Stephens Media
Stephens Media
Old South Marlin Club No. 4 came up empty on Thursday, but its sizable lead going into the fourth day of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament allowed the North Carolina club to get away with an off day.
Old South Marlin Club No. 4 remained in front with 2,850 points, with Japan’s Kona Game Fishing Club-Taiyo in second (2,418) and New Zealand’s Bay of Islands Swordfish Club-Eldorado in third (1,700).
The five-day HIBT ends today, with fishing taking place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in West Hawaii waters.
Taiyo, the tournament leader after the second day of the tournament, entered Day 4 trailing Old South Marlin Club No. 4 by 1,282 points. But the Japanese club narrowed the gap by tagging and releasing two Pacific blue marlin and boating an ahi aboard Miss Mojo.
New Zealand’s Bay of Island’s Swordfish Club-Endeavour reeled in the biggest catch of day, with angler Greg Thompson boating a 528-pound blue in just 14 minutes while fishing aboard Bwana. Thompson’s teammate, Jeff Douglas, tagged and released an estimated 150-pound marlin earlier in the day.
Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby Game Fishing Club had the day’s other notable catch, with angler Anthony Farrell boating a 376-pound blue after a fight lasting 1 hour, 45 minutes aboard Anxious.
Team standings
1. Old South Marlin Club #4, 2,850
2. Kona Game Fishing Club-Taiyo Japan, 2,418
3. Bay of Islands Swordfish Club-Eldorado New Zealand, 1,700
Top captain
1. Jason Holtz, Marlin Magic, 2,350
2. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana, 1,904
3. Doug Pattengill, Holo Holo, 1,467
4. Mark Schubert, Miss Mojo, 1,450
Thursday’s catch report
Blue marlin tagged and released: 14
Blue marlin weighed: 2
Stripped marlin tagged and released: 0
Shortnose spearfish tagged and released: 7
Ahi boated: 2
Four-day catch report
Blue marlin tagged and released: 76
Blue marlin weighed: 9
Stripped marlin tagged and released: 1
Shortnose spearfish tagged and released: 24
Ahi boated: 7