Angler Magazine March 2015

Mile Zero Mayhem!

a look inside CHASING DOWN KINGS: USE FISH FORECASTING TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

LOCAL NATIVE: LOW COUNTRY NATIVE WINS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

BERGERMAN AND CREW TAKE PRO TOP SPOT IN KEY WEST

SOUTHERN KINGFISH ASSOCIATION

US POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT NO. 2397 PRESORTED STANDARD

BARNES AND CREW TAKE TOP SPOT IN NORTH CAROLINA

UPDATED MERCURY SKA TOURNAMENT TRAIL POINTS FOR MARCH

4404 N TAMIAMI TRAIL SARASOTA, FL 34234

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Fuel efficiency for extended cruising. And the quietest, smoothest ride of any outboard. Just what you’d expect from the world’s most advanced propulsion system. Mercury behind you, the world before you. Visit your Mercury Dealer or mercurymarine.com.

Mercury Marine is proud to be the official engine provided for the SKA. Learn more about sport fishing’s fishing’s largest saltwater tournament trail at fishska.com.

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www.ContenderOffshore.com | 1.800.645.2906

Angler 03.2015

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contents

03.2015

www.fishska.com

F E AT U R E S 8 Mercury Professional Kingfish Tour — Event 1 Under Armour Fishing Team Wins Key West Pro Event!

18 View from the Mercury Tournament Trail Some Big Fish Were Caught in Key West 22 4th Annual Kings for Vets KMT Team Low Country Native Survives Reverse Play to Win Kings for Vets

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28 4th Annual NC Troopers Saltwater Challenge NC Troopers KMT Win A Walk in the Park for Team Hot Rod

COLUMNS 4 Mercury Unveils New 350 at MIBS Verado Pumps Up the Power for 2015

by Gary Caputi

14 The Myths and the Magic: Understanding Fish Forecasting Services

by Sam White

33 Regional Kingfish Baits Give ’em what they want

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by Terry Lacoss

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I N F O R M AT I O N 6 SKA Membership Application 12 Mercury Pro Tour Points 26 Mercury Trail Points 36 Mercury Trail Schedule 41 member2member advertising 44 Corporate Partners

ON THE COVER

Under Armour Fishing Team/Caliente had a 102.25 aggregate in Key West on their Mercury-powered Yellowfin. Arik Bergerman, R.W. Keys, Jamey Caldwell, Seth Funt, Jordan Funt, and Dan Hamilton had a 46.82 and a 55.43. cover layout: Caley Curchy

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Angler Official Publication of the Southern Kingfish Association

FROM THE HELM

www.FishSKA.com Editor Patrick Farrell patrick@fishska.com Publishing Director Christine B. Rodenbaugh anglerpages@fishska.com Chief Operating Officer Ben Wells ben@fishska.com Director of Operations Jim Butler jim@fishska.com Director of Communications Erin Henshaw erin@fishska.com Accounting Pam LeBlanc pam@fishska.com Contributing Editors David A. Brown Gary Caputi Terry Lacoss John Minetola Sam White

Contributions: Angler magazine welcomes stories, art, and photos.

SKA will consider, but assumes no responsibility for, unsolicited proposals, manuscripts, and photographs; all such material not accompanied by self addressed stamped envelopes will not be returned, SKA retains reprint rights for resale, republication. Copyright 2015. Angler magazine is mailed to members of the Southern Kingfish Association and is paid for in part by the yearly association dues.

by PATRICK FARRELL

The SKA Family is a Microcosm of the American Spirit

CORPORATE OFFICES 4404 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234 Phone | 1-800-852-6262 Fax | 941-360-6888

established

1991

As

we begin yet another Mercury SKA Tournament Trail season, let’s take a moment to think: Why do I do this? Why do I take time away from my work and family, wake up at an ungodly hour, get soaked to the bone and pounded by relentless eight- to ten-foot swells, all in hopes to catch a big, slimy, razor-toothed fish and then race the miles back for a chance at an oversized check and a trophy? To put it in broader terms, why do athletes train, day and night, through squelching heat and blistering cold, through aches and pains, away from their families, pushing their bodies to the limit to hopefully, one day, gain that extra half-second or inch more than their rivals. It’s the age-old question: why do I do what I do? And the answer, I think, is simple: to strive for greatness. Glory.

