(BIVN) – The 58th Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underway in Kailua-Kona. Event organizers issued this media release describing the action on day one:

After an unusual early morning light rain in Kona, Kahu Danny Akaka began with a moment of silence to honor those lost on 9/11 and a Hawaiian blessing.

Teams from around the world gathered on the starting line as the 58th Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) got underway with their legendary call to “Start fishing, start fishing, start fishing!” And with that, competitive teams representing Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, and the USA began a five-day fishing marathon in Kona’s famous waters.

Early Morning Action

By the mid-morning radio round-up, six teams reported Pacific blue marlin and spearfish tagged and released. The first tag on the scoreboard arrived in just over 60 minutes after the start when Pajaro Valley Gamefish Club, fishing aboard the 47-foot Light Speed, reported its first tagged Pacific blue marlin. Angler Tony Campos successfully tagged the estimated 225 pounder in just under 18 minutes. Four minutes later, defending champion Malibu Marlin Club put valuable points on the scoreboard when angler Stephen Chow tagged a spearfish estimated at 30 pounds.

Japan’s Core Marlin Club Leads After Day One

As the fishing continued throughout Day One, it was Japan’s Core Marlin Club who landed on top of the leader board with 600 points. Fishing aboard the 47-foot Northern Lights II, angler Toshihiro Honda tagged and released an estimated 160-pound Pacific blue marlin in an impressive 20 minutes. Just after the noon round-up angler Kenkichi Miyauchi scored this team’s second tag and release with a Pacific blue marlin estimated at 120 pounds.

Day One yielded a tight race with only 50 points separating first and second places.

Claiming second place with 550 points, South Africa’s Deep Sea Angling Association Team spent the day fishing aboard the classic 37-foot Humdinger. Team Captain Phillip Marx tagged and released an estimated 175-pound Pacific blue marlin on 80-pound test line, putting priceless points on the board. Nearly two hours later, angler Mike Ross tagged another Pacific blue marlin estimated at 175 pounds using 50-pound test line in just 12 minutes.

As Day One of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament wrapped, nine teams were on the scoreboard with 11 Pacific blue marlin and short-nosed spearfish.

The prestigious five-day Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament continues through Friday, September 15, 2017.

Note: To preserve the thrill of big game fishing for future generations, HIBT teams do not receive points for any Pacific blue marlin under 300 pounds that are boated. Teams are awarded points for these billfish that are tagged and released.