Old South Marlin Club #2 Weighs In 443-Pound Pacific Blue Marlin

07/22/2009

Peter Fithian Week Proclaimed

Kona, Hawaii (July 21, 2009) – Sport fishing anglers representing 41 teams from around the world are gathered in Kona, Hawaii this week for the 50th running of the venerable Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT).

Day Two featured plenty of exciting billfish action with one Pacific blue marlin tipping the scales on Kailua Pier at 443 pounds and one ahi was also boated. Another 23 billfish were tagged and released back to the sea throughout the day.

Team Old South Marlin Club #2, fishing today aboard the Kona Seafari, was packed with years of fishing experience. At 8:14 this morning the 443-pound Pacific blue marlin struck on 50-pound test line and angler and team captain Bob Lowe was up on rotation. This fish was all his. “This was the toughest fish I’ve ever caught in my life – what a fight,” said Lowe. “I caught my last grander in 45 minutes! But this fish would have none of that. Finally, 3 hours and 34 minutes later, we had her. ”As an Australian representative for the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Lowe knows fishing and has his share of catches under his belt. Lowe is fishing in his 25th HIBT.

With 23 other billfish tagged today, there were plenty of fish stories to go around. Pajaro Valley Game Fish Club #1 had its first tag of the day just minutes into the competition. Team Malaka followed its second-fish-of-the-day habit with angler Phillip Duke tagging his estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin by 7:30 am. These important points earned Team Malaka its two-day lead.

But watch the scoreboard carefully, Old South Marlin Club #2, Malibu Marlin Club (2007 HIBT winners) and Bay of Islands Swordfish Club from New Zealand are all very close in the team standings.

“This is really how the tournament functions best,” said HIBT founder Peter Fithian. “Lots of fish, the scoreboard always changing and most teams are seeing plenty of action.”

A surprise visit by Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi at this afternoon’s weigh-in on Kailua pier created a stir. Mayor Kenoi recognized Peter Fithian’s 50 years of commitment to the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and proclaimed July 19-25 as Peter Fithian Week. “We need to celebrate this great tournament and the fame it has brought the Kona Coast,” said Mayor Kenoi. “This iconic event is an economic driver for our county and attracts visitors from around the world to our beautiful island. For that we are grateful to Peter and the HIBT.”

Peter Fithian was honored and surprised by the mayoral proclamation. “I am so very pleased that Mayor Kenoi has come here today. This tournament would not be possible without the support of the County of Hawaii. I want to say that I am honored to know that the County of Hawaii recognizes this grand tournament as an asset to the Kona community and its world-class fishing fleet.”

The five-day Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament continues through Friday, July 24, 2009. Next year, Kona will once again welcome the 51st HIBT July 31-August 8, 2010.

About the 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.

DAILY CATCH (Tuesday-Day Two)
14 Pacific blue marlin tagged & release
1 Pacific blue marlin boated
9 Short nose spearfish marlin tagged & release
1 Ahi boated

TEAM STANDINGS
Place Team Points
1 Team Malaka, California 900
2 Old South Marlin Club #2, North Carolina 691
3 Malibu Marlin Club, California 600
4 Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, New Zealand 600

CAPTAIN STANDINGS
Place Captain Boat Points
1 David Bertuleit Kona Seafari 991
2 ason Holtz Marlin Magic 900
3 Wayne Knight Playtime 700

*Note: In the event of point ties, place standings are determined by the time the fish is boated

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