Kona, Hawaii (Day 3) – At the close of Day Three of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) 34 of the 40 HIBT teams have already posted points to the tournament scoreboard. The new moon is on the horizon and the next two days of fishing are going to be busy. This tournament could come down to Friday, 4:30 pm.

California’s Mission Bay Marlin Club, fishing aboard the 52-foot Unbelievable, hooked-up just outside Kailua Bay 23 minutes after today’s start. Angler Richard McBride was able to tag and release a shortnose spearfish after a quick five-minute fight. The fish, estimated at 50 pounds, garnered Mission Bay Marlin Club their first points.

Other teams posting points this morning included Alii Brothers Marlin Hui from California and Hawaii. Fishing aboard the 46-foot Bwana, angler Dan Holt fought for 28 minutes before he was able to tag and release a Pacific blue marlin estimated at 250 pounds on 50-pound test line.

New Zealand’s Bay of Islands Swordfish Club – Striker team also scored when angler Viki Smith hooked-up in the fishing area known as Uniform, way south of Kailua Bay. Fishing aboard the 47-foot Lightspeed, Smith boated her 584-pound Pacific blue marlin in an impressive 22 minutes. This Pacific blue marlin was caught on 50-pound test. “This is my second time here at HIBT. I love fishing and have caught marlin before, but it sure was nice to put additional team points on the scoreboard,” said a happy Smith.

Captain Rob Ellyn, the 2011 HIBT Richard Boone Award recipient, knew the fish were biting down south. “HIBT teams have been getting a bite or two a day in Uniform, and this is an area I love to fish in,” said Captain Ellyn. “For a large marlin, she was quiet and we had her to leader in about 5 minutes. However, she made another round and we finally boated her in just over 20 minutes.”

“I’m happy that HIBT is showing people around the world what fishing in Kona has to offer. The big fish are here for those lucky enough to fish in Kona, and our practice of encouraging tag and release supports sustainability,” said Peter Fithian, tournament founder. “HIBT has supported and been a part of pelagic research from the beginning of our 53-year run of tournament fishing. This week, The Great Marlin Race deployed satellite tags on Pacific blue marlin that provide incredible data recovery. HIBT believes in the science behind the fishing, we learn something new from these fish every year.”

But the day’s story does not end there. Old South Marlin Club Team 4, fishing aboard Marlin Magic had a four-fish day, including boating the largest Pacific blue marlin of this tournament so far. Angler Ken Onion had 5 minutes left on his deck rotation, when the reel went off. “I’ve been fishing HIBT for twelve years. This is my largest fist ever,” said an excited Onion. “ It’s unbelievable.” Onion’s Pacific blue marlin weighed in at 638-pounds, caught on 80-pound test. Earlier in the day, Team mate and veteran angler Sue Vermillion tagged and released an estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin. Next up on this lucky day three team angler Steve Gunther tagged and released an estimated 120-pound Pacific blue marlin. Twenty minutes later he tagged and released another estimated 150-pound Pacific blue marlin. Three tags and a boated Pacific blue marlin propelled this team into first place on this third day of HIBT Tournament fishing.

 At the end of Day Three, 31 billfish and 3 ahi put points on the board.

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

Place              Team                                                                                     Points 
1                      Old South Marlin Club #4                                                     2,850
2                      Kona Game Fishing Club-Taiyo Japan                                     1,568
3                      Bay of Islands Swordfish Club-Striker New Zealand                  1,428

TOP CAPTAIN STANDINGS

Skipper                                  Boat                                                                Points  
Jason Holtz                            Marlin Magic                                                    1,950
Doug Pattengill                       Holo Holo                                                         1,267
Boyd DeCoito                         Foxy Lady                                                        1,000
John Bagwell                          Silky                                                                 968

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