PORT ALLEN — The fish were biting for those who braved the winds Saturday at the annual Port Allen Fishing Club Derby. Michael Niau, aboard the Contak, hooked up with a 160-pound marlin early in the day-long tournament, but stuck
PORT ALLEN — The fish were biting for those who braved the winds Saturday at the annual Port Allen Fishing Club Derby.
Michael Niau, aboard the Contak, hooked up with a 160-pound marlin early in the day-long tournament, but stuck around to see if that catch would be challenged.
Throughout the day, reports came across the radio set up at the Port Allen Small Boat Harbor, but none seemed heavier than Niau’s submission.
“You have to stick around because when they call in, it’s just estimates,” Niau said. “Sometimes it’s heavier, so you just have to wait.”
Fortunately for Niau, the early marlin topped all others in the class, one of five being weighed at the tournament.
Following Niau, Floyd Sugimura Jr. aboard All Action came in with a 124.4-pound catch, followed by Cole Gowan aboard Tropic Bird at 114 pounds.
A late hook up by Burk Kuykendall aboard Kai Lani rounded out that division at 107.2 pounds.
“The ahi are biting” was the conversation floating above the crowd of spectators gathered for the weigh-in at the Port Allen Small Boat Harbor, and eyes scanned the horizon for signs of the flying bridge of the Carol Ann.
When the boat skippered by Jordan “JD” Ornellas showed, the crowd was not disappointed as Ornellas fielded a 171.8-pound ahi to top that class, the big catch also being the heaviest fish submitted.
Earlier, Darren Galas aboard the Keiki Kai had the lead with his 138.6-pound ahi. That fish was relegated to second place following Ornellas’ weigh in. Jimmy Horner, bringing in the first Ahi, was pushed to third place at 131 pounds.
Jason Wachi aboard the Cindi Ann did not bother to pull his boat alongside the scale, but came up carting his 54.2-pound ono, described as a wahoo for the benefit of Mainland visitors, that topped that class.
Keala Kananui aboard the Parker 28 followed with a 37.8-pounder and Herbert Keamoai aboard the Manu Kai filled in third place at 33 pounds in the ono class.
Edward Horner aboard the Carol Ann II also had his crew member slinging the mahimahi across his shoulder as the crewman made his way through the throng of people gathered around the flurry of activity on the pier area, the crowd scrambling for shelter when a late-afternoon squall wet down the area.
That fish topped the class at 30.8 pounds followed by a 14.4-pound submitted by John “JB” Bollman aboard the Beach Jumper. Galas filled in third and fourth places with fish weighing in at 13.6 pounds and 12.8 pounds, respectively.
The heaviest aku belonged to Roger Palama aboard the Malukai that stopped the scales at 23.6 pounds. Willam Victorino aboard the Tiana Marie filled in the No. 2 and 3 berths with fish weighing in at 15.8 pounds and 12.8 pounds, respectively.
Thirty-eight boats took part in the annual derby with hopes that more will be participating in next year’s event, said a spokesperson from the Port Allen Fishing Club who watched a colorful rainbow appear above the ridge of the harbor.
Port Allen Fishing Club Derby
Saturday
Ahi
Carol Ann 171.8#, Keiki Kai 138.6#, Kamiinani 131#, Keiki Kai 129.80#, Kai Lani 127.6#
Ono
Cindi Ann 54.2#, Parker 28 37.8#, Manu Kai 33#, Keilana 30.8#, Megan M. 29.8#, Lisa M. 26.8#, Lisa M. 26#, Isabelle II 26#, Isabelle II 20.4#
Marlin
Contak 160#, All Action 124.4#, Tropic Bird 114#, Big Ta Do 107.2
Mahi
Carol Ann II 30.8#, Beach Jumper 14.4#, Keiki Kai 13.6#, Keiki Kai 12.8#, All Action 11.6#, Keiki Kai 11.4#
Aku
Malukai 23.6#, Tiana Marie 15.8#, 12.8#, Wahine Kepaloa 8.6#, 8.0#, Big Ta Do 7.0#, 6.6#, 6.4#, 6.2#, Milika 4.2#, 3.8#, 3.6#, 3.0#, Lady M III 3.6#, 3.6#, 3.4#, Kaimalie 3.6#.
