Veteran anglers from Laguna Niguel Billfish Club No. 2 knew they needed to post valuable points in today’s Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament to break away from a crowded four-way tie for second place. Fishing aboard Strong Persuader, angler Chuck Salinger
Veteran anglers from Laguna Niguel Billfish Club No. 2 knew they needed to post valuable points in today’s Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament to break away from a crowded four-way tie for second place. Fishing aboard Strong Persuader, angler Chuck Salinger seized his opportunity. “As soon as the marlin hit, I knew this tag and release would be an important one for our team,” said Salinger. It took him just three minutes to tag and release the estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin. After Tuesday’s fishing, the Laguna Nigel team captured the lead with 900 cumulative points.
Laguna Nigel have won three HIBT championships (2008, 1986, 1985).
Mayor Billy Kenoi was at Kailua Pier Tuesday for weigh-ins and commented on the longevity of the 54-year-old event. “The HIBT is one of those events that really highlights the assets of Hawaii Island,” Kenoi said. “Peter Fithian deserves so much credit for having this vision five decades ago to grow tourism on our island. Maui, Kauai and Oahu cannot claim to be the big game fish capital of the world — we can. I’m very appreciative of the hard work volunteers, participants and supporters have put forth to make this so special.”
Former leader, Game Fishing Club of South Australia managed to tag a short nose spearfish in the final hour of Day 2 fishing to hoist their two-day total to 715 points. Singapore’s Le Anglers Club holds third place, 15 points behind Game Fishing Club of South Australia.
“You’ve got to use strategy to win this tournament and a key factor is the HIBT tag and release rule,” said Tournament Director Robbie Engelhard. “Boat a fish under 300 pounds, no HIBT points. Tag a fish under 300 pounds and release it back into the ocean, and you earn valuable HIBT points.”
