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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 11, 2007

Japan fishing club No. 1 at billfish event

Advertiser Staff

Led by fisherman Haruo Kaneko, Hilton Grand Vacation Fishing Club of Japan was at the top at the conclusion of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament yesterday.

Hilton Grand Vacation Fishing Club led the way with 1,239 points in fishing off Kona. Team Lantana was second with 1,000 points and Pajaro Valley Game Fish Club No. 1 was third with 900.

Kaneko hauled in a 139-pound ahi yesterday, giving him the largest tuna caught during the five-day tournament, to also go along with a 689-pound blue marlin he caught earlier in the week. That was the largest marlin caught in the tournament as well.

"We had a good boat every day and our team is so appreciative of the captains and their crew," Kaneko said through a translator. "They know how to catch fish."

Kaneko sailed yesterday on the Lady Dee, captained by Allan Ayano.

The Hilton Grand Vacation Fishing Club also won the Hawai'i County Mayor's Trophy for the most tuna points scored in the tournament.

Chip VanMols, captain of the Monkey Biz II, won the captain title with 1,589 points.

Peter Hooges, skipper of Pamela, was second with 1,250 points and Chuck Wigzell, captain of Hooked Up, was third with 1,150.

VanMols also won the Henry Chee Award, a perpetual honor given to the captain upon whose vessel the most number of billfish points have been scored in the tournament.

"I had other great captains chasing my points all day today," VanMols said. "The award was only a fish away from any one of us."