Angling for a prize fish? Catch this Hawaii event

You can always fib about the one that got away ... except when you can’t. And that exception might be when all eyes are watching, as they will be during the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament on the Big Island of Hawaii, a competition that dates to 1959.

Each morning, teams entered in the tournament, which is Aug. 10-14, will set sail from Kailua-Kona, hoping to return later in the day with prize catches.

Visitors can watch as the boats depart at 7:30 a.m. from Kailua Pier in Historic Kailua Village. At 4:30 p.m., onlookers again gather as the vessels return with their catch. The weigh-in follows.

Points will be awarded for each billfish weighing 300 or more pounds. The allowed species are black marlin, broadbill swordfish, Pacific blue marlin and striped marlin.

Tuna will be judged in a different category, with points given for each fish weighing at least 100 pounds.

Prizes in various categories include the prestigious Governor’s Trophy.

Teams that land a marlin will have something to boast about. Battles of strength and endurance (remember “Old Man and the Sea”?) are common as the powerful fish resist efforts to be reeled in.

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