As we all know, the SKA is made up of a cornucopia of individuals and teams. There’s the hard-core Professional teams, the family team with two or three generations onboard, the couple of buddies on a 23-footer, and so on. Whether it’s fishing for the thrill of competition or just the love of the sport, there’s no doubt SKA members are passionate about what they do.

Merriam-Webster defines an athlete as “a person who is trained in or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.” I don’t need to tell this group the strength it takes to pull up 60 pounds of lean, pissed-off muscle from the depths. Or the agility it takes to rig up bait on the fly and get lines back in the water after a snapped line. Or the stamina to plow through eight-foot seas for three hours wide open, almost peeling the wrap off the hull. SKA members are athletes. No question about it. Heck, I heard an SKA member once got STRUCK BY LIGHTNING and still kept fishing. If that’s not a show of physical strength and stamina I don’t know what is.

Here’s to your success,

So I thought as we begin this season, I’d ask you: what does being an SKA member mean to you?

What makes you do what you do on the Trail? Please email your responses and we’ll publish them in this column in an upcoming issue of Angler. You can email me at patrick@fishska.com with your story.

I look forward to hearing from you all! See you on the Trail!

Athletes, like anyone, need goals. Or I should say, “those who strive for greatness,” need goals. Whether it’s to land a 60 pounder, win a specific tournament, fish in so many tournaments, win a Division Title, or stamp your ticket to Nationals, goals (and more importantly reaching them) are what make the SKA so rewarding and, frankly, FUN. The SKA shines a light on the competitive nature in all of us. It reflects, I think, the very essence of the American spirit—an unshakable sense of family, community, and the undying will to succeed. That’s why we—as an SKA family and as Americans—do what we do. To be great.

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PUMPS UP THE POWER FOR 2015

by Gary Caputi

T

he Miami International Boat Show is not only known as one of the world’s great boat shows, but also as the venue where U.S. boat and engine manufacturers unveil their latest and greatest. This year’s MIBS maintained that reputation as a boatload of new boat models were introduced as well as some interesting new power plants to motivate them across the water.

Mercury Marine, recognized as a world leader in recreational marine propulsion systems, wowed the crowd with the long awaited introduction of a new big brother to their Verado line of supercharged outboards, the Verado 350!

The Verado first saw the light of day and the transoms of a few boats back in 2004. The initial offering consisted of 225, 250 and 275hp models all built on a lightweight 2.6 liter, 6-cylinder, fourstroke block and all featuring a revolutionary supercharger system that turned the modest displacement engines into high performance screamers! These technological wonders easily surpassed the power and torque of the performance oriented 2-stroke engines of the day and they did it smoothly, quietly and reliably. Fast forward to the Miami Boat Show circa 2007 where Mercury unveiled a new horsepower leader for the Verado line. With the availability of the Verado 300 there were suddenly a lot more SKA boats showing up at tournaments with two or three of those bad boys

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Angler 03.2015

100 pounds lighter than the competition’s 350hp offering and that’s a big chunk of weight not hanging off your transom. And because the 350 is part of the standard Verado line it is backed by a full three-year warranty, too.

strapped to the transom. Now along comes MIBS 2015 and once again Mercury has upped the ante with the introduction of the potent new Verado 350.

“We’re proud to introduce the next evolution of this market leading outboard series, the innovative and powerful Verado 350,” said John Pfeifer, president of Mercury Marine to a large crowd of show attendees and members of the boating media gathered at their impressive display in the Miami Convention Center.

“Whether it’s installed in single or multiple-engine configurations, the Verado 350 delivers everything performance-minded boaters and anglers demand.”

