Game Fishing Club of Australia’s Rolf Czabayski put the first marlin points on the board Monday during the first day of fishing. With him are teammates Ralph Czabayski, Steve Morris and Russell Bianco, and Miss Billfish Cheynielle Pacheco. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

One hundred twenty seasoned anglers on 38 teams from around the globe were on the starting line as Day One of the 54th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) got underway Monday, Aug. 5 in Kona.

As the legendary “Start Fishing Start Fishing Start Fishing” opener rang out across the fleet, six teams from New Zealand, five teams from Japan, four teams each from Australia and China joined teams from New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Africa and Vanuatu plus 14 U.S. teams from across the country took off across the Pacific Ocean in search of big game fish.

Fishing conditions were excellent and the Beijing Fishing Club (Team #23) was the first to radio in its hook up a mere 16 minutes into the tournament.

Eight minutes later, Hilton Grand Vacations Fishing Club Ohana (Team #7) hooked up and so the morning went.

At 9:23 a.m., fishing aboard Maggie Joe, Game Fishing Club of South Australia (Team #24) hooked up and, in an excellent display of fishing skill, just 12 minutes later angler Ralph Czabayski had boated a 386-pound Pacific blue marlin.

As the largest catch of the day, the marlin earned the team 615 valuable tournament points and placed them in the lead.

To preserve the thrill of big game fishing for future generations, HIBT teams generally do not boat Pacific blue marlin under 300 pounds. Teams are awarded points for their catch and these billfish are tagged and released.

Four teams each posted 600 points in a four-way tie for second place: Laguna Nigel Billfish Club #2 (Team #5), Hilton Grand Vacations Fishing Club Ohana (Team #7), Le Anglers Club (Team #26) and Old South Marlin Club East Coast 1 (Team #27).

The prestigious five-day Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament continues through Friday, August 9, 2013.

Veteran HIBT fisherman Bob Kurz and wife pose with Miss Billfish Cheynielle Pacheco and a yellowfin tuna. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Recent HIBT Champion Teams

2012 – Old South Marlin Club Team 4, North Carolina
2011 – Port Vila Game Fishing Club, Vanuatu
2010 – Kona Game Fishing Club – Kusatsu, Japan

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the generosity of the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The tournament is further supported in part by KWXX Radio and numerous corporate and community donors.

— Find out more:
www.hibtfishing.com