KAILUA-KONA — For some of the teams in the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, Monday brought a day of blue skies and calm seas with sweeping views of the the Big Island’s west coast. ADVERTISING KAILUA-KONA — For some of the
KAILUA-KONA — For some of the teams in the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, Monday brought a day of blue skies and calm seas with sweeping views of the the Big Island’s west coast.
The fortunate teams had that as well some more tangible evidence of their day on the waters.
China Sea Wolf Club, aboard Rod Bender, was the only team to catch two blue marlins on the day.
Team captain Shen Wei nabbed a 200-pounder at 11:45 a.m. after an 18-minute battle while teammate Ji Xinhua landed a 150-pounder.
“We are very happy with today,” Shen said through translator Joanne Zhang of Hilo. “We hope that in the coming days we will catch more fish.”
He’s hoping not only to improve upon his numbers over the next four days, but to feel better as well.
“Because of the jet lag, we didn’t feel well on the boat, even though we are very experienced fishermen,” he said. “I felt, overall, it was very good. Hopefully I can catch more fish.”
The Friends of Kenya team, making its debut aboard Topshape, needed about four hours to get its first bite from a marlin – and just nine minutes to reel it in.
“I’ve caught blue marlin in the Indian Ocean, blue marlin in the Atlantic and it was my first one in the Pacific,” said Mark Allen, captain of the Friends of Kenya team.
Allen, who has anglers Mark Smith and Peter Ruysenaar as teammates, said his members are learning as they go.
“We’re virgins to Hawaii fishing, so we don’t really know what to expect,” he said. “Talking to everybody, if you get a marlin a day, you’ll be in the points, which makes prizes.”
Allen was quite content with his catch, which was estimated at 150 pounds. The team received a bonus for catching it on 50-pound test line as opposed to 80-pound test line.
“I don’t want to be in the lead in the first day,” Allen said. “You’re always to be knocked off (if you’re in the lead). It’s yours to lose and not to win. It won’t be over until the fat lady sings on Friday at 4:30.”
Bob Hill of Game Fishing Club of South Australia caught the day’s biggest ahi at 204 pounds.
“The marlin fishing was a bit slow, but that’s fishing,” said Hill, was taking part in the event for the first time. “We understand that. When you come to these competitions, you don’t expect the fish to be jumping all over your lures. It was just fun being out there with the boats. Everyone was having a good time. The fishing was great, and we enjoyed the camaraderie.”
The Old South Marlin Club had a memorable battle with an ahi, as it took angler Susan Ward nearly four hours to reel in the 170-pounder.
Note: Official HIBT first day results were not available by presstime. For complete results, go to: hibtfishing.com