Pfeifer went on to say that the new Verado is the lightest, fastest, most fuel efficient 350hp outboard you can buy. It hits the scales just a tad heavier than the 300 at 668 lbs., which makes it just shy of

With all that going for it, I would bet a lot of SKA tournament anglers will be looking to upgrade to 350s for their competition boats this year. So what do you need to know about this new fire-breather?

Like its predecessors the 350 is built on the same 2.6 liter straight 6-cylinder block. Its supercharged four-stroke technology promises to deliver speed and performance without lacking in durability and fuel economy and those are definitely good things.

While the 350 will run just fine on 89 octane fuel Mercury recommends 91 octane for squeezing every last bit of performance out of the engine.

According to Mercury literature running high test provides up to 10% greater fuel economy than competitive outboards, which they say can increase your cruising range by a hefty 100 miles per tank and actually save you money at the pump each year.

Like all the Verados the engine is surprisingly small with the same footprint as the 225, 250 and 300. It offers superior torque across the operating range, provides amazing hole shots and higher

top end performance. Its narrow profile makes for ease of installation in multi-engine configurations, an important consideration for SKA anglers. But when all is said and done, the big question remains, “how do they keep getting more horsepower out of that 2.6 liter straight-six engine.” The pat answer is intelligent design enhancements, which might sound like they are hiding something, but when you look under the cowling things do look different from the earlier Verados.

To get more power they had to get more and colder air into the combustion chambers and they accomplished that with a new cold-air intake system that picks up cool fresh air from outside the cowl and delivers it efficiently to the supercharger.

It offers a larger, straighter airflow path with less volume-robbing turbulence. Heat can also be a performance-robbing problem with a system as advanced as the supercharger that pumps up the power and the new 350 addresses that, too. The supercharger is water-cooled as part of the engine’s cooling system. Engine coolant is pumped through a cooling jacket that surrounds the supercharger components, which keeps operating temperatures down, increases the volume of oxygen being pumped through the induction system, reduces component wear and increases overall system durability. The top of the cowl houses a labyrinth design that keeps the powerhead dry while a vented flywheel cover allows engine heat to dissipate more quickly again reducing component wear.

The increased power is routed to the prop through Verado’s already proven 5.44” diameter gearcase, which was designed to handle the rigors of offshore operation where boats can spend as much time out of the water as in. Launch and re-entry at high RPM in rough seas puts a lot of stress on the drive components, but the Verado’s drive gears

are precision-machined at Mercury Marine’s manufacturing facilities to ensure they provide the strength, quality and durability that is needed to survive in an offshore environment. Combined with a specially formulated lower-gearcase lubricant that reduces operating temperatures and increases gearcase efficiency should provide lower maintenance costs and longer engine life.

Recognizing the rush towards more electronic systems on today’s fish boats Mercury upped the ante in the Verado’s charging system, too. It is capable of adaptively increasing engine RPM at low speeds should battery voltage fall below a specific level. The engine will generate additional current for house batteries so that all your electronics keep running without a hitch.

The Verado 350 is available with or without Mercury’s SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) System, which can include the innovative Joystick Piloting feature with Skyhook GPS positioning ability.

There’s a lot more going on with Verado and the new 350, and if it’s sounding good to you, get ahold of your nearest Mercury Outboard dealer or pro fishing representative and dig deeper. You can even get them in custom colors to match your new ride.

And if 350hp isn’t enough, Mercury introduced the Verado 400R at the show, too. It’s a 400hp all out race motor available through Mercury Racing Division. n Gary Caputi is an award-winning outdoor writer and photographer whose work has been featured in national fishing and boating magazines for over 30 years. He is an avid saltwater angler and recreational fishing activist who has been involved in conservation and fisheries management issues for almost as long as he has been writing. His work has appeared regularly in Angler magazine since 2001.

« We’re proud to introduce the next evolution of this market leading outboard series, the innovative Verado

350.

and

powerful

Whether

it’s

installed in single or multipleengine

configurations,

the

Verado 350 delivers everything performance-minded and anglers demand.

boaters

»

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Angler 03.2015

2015 Membership Application

established

Professional Tour Captainʼs Dues .

Competition Member . . . . . . . . .

