Kona, Hawaii (Friday, August 5, 2016) – Malibu Marlin Club wins the 2016 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, a decade after their first HIBT win in 2006. Malibu Marlin Club, put points on the scoreboard on Monday and, while other teams were close, they sealed the win when the reel sounded today just 35 minutes after start fishing.

On this last day of the 2016 HIBT, Malibu Marlin Club fished aboard the Northern Lights captained by Oskie Rice. Veteran angler Buzz Colton fought an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin in just 15 minutes before tagging and releasing the fish. This tag gave Malibu Marlin Club an additional 300 points, securing the 57^th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Governor’s Trophy for first place.

“It’s a lot of fun to come to Kona and fish this tournament. I have longstanding ties to Hawaii, and have been coming to Kona to fish since I was a youngster. My father first fished the first tournament in 1959 with Peter Fithian, and it’s a testament to this great man who has been running this tournament so well for 57 years,” said Buzz Colton of Malibu Marlin Club. “To catch a fish here in Kona is everyone’s dream, to win the HIBT is such an honor and we are all very excited.”

Australia’s Redcliffe Peninsula Game Fishing Club moved up the leaderboard to hook a second place finish with 902.6 points. Third place was settled by count back or first to get to the points, and went to Old South Marlin Club – International with 900 points.

“For 57 years this great community has given gracious hospitality and aloha to the teams who travel from all around the world to come to Kona to fish. From all of us at HIBT we send a sincere thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. As the anglers travel home, each has a fishing tale that will long be remembered,” said HIBT founder Peter Fithian. “To the talented and hardworking captains and crews of Kona’s fishing fleet who work with us to showcase Kona’s fishing, thank you for being an integral part of the success of this tournament.”

Northern Lights Tops Charter Boat Standings  

Captain Oskie Rice of the Northern Lights will be added to the coveted list of Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Henry Chee Award recipients earning 1300 points. The perpetual Henry Chee Award was established in 1965 to honor the charter boat captain upon whose vessel the most number of billfish points have been scored at HIBT. The award’s namesake, a pioneer fishing captain who set an unprecedented number of gamefish catch records, helped establish the Kona coast as a world-famous fishing destination.

This is a first Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Henry Chee Award win for Rice although this captain comes from a long line of Kona fisherman including his grandfather Freddie Rice and father McGrew Rice.

Silky’s Captain John Bagwell took second by count back earning 900 points and Northern Lights II Captain Kevin Nakamaru earning 900 points took third.

Next year, the 58^th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is scheduled from September 9 through September 17, 2017. Anglers and teams are invited to apply for entry as a full tournament is anticipated. Learn more at www.hibtfishing.com.