Gabby Jo heaves 245-lb marlin to top 4th TTT Mixed Classic

The crew of Gabby Jo hauled in the heaviest catch—a 245-lb marlin—during the 4th Annual Tasi To Table Mixed Classic Fishing Derby on Saturday at Smiling Cove Marina.

Gabby Jo, captained by Jesse Tenorio, with co-captain John John San Nicolas and angler Jess Guerrero caught a total of 263-lbs and walked away with the first-place prize of $3,000, a $100 gift certificate from Fishing Tackle, and lures from CK Lures out of Hawaii.

In second place was MV Jolene, captained by Alex Sablan, with a marlin weighing 125-lbs and a wahoo weighing 25-lbs for a total of 150-lbs. They took home the $1,500 second-place prize, along with a $600 side bet.

Third place and $1,000 went to Sweet Candy, captained by George Moses, for their 138-lb marlin and a two-lb katsu, for a total of 140-lbs.

Tenorio said during the awards ceremony that they caught the winning fish heading out of the waters of west Tinian. After reeling in some wahoo earlier, they hooked the marlin on their way back to Saipan. It was a 30-minute struggle, but they managed to reel it in—and by the time it was over, they were exhausted. “It was a good fight, but it was good and fun. We’re glad to support the program,” he said.

This was the third derby hosted by Tasi To Table this year. TTT executive director Gene Weaver said he was happy with the turnout of 20 boats. “We don’t make a lot of money, but hey, we don’t lose money,” he said.

As for the big catch, Weaver said, “I was so happy to see someone come in with over 200-lbs because lately, a lot of the derbies haven’t seen fish that big.” He added that the hot, flat ocean conditions usually make fishing tough. “Those conditions don’t always go the greatest, but hey—you saw a 245-lb marlin come up, so I don’t know. They did a really good job today.”

Weaver also noted that this time of year isn’t typically marlin season, which usually peaks around December when the biggest fish are caught. That made Gabby Jo’s haul even more impressive.

He then said, “Overall, it was great. The support we get from the community, the participants that come in and join these derbies, you know I couldn’t ask for anything more. The community, especially since they know it’s for the youth—everything is for the youth or for the veterans and we get a lot of good support for them.”

Tasi To Table thanked its sponsors: Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods, Corrosion X, Bud Light, EFC Services Corporation, Bridge Capital LLC, Pokka, and Chong’s Corporation.

Tasi To Table is a nonprofit organization dedicated to passing on fishing knowledge to future generations. Proceeds from their fishing derbies go toward TTT’s two-year student program for high schoolers. Through the program, students can earn an elective credit toward graduation, learn different fishing techniques, explore ocean-related careers, and practice environmental stewardship.