Competition Family . . . . . . . . . . .

Competition Student . . . . . . . . . .

Associate Member . . . . . . . . . . .

❑ New member

. . . . .

New

❑ $140 ❑ 70 . ❑ 90 . ❑ 50 . ❑ 40

Renewal

. . .. .. .. ..

❑ Renewing member

❑ $140 ❑ 65 ❑ 85 ] ❑ 50 ❑ 40

Competition Student is meant for individual Anglers ages 17-25, currently enrolled in a Collegiate program. Family membership includes one Primary Member plus one family member. A Family Member is a Spouse/Partner or a Child who has not exceeded his 22nd birthday and still lives at home. Additional family members as defined are $30.00 each.

SKA # ___________________

Print or Type Neatly

Name: _______________________________________________________Nickname _________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________

or

City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________________________________________ Home: (_____) _____________________________ Work: (_____) ___________________________ ext:____________

SKA, 4404 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234

Fax with Credit Card no. to: 941.360.6888

1991

Cellular: (_____) ______________________________

or return this application to:

Date of Birth: _____/_____/_____

E-mail: ___________________________________________

Please Note: A Social Security Number (or FEI# for incorporated teams) is required for prizes of $600.00 or more.

Name: _______________________________________ Additional Family Members

www.FishSKA.com

Join Online…

6

Southern Kingfish Association

D.O.B. ___/___/___ Relation _________________________

Name: _________________________________ (+ $30) D.O.B. ___/___/___ Relation _________________________ Name: _________________________________ (+ $30) D.O.B. ___/___/___ Relation _________________________ Name: _________________________________ (+ $30) D.O.B. ___/___/___ Relation _________________________ Payment Method: ❑ Check Enclosed ❑ Visa ❑ MC ❑ AmEx Include all raised digits on credit card: _______________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________

❑ Discover Exp. Date: ___________________________

Print Name on credit card: ______________________________________

Security Code: ___________ (3 digits on back of Visa, MC or Discover. 4 digits on front of AmEx) Boat Name

(boat you will fish this year): _______________________________________

Est. Hull Value: ____________________

Make: __________________________________ Length: _______________ Year:_______ Reg. # ______________ Power Mfg.:_________________________# Motors:______Total HP: ________ Trailer Mfg.: ____________________ When did you purchase your vessel? ____ /____ /____ Current Marine Ins. Provider: _________________________ Are you interested in receiving a complimentary quote from our partner and tournament sponsor NBOA?

❑ Yes

❑ No

By submitting this application for membership each person/family hereby agrees to adhere to all SKA sanctioned and SKA produced tournament rules. No refunds will be issued on memberships. All memberships expire December 31st, however you will continue to receive Angler for the full year. Each primar y member will receive 11 issues of Angler magazine.

Return to:

SKA, 4404 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234

or

Fax with Credit Card no. to: 941.360.6888

Images for illustrative purpose only.

DON’T JUST GO

FISHING HUNTING ,

GO

UNDERWATER WITH WIDE SPECTRUM CHIRP DOWNVISION™ AND SIDEVISION™ TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN SPEND MORE TIME CATCHING FISH, AND LESS TIME LOOKING FOR THEM.

SEE RAYMARINE CHIRP SONAR IN ACTION AT WWW.RAYMARINE.COM

Angler 03.2015

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Under Armour Fishing Team

Wins Key West Pro Event!

2015 Mercury Professional Kingfish Tour Is Muy Caliente!

Top of Page: Under Armour Fishing Team/Caliente had a 102.25 aggregate in Key West on their Mercury-powered Yellowfin. Arik Bergerman, R.W. Keys, Jamey Caldwell, Seth Funt, Jordan Funt, and Dan Hamilton had a 46.82 and a 55.43.

Top Left: SKA’s Erin Henshaw, Michelle Kilburn from Mercury (left) and Jim Butler (right) present the first place check to Under Armour Fishing Team/Caliente.

Above: Lil’ Devil.com receives the second place check from Mercury’s Michelle Kilburn and SKA staff.

