KAILUA-KONA — After three days of fishing, it’s all tied up at the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, and more than a few teams are just a fortunate bite away from winning it all.
KAILUA-KONA — After three days of fishing, it’s all tied up at the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, and more than a few teams are just a fortunate bite away from winning it all.
One fish separates the top five teams and top four charter boats in the standings. Old South Marlin Club —International and Malibu Marlin Club are tied with 900 points, follow by Mermaid Anglers Club – Kalaoa Garden in third at 800.
Old South Marlin Club – International fished on Bite Me 6, skippered by Deneen Wargo — this year’s sole female charter boat captain. Angler Dan Briggs fought an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin for just seven minutes before tagging and releasing the fish.
Malibu Marlin Club was shut out for a second day after three tags on Day 1, and Mermaid Anglers Club – Kalaoa Garden also managed to stay in the top three despite no points on Wednesday.
Rounding out the top four places is Australia’s Perth Game Fishing Club, thanks to a tag on Wednesday. Fishing aboard Sapo, captained by Chris Choy, angler Phil Volich tagged and released an estimated 120-pound Pacific blue marlin in an impressive four minutes.
Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby Game Fishing Club shot up the scoreboard with two tags. Team captain Joanne Crosby tagged and released an estimated 250-pound Pacific blue marlin. Almost an hour later, angler Anthony Trueman-Farrell tagged and released his first Pacifc blue marlin of the tournament in just three minutes. The valuable tags put Port Moresby Game Fishing Club in a three-way tie with Australia’s Geraldton &Districts Offshore Fishing Club and New Zealand’s Ahipara Game Fishing Club at 600 points.
HIBT ties are settled by count back, meaning place is given on time or more simply, the team and or captain and crew that scores first will have the higher place. But with two full days of tournament fishing to go, there could be many changes still to come.
The five-day tournament continues through Friday.