4 SEASONS WINS 4 FLAGS

Four Seasons Takes Hotel Benefit Tourney

Jim Rizzuto
The Four Seasons Hualalai won the Four Flags Hotel Big Game Fishing Tournament sponsored by Captain Al Gustavson and Queen K Tesoro.
    The Four Seasons team of Mary Curtis and Stephen Lyons had designated the Hope to Run charity as the recipient of the $1,000 prize. After Captain Al wrote the check to the winners’ charity, he announced that his Goose’s Edge Company would also donate to the charities designated by the other two competing hotel teams.
    Captain Al conducted the unique tournament over a three-month period while hosting each team aboard his boat Topshape. On each fishing day, the event was broadcast live on the Kona FM, 92.1 radio show “Friendliest Catch” with host Tommy Ching, “The Pirate.”
    The Four Seasons Hualalai was the final team to get its chance, taking to the seas last Tuesday. The Hilton Waikoloa and the Hapuna Prince competed in November and December. The Hapuna Prince was up by 300 points as the result of tagging a striped marlin.
    Topshape ranged south and north, inshore and offshore looking for the warmer sea temperatures Captain Al prefers for big fish. Nothing happened during the four hours of airtime before Tommy had to sign off for the day, but there were still four more hours to go in the fishing day.
    Just two minutes after the show ended, Stephen hooked a striped marlin and fought it to the boat. Topshape crew John Bennett tagged and released it, and team Four Seasons was now in a 300-point tie with team Hapuna Prince.
    Water temps were holding so Capt. Al stayed with the same run – out and deep. After another hour, the center rigger went off with a shortbill spearfish for Mary Curtis.
    Mary reeled the fish to Topshape. After team Four Seasons tagged and released it to score their victory, “The boat exploded in shouts of joy,” said Capt Al.
    The “Friendliest Catch” Show has been on the air every second Tuesday of the month over the last 13 months. The first show began with a blue marlin hooked two minutes after Tommy Ching went on the air and the last show ended with a marlin hooked two minutes after he went off the air.
    The show now goes on hiatus. It may return in the spring, says Captain Al, depending on interest. If you have enjoyed the broadcasts, Al says to tell him directly or by leaving word at Queen K Tesoro, or call Tommy Ching at Kona FM 92.1.