Left: Seafood Kitchen accepts the third place check from Mercury’s Michelle Kilburn and SKA staff. Les Stewart from Contender is on the far right.

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Angler 03.2015

P RO Mercury Professional Kingfish Tour — Event 1

/

Key West, Florida

/

January 29–31, 2015

by Christine Rodenbaugh The winter is long for Mercury Pro Tour Teams and the lure of warm Key West waters is strong when the season kicks off at the end of January in conjunction with the annual Murray Marine Stock Island Marina Village King Mackerel Tournament. The Pro format returns to head-tohead competition in 2015 testing the mettle of teams who must travel to fish outside of their home waters. On top of that, points are awarded on their two-fish aggregate for the event. That means teams have to get a good fish on the board Day 1 and back it up with another good fish on Day 2. Winning an event earns the team 300 points toward the Team of the Year title which will be awarded at the final Pro event in Biloxi, Mississippi at the beginning of October. Points are awarded on a sliding scale after first place.

Arik Bergerman’s Under Armour Fishing Team/ Caliente is looking to capture the Team of the Year title and they showed up in Key West ready to rock on their 39’ Yellowfin powered by quad Mercury motors. Arik and his crew, Randy Keys, Jamey Caldwell, Seth Funt, Jordan Funt, and Dan Hamilton, decided to fish away from most of the pack and made the 85-mile run to a spot they had pre-fished. They ran the boat from St. Pete instead of trailering it down to Mile Marker Zero.

It was 8:30 in the morning on the first day and they were all alone with blue runners and goggle eyes held on the surface with kites. “We don’t use downriggers when sharks are around,” Arik explained, “and the kings sky really high on the kite so you can see if it’s big or not.” Their tactics

produced a nice 46.82-pounder on the first day.

That’s a very good start to any tournament.

Confident the spot would produce again, the team didn’t take any chances and made the same run on day two arriving 45 minutes before any other teams showed up. Kites deployed and baits in the water, it was just a matter of waiting for the bite to start. It wasn’t long before a hungry king skied on the bait silhouetted in the morning sun. Arik picked up the rod and the team went to work chasing her down.

With lots of predators in the area, they had to get their catch in the boat quickly. Ten minutes later, Seth set the gaff and pulled the 55.43-pounder over the side. All in a day’s work for the Under Armour Fishing Team. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t win; it’s just good to be there,” remarked Arik.

On this day, they would win. The 102.25-pound aggregate put them in first place at the first 2015 Mercury Pro event and earned the team 300 points toward their quest for Team of the Year.

Mike Jacquin, Chris Blackwell, David Faircloth, and Jimmy Garza are team Lil Devil.com and fish a 40’ Sea Hunter powered by Yamaha. They pre-fished an area about seven miles west of Tail End Buoy and felt like it was a good area holding bait. “We figured we’d try a new spot this year,” said Jacquin. “There is a reef line that runs several miles along there and it seemed like a good spot.” Yes, it was. They had a 42.81 on the board the first day.

On day two, they were pulling a spread of naked blue runners in about 100 feet of water in seas running four to six feet. About 11:00 they got a hit on a line about midway back and Chris picked up the rod. “We were getting bit off by a lot of sharks,” Jacquin said, “and Chris did a good job of getting it to the surface.” Jimmy struck the gaff just behind the eye and it didn’t bleed much so the weight stayed up for the ride back to the scales. They added 49.56 for a two-fish total of 92.37 pounds. The second place finish will certainly make their sponsors happy—Sea Hunter Boats, Yamaha, Raymarine, and Lildevil.com.

Third place goes to the Seafood Kitchen team of Russell Stuart, Mike Collins, Mark Titus, and David Heavenridge on their Yamaha powered 39’ Contender. They fished in the vicinity of the Tail End Buoy also because they heard there were fish there.

The team pulled blue runners in an area that went Mike Jacquin, Chris Blackwell, David Faircloth, and Jimmy Garza had a 92.37 aggregate on their 40’ Yamaha powered Sea Hunter named Lil Devil.com.

