The digital age has come to billfish land. The just-concluded Budweiser All Micronesia Fishing Tournament generated 38 tagged and released fish, an all-time high in the 24 years this international event has been hosted by the Marshalls Billfish Club.
Tag and release fish require fishermen to show a digital photo of the fish they caught and released in order to qualify for points at the weigh in. Saturday’s actual weigh in was modest, with a majority of tag and releases reported in by many of the 17 boats fishing. Sunday changed the picture a bit, as three marlin were weighed in. All told 12 billfish and 26 tuna were tagged and released for points during the two day competition.
Team Santo Island #2, captained by Chad McGlinn, reeled in a 268 pound marlin, the tournament’s biggest, and good for $1,000. MBC #1, captained by President’s Cup and Atjang Paul winner Kyle Aliven, took first place with 660 total points and $2,000 for fish weighed in and tagged and released. Roi Ohana #2, captained by April Simon, came in second in total points with 430, good for $1,000, while Team Budweiser Ambros, captained by Paul Shimizu, took third with 415 total points to pick up $500.
Meantime, Captain Dirk Roesler and Team Tight Lines caught a 196 pound marlin for second place, and Team Santo Island #1, captained by Aikner Rubon, pulled in a 173 pound marlin for third.
Fifteen of the 17 teams that competed caught fish during the two days. Only Team Samurai and Team China were unlucky.
Read more about this in the September 9, 2016 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.