Four hundred and forty participants in 73 colorfully decorated charter boats scattered in all directions from Kailua Bay in the waters off Hawaii Island’s Kona Coast under sunny blue skies Saturday morning.
The largest women’s billfish tournament in Hawaii, and possibly the largest women’s billfish tournament in the world, offered big fishing action for the 18th annual Huggo’s Wahine Fishing Tournament.
The winning fish was caught by women anglers on board the “Maggie Joe” — a 522-pound Pacific Blue Marlin, caught by angler Lynn Sorenson with Captain Mike DeRego — and earned them the First place team overall position. Fighting time was a short 38 minutes. It was the only fish brought in over 300 pounds, the minimum weight limit for cash prize consideration.
The annual benefit tourney, held each July for local charity Family Support Services, is both a fundraiser and an opportunity for women to go fishing! This year teams competed for more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. $10,000 will be donated to the charity this year, raising the total raised over the years from $130,00o to $140,000!
Congratulations and mahalo (thank you) to all of the participants! See you same place, same time next year!
On the Rocks held an amazing pre-party to kick off the event! To check out pictures of the awesome “God and Goddesses”, click here!
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