Seafood Kitchen took third place. Russell Stuart, Mike Collins, Mark Titus, and David Heavenridge had an 88.22 aggregate on their Yamaha-powered Contender.

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P RO Mercury Professional Kingfish Tour — Event 1

from 80 to 140 feet deep and caught barracudas and sharks, but mostly kings. “In the morning, we were fairly consistent hooking up,” Mike Collins said.

Their big fish came late, very late, on the first day.

The bite tapered off, but they stayed after nearly all the other teams had headed in. “It looked like the bite was starting again,” Mike remarked. At 3:35 they got a bite on one of the long lines. “Russell was on the rod and it took a while to get in,” he explained. “We finally got a look when it started doing the circle and we knew it was a pretty good fish. And then when it wasn’t easy for David to haul in the gaff, we were pretty sure it was a good one.”

He was right—it was just a hundredth of a pound shy of 50 pounds! 49.99 is a great way to start off any tournament.

The team added 38.23 on day two for an aggregate of 88.22 pounds and a third place finish. The team thanks their sponsors: Venus Swimwear, Contender, Yamaha, Cannon Costa, Optima Steering, AmeraTrail, and Seafood Kitchen.

Brandon Smith, Lovick Hornsby, and Chris Prince had never fished together in Key West on their 32-foot Mercury-powered Yellowfin named TortTeaser, so they did a lot of research including talking to friends who had fished tournaments there and consulting Hilton’s charts. Considering water currents and temperature along with weather patterns, they decided on an area known as the Critter about 80 miles due west. “We hoped the weather would let us make the run,” Brandon

/

Key West, Florida

remarked. Eight boats chose the same spot on day one, but only four returned on the second day.

The seas were moderate on Friday and the team was able to make the run pretty well and set out a spread of blue runners secured from both Lee’s Live Bait and Dynamite. The first fish of the day hit a big runner on top about 9:20 in the morning. “It was a good strike and we knew we had a good fish. We have brand new Shimano BFS; Lovick had not used those reels before and discovered they are super smooth,” asserted Brandon. When Chris stuck the fish and pulled it in, Brandon remarked on the size of the head and concluded they were doing alright. The first fish of the team’s first Key West tournament weighed in at 48.60 pounds! Do you think they’ll be back?

Day 2 the team ran with the seas to the same spot; no problem. The wind kicked up in the afternoon and it was a little sporty. “When the other boats left, I considered leaving, too,” he explained, “But we stayed another 90 minutes or so hoping for another bite. There were some serious six-footers on the ride home and we made it back with just 5 minutes to spare.” The team had several cutoffs catching kings and grouper and managed to put another 33.33 pounds on the board for an 81.93 aggregate and a fourth place finish in the Pro event.

Brandon has fished with the SKA since 2001 as the Real Estate fishing team changing over to TortTeaser in 2006. Brandon said, “Stock Island is a nice marina and it’s a great venue. We really appreciate NBOA stepping up to take over the SKA.

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January 29–31, 2015

I’ve never had my boat in clear water and Ocean LED lights in clear water really light it up.” The team also thanks Yellowfin, Mercury, and Simrad.

John and Barbara Adcox made the trip from Jacksonville, Florida to fish their Mercury-powered Onslow Bay named Barbara Ann. The husband and wife team pre-fished and caught bait near the Banana Barge on Thursday. In addition to what they caught, they purchased six blue runners and 18 goggle eyes from Lee to add to the ribbonfish already on board. John noted, “We always like to have several [bait] options. I think what happens sometimes is, after feeding on top, the kings go down and a ribbon on the downrigger entices them to bite. Sometimes we run ribbons in the propwash as a teaser.” But on Friday their strike came on the shotgun way back hitting the biggest blue runner they had. The seas were still bumpy, so they didn’t see any of their fish sky. John chased the king down while Barbara angled it to within gaffing range. That was their first, and biggest, fish of the day at 10:15.

They caught three more, but weighed the first one to put 37.94 pounds on the board.

