Twenty four teams lined up for the lst FIVE FLAGS Fishing Tournament on Sat, March 20 to compete for guaranteed prize money offered to the four biggest fish in Marlin, Ahi, Mahi, Ono and Spearfish divisions. All four places were filled in the Spearfish division, but the Marlin and Ono place winners won much more than the guarantee amounts due to rollover monies. No qualifying Ahi or Mahi were boated so the category prize money was split between the top Marlin placings. The winning 382 pound Marlin captured by Rex Crosland on the Pacific Blue with Captain Bill Casey and co-captain Boyd DeCoito received $2,250. Second place Marlin division was angled by Mark Keltz on the High Noon with Captain Dee Bradford boating a 156 pound Blue Marlin capturing winnings at $1,750.

The Spearfish division places were completely filled with only a small weight difference between the qualifying fish. Angler Jesse DeRego on the Keoni IV boated the top fish at 43.5 pounds followed by Humdinger angler Jim Bass that weighed a 42 pound Spearfish. Marlin Magic took third with another keiki angler Fred Neeley landing a 35.5 pound Spearfish, and Northern Lights angler RonSchaara took fourth with a 31.5 pound Spearfish.

Additional prizes included a gaff from Hot Spots Welding for the winning skipper, a Huggo's gift certificate for the Sea Baby that lost 2 Marlin, and a gift certificate from Pacific Rim Fishing Supply for Duane Giles Mahi Mahi that they gamely weighed in, but didn't make the 20 pound minimum.

The Awards Party was held at Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club Sat night, and anglers hailed from Honolulu, Minnesota, Utah, Washington, and Guam as well as the Big island. Promoter Bob Beadle was pleased with the first event and plans to continue promoting and supporting new Kona tournaments during the year.

Tournament Winner - 382lb Blue Marlin

KJ and his Dad with their $1,000 Ono

The winning Spearfish