try their hand at wrestling a large animal of a different sort.

While bull riding and big game fishing may sound like a strange combination, both combine the thrilling element of battling one to one with a wild animal that can weigh 1,000 pounds or more.

“A key difference is a lone bull rider has to hold on to a bull for eight seconds. Not to say that is easy – or sane. A bull rider can get beat up by earth and animal and hurt badly” said Tournament Director Jody Bright. “Marlin fishing is actually a team sport. The first phase is more like cutting calves than bull riding because the skipper and angler work together to out maneuver the animal. Once the marlin is within 20 to 30 feet, the “wireman” wraps the line around his hand and goes mano a mano with a fish that can weigh up to 1,800 pounds – THIS is the ocean going version of bull riding.

“Angling a marlin can last hours, but a wireman can often tussle with a ‘digger’ for more than 5 minutes – on a pitching deck. A wireman can be pulled over the side and drown. More than one has gone over, never to be seen again. To fully understand this type of challenge, it that has to be experienced ‘first hand.’” Pun intended.

David Neal Productions will document the exploits of Team PBR and excerpts from this trip will be broadcast during the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series Events on national TV, arena “jumbotrons” and through PBR web TV.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series. Seven tournaments make up the Series and run from July through September.

Top anglers and captains from around the world compete annually for a prize package often worth more than $1 million in cash and prizes.

The Series is produced by Tropidilla Productions, LLC in association with the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

For more information, call the HMTS Office at (808) 557-0908 or visit the HMTS website at www.konatournaments.co…

A mailbox in Hawaiian ranch country - obviously owned by fishing paniolo! (Photo courtesy of Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series)

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU— The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reminds the public that the moi fishing season is closed beginning Wednesday, June 1, 2011. State regulations make it unlawful for any person to take, possess, or sell any moi during June, July, and August.

“Moi is one of Hawaii’s most significant fish species, from a cultural perspective,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson. “At one time it was reserved only for royalty. Today we still value it as one of our most sought-after reef fishes.”

“The closed season helps sustain moi populations by protecting them during the critical summer spawning period,” he continued.

The early Hawaiians also placed a kapu or prohibition on certain fish during their spawning season as a conservation measure.

“We ask for the fishing public’s help in complying with the closed season,” added Aila. “If we are to have fish for the future, we need to share the responsibility and take care of our ocean.”

During the open season – September through May –the minimum size for moi is 11 inches, and the bag limit for possession and/or sale is 15. However, a commercial marine dealer may possess and sell more than 15 moi during the open season with receipts issued for the purchase.

Copies of Hawai‘i’s fishing regulations are available at DLNR’s Aquatic Resources offices, most fishing supply stores, and online at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/re…

To report fishing violations, call 643-DLNR (3567).

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reminds the public that the season for taking ula and ula papapa (spiny and slipper lobsters) and Kona crabs in state waters will be closed starting this Sunday, May 1. The closed season extends through the end of August.

Hawaii Administrative Rules prohibit the taking, killing, sale or offering for sale, or possession of any ula, also known as spiny lobster (Panulirus penicillatus, P. marginatus) and ula papapa or slipper lobster (Scyllarides squammosus, S. haanii) from state waters during the closed season.

It is also illegal to take, possess, or sell Kona crab during May through August.

“These rules are in place to protect lobsters and Kona crabs during the summer months, which are the peak of their reproductive season, and to help ensure their populations will continue to be sustainable,” said William J. Aila, Jr. DLNR chairperson.

However, any commercial marine dealer may sell, or any hotel, restaurant, or other public eating house may serve spiny or slipper lobster lawfully caught during the open season by first procuring a license to do so pursuant to section 13-74-41, Hawaii Administrative Rules.

During the open season, catching, taking or possessing of female spiny and slipper lobsters and female Kona crab is prohibited as a result of the passage of Act 77 by the 2006 State Legislature.

Also during the open season, any spiny or slipper lobster, or Kona crab, caught with eggs must immediately be returned to the waters from which it was taken. Taking or killing of females is prohibited year round.

The Hawai‘i Fishing Regulations booklet, available at all Division of Aquatic Resources offices and most fishing supply stores, shows how to determine the sex of spiny lobsters and Kona crabs. Or go online to hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/re…

For more information on regulations concerning these and other marine invertebrates, including minimum sizes, go to hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/re… or call the Division of Aquatic Resources.

To report any violation of these or other fishing regulations call the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at 643-DLNR.