Team Fiji is the number one game fishing team after winning the Pacific Cup in Kona, Hawaii last weekend.

Team Fiji media liaison officer Marc McElrath confirmed that the team had won after fishing on the vessel, Maverick, on the final day.

“Team Fiji managed to win by tagging two Marlin racking up 560 points with veteran anglers Mark Ellison and Justin Smith managing to tag marlin, which were both released in excellent condi­tions in Kona,” he said.

Captain of the Maverick, James Bach managed to steer the team to victory in the blue water competition.

“The Fiji team is made up of pro an­glers who have been in the game for many years,” he said.

Angler Ellison said the battle with the other teams was an intense one and a real struggle as the marlin in Kona is very big.

Smith on the other hand said that expe­rienced anglers like him took things in their stride. This is because the years of catching fish made them confident that the team would finish strong.

The team was presented with their spoils at an awards event before leaving for Fiji on Monday.

Tournament organiser Boyd Decoito said the tournament was a huge success.

“I commend the experience and strength of the Fiji team and has highlighted that this team will be a force to be reck­oned with in the future of angling events around the world,” he said.

McElrath added that Team Fiji would be participating in another tournament in Papuan New Guinea in November.

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