Australian Game Fishermen Gain Lead in Hawaii Tourney
Bill Coombs, 81, landed a 592-pound marlin Monday to put the Gamefish Club of South Australia in first place after one day of fishing in the 32nd Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.
With 100 bonus points each for the day’s biggest fish and for a fish over 500 pounds along with a 33% bonus for using 50-pound line, the club collected 989 points.
Coombs boated his marlin in one hour and 30 minutes after hooking up.
In second place in the five-day tournament with 476 points was New Britain Game Fishing Club of Papua New Guinea after Martin Powis landed a 357-pound marlin, also on 50-pound line.
Hawaii Kai Aloha was in third place with 475 points after two catches, a 317-pounder by Gary Largo and a 158-pounder by Noel Keoho.
Rounding out the top five were the Bahamas Billfish Club with 471 points on Richard Peterson’s 353-pound marlin and Hawaii Kai Yacht Club at 470 points on two catches.
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