Team Barbara Ann headed back to the same spot on Saturday, but stopped a little short when they saw good baits in the water. As Barbara deployed the biggest runners they had, they had a hit at 8:15 in the morning. Again the first fish was their biggest fish, a 36.96-pounder. Other teams reported catching unusually large Spanish, a king’s favorite bait according to John, and within ten minutes of deploying a 30-incher they had a massive hit.

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS | Pro Tour Key West

TortTeaser placed fourth on their 32’ Yellowfin powered

by Mercury. Brandon Smith, Lovick Hornsby, Chris Prince, and Mary Coleman Smith had a 81.93 aggregate.

John and Barbara Ann Adcox with Matthew Poulos round out the top five with a 74.90 agg. on their 33’ Onslow Bay powered by Mercury.

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Day 1 Day 2

Agg.

1. UNDER ARMOUR FISHING TEAM/ CALIENTE

Yellowfin / Mercury

Arik Bergerman, R.W. Keys, Jamey Caldwell, Seth Funt, Jordan Funt, Dan Hamilton

46.82

55.43

102.25

2. LIL DEVIL.COM

Sea Hunter / Yamaha

Mike Jacquin, Chris Blackwell, David Faircloth, Jimmy Garza

42.81

49.56

92.37

3. SEAFOOD KITCHEN

Contender / Yamaha

Russell Stuart, Mike Collins, Mark Titus, David Heavenridge

49.99

38.23

88.22

4. TORTTEASER

Yellowfin / Mercury

Brandon Smith, Lovick Hornsby, Chris Prince, Mary Coleman Smith 48.60

33.33

81.93

5. BARBARA ANN

Onslow Bay / Mercury

John Adcox, Barbara Ann Adcox, Matthew Poulos

36.96

74.90

37.94

P RO Mercury Professional Kingfish Tour — Event 1

/

Key West, Florida

/

January 29–31, 2015

But the big fish cut the Spanish clean in half right behind the treble hook. “If he didn’t miss the hook, you would be talking to the winner,” John speculated. “It’s thrilling and disappointing, but you just keep fishing. We knew that we had a chance to get a really huge king.” But the seas were up to ten feet and the duo moved behind the islands.

Barbara Ann rounds out the top five with a 74.90-pound aggregate. “We didn’t get any of the really big ones, but consistency counts and a little bit of luck,” John told Angler magazine. They had six kings on the second day for a couple of really fun and productive days on the water. Not long ago they passed the OUPV (6-pack) test for their captains licenses. “Barbara finished the test before me, so she’s Senior Captain,” quipped John.

The next Mercury Professional Kingfish Tour event is April 23-25 in Sarasota, Florida. Pro teams will vie for precious points in their quest to reign as the 2015 Team of the Year. n

Left to right, top to bottom: The Young Guns team of Lance Irvine, Mike Pellegrini, Doug Perez, Hunter Irvine, Jeremy Rafferty, Carolyn Smith, and Steve Pagan fish a 39’ Mercury powered Contender.

Team Animal House—John Parks, Matt Henderson Team Kingfish Connection— Richard Fabrizi, Ryan Farner, Kenny Dellane, Chad Hickman Native—Jerry Solovskoy, Jeff Silverthorne, Cawley Snibbe, Kevin Farner Palace Saloon— Spencer Ross, Wes Sheffield, Blair Sheffield, Travis Cliett, Brad Maroney, Robert Ross Amy Grace/Team Zebra—David Tedder, Craig Hughes, John Sledge, Chris Gaddy, Randall Edens That’s My Dog— Forrest Taylor, Richard McRae, Brian Richard

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P RO Mercury Professional Kingfish Tour — Event 1

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Key West, Florida

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January 29–31, 2015

Left to right, top to bottom: Bandit—Ron Mitchell, Ted Elliott, David Albritton, Evan Kozak, Mike McCabe Team Don Ray Gear—Zach Railey, Casey Holder, Jacob Choi, Justin Holder, Jack Vasilaros, Peyton Powers, Don Stafford Total Chaos—Jason Solano, Stephen Baker, Morgan Nelson, John King, Brett Johnson Team Tuppens— Steve Sprague, Christopher Sprague, James Gilchrist, Bill Brodbeck, Jason Phillips, Todd Albrecht

