Dozens of anglers competing in last weekend’s two-day annual 37th Marshalls Billfish Club tournament caught eight qualifying billfish, with Damien Milne on Bakaro reeling in the two biggest ones at 415 and 330 lbs.
Milne also won total qualifying pounds for his marlin catches. Ronnie Reimers on Kirtake hauled in a 323 lbs marlin to take third place. He also won the prestigious Atjang Paul Memorial Trophy that honors sportsmanship — his fourth since his first in 1993. He and Bwiji Aliven are tied for most Atjang trophies in MBC history. This year’s President’s Cup, which recognizes consistent fishing through the year, went to Aliven for the seventh time since his first Cup in 1994.
Two big yellowfin highlighted the tuna competition, with Odysseus Riklon on Lyani taking first with a 96 lbs yellowfin, and John Lang on Milan just behind him at 94 lbs.
Baron Bigler fishing on LiManbweini caught the biggest barracuda at 21 lbs. and Mack Capelle fishing on Lionmeto caught the biggest travelly at 16 lbs.
This year’s Miss Billfish Iesha Abner Floor greeted all returning anglers at weigh in and also graced the banquet awards ceremony Monday evening at Jitak.
Read more about this in the July 12, 2019 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.