Kona, Hawaii (Day 2) –On Day Two of the five-day 53^rd Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament the fish are keeping anglers in their fighting chairs. The 40 competitive teams reported in nine pulled hooks, 11 Pacific blue marlin tagged and released and one ahi boated all before today’s noon round up. Kona’s reputation for summertime fishing action is well deserved and this week is proving to be very productive.

Just 55 minutes into Day Two of HIBT fishing and Hawaii Yacht Club hooked-up a Pacific blue marlin estimated at 250 pounds. Unfortunately, China’s CAA-Zhu Hai Game Fishing Club pulled its hook, but the South African Protea Team, fishing aboard the 39-foot High Flyer, deployed a satellite tag on their Pacific blue marlin just 33 minutes after angler Wian Terblanche hooked-up. Angler Serge De Bie of New Zealand’s Bay of Islands Swordfish Club-Eldorado tagged and released a Pacific blue marlin estimated at 175 pounds fishing aboard the 52-foot Unbelievable.

HIBT Women Anglers Continue Their Run

Angler Janice Allan of New Zealand’s Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club tagged and released a Pacific blue marlin estimated at 225 pounds after an impressive 14-minute fight. Big Game Clube De Portugal added more team points to the scoreboard when angler Rabina Bagnall tagged and released another Pacific blue marlin.

“This tournament takes place here because of the Kona Coast’s calm, beautiful ocean packed with billfish,” said HIBT Founder Peter Fithian. “To expand our angler’s  Kona fishing experience, HIBT teams rotate fishing vessels daily and do not fish with the same boat and captain more than once in the five-day fishing marathon.”

Late in the afternoon again New Zealand’s Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club hooked up fishing aboard Holoholo. Weighing in the 388 pound Pacific blue marlin way after dark, angler Trevor Woolston has shaken up the scoreboard. But Kona Game Fishing Club – Taiyo’s angler Masaharu Matsushita’s tagged marlin earlier in the day, secured their first place slot.

HIBT captains and crews also have a competitive scoreboard. The Henry Chee Award is given to the HIBT captain and crew that score the highest number of billfish points every year. This trophy honors Henry Chee, Kona’s world-renowned pioneer charter boat captain. The Richard Boone Award is also awarded each year to the HIBT captain and crew receiving the highest scores rated by the teams during the week.

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the generosity of the County of Hawaii and sponsored in part by KWXX Radio and numerous other corporate and community donors.

The 2012 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament continues through Friday, August 17.

TEAM STANDINGS

1                        Kona Game Fishing Club – Taiyo- Japan                                    1268

2                        JIBT- Team Edotoku- Japan                                                           1200

3                         Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club – New Zealand                        967

TOP CAPTAIN STANDINGS

Doug Pattengill                            Holo Holo                                                            1267

John Bagwell                                    Silky                                                                   968

Guy Terwilliger                             High Flier                                                            900

FISH COUNTS

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