Team_ Go Big_ on the Viking found the winning blue marlin on the last day of the Hawaiian Billfish Series “Hawaiian Open” Tournament. Team Go Big had been leaving early to work the far southern reaches of the big Island of Hawaii and it paid off.
_Go Big, _on the final day, hooked a blue marlin that came in to the weigh station to tip the scales at 574-pounds, with female angler Danone Shaffer on the reel. This fish was good enough to sweep the awards/cash for first place for a Bodo Muche bronze sculpture and high points female angler award by Van Mark Jewelers.
The second place position went to team _Marlin Magic, _with longtime Kona Capt. Bryan Toney and angler Chris Howarth, were both on fire with their hook-ups and tagged fish during the three day event. They took the second place Bodo Muche sculpture, the Release Marine step box and two high points daily awards and high points tournament category payout.
Another team familiar with the winner circle was team Spina on the Rod Bender with Kona Capt. Kerwin Masunaga. Team Spina collected the third place Bodo Muche sculpture, Garmin Virb Camera and some cash prizes for their one blue marlin tag and biggest Ahi caught. In addition to the third place award/ prizes, they swept up one high points daily award and the biggest Ahi award with their 109-pound catch.
The first place winners, in addition to the cash/prizes, were awarded an invitation to the Offshore World Championship event in Quepos, Costa Rica in Spring of 2015.
The Hawaiian Billfish Series will have a second event the “Kona Shootout” August 3rd to 6th 2015.
