SIXTEEN PACIFIC BLUE MARLIN TAGGED DAY ONE OF THE 50TH HAWAIIAN INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT

07/21/2009

Kona, Hawaii (Monday, July 20, 2009) As fishing commenced under clear, early morning skies, anglers acquainted themselves with Kona’s legendary fishing fleet, skilled captains, ocean conditions and rules of this prestigious tournament. Sixteen Pacific blue marlin were tagged during Day One of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) adding valuable team points to the scoreboard.

Team Malaka was the first team to put points on the 50th HIBT scoreboard. Angler Steve Gunther took little more than 17 minutes to tag his estimated 200-pound Pacific blue marlin on 50-pound test line. By noon, Team Malaka’s angler Tal Nizani tagged yet another Pacific blue marlin.

“We tagged the final fish of last year’s 2008 HIBT and we’re very excited to tag the first fish this year,” said Steve Gunther, Team Malaka. “Our team is ready to be here in Kona to fish this great tournament.”

Every HIBT team is required at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. to call in their action, whether it be a strike, hook-up or caught, and the location of where they are fishing. At the end of the 41-team round-up, tournament radio control broadcasts the report, giving teams valuable information that helps with strategy.

In all, 16 Pacific blue marlin, five short nose spearfish and three ahi were tallied in Day One of this five-day fishing marathon.

“We are so pleased to see many of our long-time tournament friends return to celebrate our golden anniversary,” said Peter Fithian, tournament founder. “Fifty years ago New Zealand and Australia participated in the tournament allowing us to call ourselves an international tournament. Today, we welcome them back along with all the teams that comprise the 41-team roster for this year’s 50th HIBT and look forward to seeing them all again next year.”

The inaugural Great Marlin Race is underway as part of the celebration of the 50th running of this prestigious tournament. Teams can elect to purchase a satellite Pacific blue marlin tagging device, and once attached to the marlin, it will track its travels for about 180 days. The fish that travels the farthest wins the Great Marlin Race and its team will receive one free entry for up to six anglers in the 2010 HIBT, not including charter boat fees and travel expenses.

The five-day Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament continues through Friday, July 24, 2009.

*About Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament *
The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament welcomes teams to its 50th golden anniversary along side the State of Hawaii as it celebrates 50 years of statehood! Once again, the world meets here in Kona as enthusiastic anglers gather from around the world to fish these famous waters including Australia, Bermuda, British Isles, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tahiti and representing teams from around the US including California, Florida, Hawaii and North Carolina.

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the generosity of the County of Hawaii and sponsored in part by Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Hawaii, Oceanic Time Warner, KWXX Radio and numerous corporate and community donors.

For more information on the golden anniversary of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, log onto www.hibtfishing.com.

Primary Contact: Peter Fithian
Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
Phone: 808-383-6701
Secondary Contact: Laura Aquino
Current Events
Phone: 808-326-7820
Email: laura@current-events.com