Team Malaka celebrates putting points on the board after the first day at the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. (Photo courtesy of HIBT)

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

It’s usually all about the fishing at the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Monday was no exception, with 16 Pacific blue marlin tagged and five short nose spearfish and three ahi tallied.

But there were some non-fishermen at the weigh-in on Kailua Pier, too.

One is tournament founder Peter Fithian.

“You know, I’ve never actually fished in this one,” he said. “It’s my job to see that everything is working smoothly, like a watch. I get the benefit of seeing everyone come to my hometown so it’s like a reunion of sorts.”

Fithian also enjoys showing off his hometown.

“Kona is generally regarded as a good place to visit whatever your reasons,” he said. “These gentlemen know the fishing is good, they know the water is good and they know it’s well organized.”

This year is special for Fithian because so many of his old friends returned for the 50th anniversary celebration.

“The British Isles team is back. It’s nice to have them,” Fithian said. “Shoalhaven is, too. They’ve been such great supporters of  this tournament over the years. And Sydney Game Fishing Club. And Fremantle Sailing Club. They sent two teams.”

This year’s anglers come from Australia, Bermuda, British Isles, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tahiti and representing teams from around the U.S. including California, Florida, Hawaii and North Carolina.   

“Fifty years ago New Zealand and Australia participated in the tournament allowing us to call ourselves an international tournament,” Fithian said. “We are so pleased to see many of our long-time tournament friends return to celebrate our golden anniversary.”

The Wives

Meanwhile, Becky Campos was congratulating her husband, Tony, captain of Pajaro Valley Game Fish Club #2.

The team managed to get on the scoreboard the first day of fishing.

“That’s huge. Dang, that’s the biggest deal,” she said. “We’re here to win it. Otherwise it’s just an expensive boat ride.”

The couple from Watsonville, Calif. have been coming to HIBT on and off for 35 years, she said, although Tony first fished in the tournament 40 years ago.

“It’s amazing that some of the boats are still here. We go all over to fish – Mexico and everywhere – but these captains really know these waters,” Campos said. “They are just as nice as they were 30 years ago and now we see some of their kids coming up so that’s cool.”

Campos said she appreciates the effort it takes to organize such a tournament.

“The volunteers here are just great. Some people forget that word: volunteer. Some people just take it for granted, but they really make the whole week happen,” she said. “And they don’t forget us ladies. While the men are out there, they find such fun and interesting stuff for us to do.”

Activities and excursions for anglers’ wives this year include a spa day, visits to area resorts and an ancient lei and haku making demonstration.

Day One

OK, back to the fishing. 

The tournament kicked off under clear, early morning skies as anglers acquainted themselves with Kona’s legendary fishing fleet, skilled captains, ocean conditions and rules of the tournament. 

By day’s end, 16 Pacific blue marlin were tagged, adding valuable team points to the scoreboard. 

Team Malaka was the first team to put points on the scoreboard. 

Angler Steve Gunther took little more than 17 minutes to tag his estimated 200-pound Pacific blue marlin on 50-pound test line. By noon, Team Malaka’s angler Tal Nizani tagged yet another Pacific blue marlin.  

“We tagged the final fish of last year’s 2008 HIBT and we’re very excited to tag the first fish this year,” Gunther said. “Our team is ready to be here in Kona to fish this great tournament.”

Every HIBT team is required at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. to call in its action, whether it be a strike, hook-up or caught, and the location of where they are fishing. 

At the end of the 41-team round-up, tournament radio control broadcasts the report, giving teams valuable information that helps with strategy.  

The five-day Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament continues through Friday, July 24.

Great Marlin Race

The inaugural Great Marlin Race is underway as part of the celebration of the 50th running of this prestigious tournament. 

Teams can purchase a satellite Pacific blue marlin tagging device, and once attached to the marlin, it will track the fish’s travels for about 180 days. The fish that travels the farthest wins the Great Marlin Race and its team will receive one free entry for up to six anglers in the 2010 HIBT, not including charter boat fees and travel expenses.  

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the generosity of the County of Hawaii and sponsored in part by Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Hawaii, Oceanic Time Warner, KWXX Radio and numerous corporate and community donors. 

— Find out more:

 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament: www.hibtfishing.com

Laguna Niguel Billfish Club anglers pose with their big catch and Miss Billfish 2009. (Photo courtesy of HIBT)

A boat waits its turn to drop off anglers at Kailua Pier after Monday's fishing. (Hawaii247.com photo by Karin Stanton)

HIBT officials test fishing line to ensure it conforms to tournament rules Monday afternoon at Kailua Pier. (Hawaii247.com photo by Karin Stanton)

One of Monday's big catches -- a 158-pound tuna hauled in by Madang Game Fishing Club of Papau New Guinea. (Hawaii247.com photo by Steve Lopez, HIBT pier operations volunteer)

The 'Shouting Room' is actually a tent on Kailua Pier. But anglers and their supporters seem more interested in refreshments than yelling about anything. (Hawaii247.com photo by Karin Stanton)