1999 Saipan Fishing Tournament
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| 1999 Saipan Fishing Tournament Poster (Click on picture for a full sized version) |
The 15th Anuual Saipan International Fishing Tournament is the largest Fishing Tournament in the Marianas. Participants from islands such as Guam, Rota, and Tinian enter this annual event. This year, two anglers even came from Korea, one of whom had fished in two previous Saipan tournaments. The main sponsor for this tournament is the Saipan Sports Fishermen's Association in coordination with the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife, and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Click on the form names below to bring up a full sized image of the form or click on the Slide Show item to bring up a slide show of that day's activities
Registration - August 20, 1999
The registration went smoothly from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM on Friday August 20th at Smiling Cove Marina with 14 vessels from Guam and 50 more from Saipan, the other Marianas islands, Palau, Japan and the United States berthed and ready to go.
It took many volunteers and coordinators consisting of staff from the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), The Mayor's Office, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Coast Guard to run the derby.
A comprehensive booklet for all participants contained the registration form as well as information and facts about the derby, plus tournament, and the substantial list of prizes. These forms are shown on the web page that linked to this one.
Day 1 - August 21, 1999
On Saturday, August 21, 1999 from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM boats launched from the Saipan Fishing Complex (Garapan), Sugar Dock (Chalan Kanoa) and the Smiling Cove Marina (Garapan). After 8:00 AM the boats launched only from the Smiling Cove Marina where the pictures below were taken.
The boats began returning at 4:30 PM and had to be in the Smiling Cove Marina channel before 6:00 PM for their catch to be entered in the tournament. Trolling was the only fishing method allowed.
Day 2 - August 22, 1999
On Sunday, August 22, 1999 boats launched from the same places and at the same times they did the day before. The boats again had to be in the Smiling Cove Marina channel before 6:00 PM for their catch to be entered in the tournament and this was their last chance.
It seems that the really big fish of a tournament are always caught on the second day of the tournament, escpecially to those who catch a big fish on the first day of the tournament.
Awards Banquet - August 23, 1999
The 15th Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament culminated in the Fishing Tournament Awards Banquet held poolside at the Dai-ichi Hotel. Here all participants and their invited guests feasted on gourmet food and winners received their prizes and trophies.