2015 PRO POINTS AS OF FEB. 2 UNDER ARMOUR FISHING TEAM/ CALIENTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY ARIK BERGERMAN

WILD RIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 FOUNTAIN / MERCURY RANDY GRIFFIN

LOW COUNTRY NATIVE . . . . . . . . . . 195 PROWLER / SUZUKI KEITH POWELL

PALACE SALOON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY SPENCER ROSS

SWEET CAROLINE III . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 DONZI / MERCURY RON HILDUM

AMY GRACE/TEAM ZEBRA . . . . . . . 230 CONTENDER / YAMAHA DAVID TEDDER

FISH DANCER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 CONTENDER / MERCURY JEFF DUNBAR

THAT’S MY DOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY FORREST TAYLOR

MOTIVATION/HOOK UM UP . . . . . . 180 ONSLOW BAY / YAMAHA ALAN AMBROSE

BANDIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 SEA HUNTER / SUZUKI RON MITCHELL

MANGLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 CONTENDER/YAMAHA MO MANGAN

TEAM DON RAY GEAR . . . . . . . . . . . 215 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY ZACH RAILEY

HOLD’N ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 ONSLOW BAY / SUZUKI ALAN HOLDEN

TOTAL CHAOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 YELLOWFIN / YAMAHA JASON SOLANO

KWAZAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 YELLOWFIN / YAMAHA MARCUS KENNEDY

TEAM KINGFISH CONNECTION . . . . 250 YELLOWFIN / YAMAHA RICHARD FABRIZI

PROMARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY/YAMAHA/ MERCURY KEVIN HANNON

SOLID SURFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 HUNLEY / MERCURY ANDY NETTLES

NATIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 FOUNTAIN / MERCURY JERRY SOLOVSKOY

TEAM TUPPENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 JUPITER / YAMAHA STEVE SPRAGUE

LIL DEVIL.COM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 SEA HUNTER / YAMAHA MIKE JACQUIN SEAFOOD KITCHEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 CONTENDER / YAMAHA RUSSELL STUART TORTTEASER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY BRANDON SMITH BARBARA ANN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 ONSLOW BAY / MERCURY JOHN ADCOX YOUNG GUNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 CONTENDER / MERCURY LANCE IRVINE TEAM ANIMAL HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . 255 WELLCRAFT / YAMAHA JOHN PARKS

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Angler 03.2015

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Marine 2015 Angler 03.2015 13

The Myths and the Magic:

Understanding Fish Forecasting Services

by Sam White

For the dedicated king mackerel fisherman, using fish forecasting services can be a hit or miss proposition. For the most part we head to spots that are known to produce fish year after year, especially if we hear dock reports of big kings being caught there recently. We might take a quick glance at a sea surface temperature shot, but that’s about it.

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Angler 03.2015

But what happens when you arrive at that spot and find that there’s no bait around, or that the water’s turned a lovely shade of chocolate brown—then what? If you’re not using a fish forecasting service then you’re at a huge disadvantage compared to others who are, especially when a shot at the Mercury SKA National Championship is on the line. Let’s take a closer look at what’s available out there today.

What to Look For Fish forecasting services vary widely, from just straight satellite shots of water temperature all the way to fullblown interpretations of that data by a staff of dedicated oceanographers. First, let’s see what information is available and then we’ll talk about ways to better utilize it.

Sea surface temperature (SST) is the chart we’re most used to seeing, with all those colors swirling together.

Knowing that kingfish prefer temperatures between 68 and 72 degrees during their spring and fall migrations, it seems like it would be easy to locate productive water and just fish there. But more importantly are the borders

where two currents meet, especially when this happens over good bottom structure. Those edges are more likely to concentrate baitfish—find the bait and you’re more than likely going to find kingfish. But just looking at a snapshot is like watching a single frame of a video and then trying to figure out how the movie ends. Starting a few days or a week prior, watch how those currents move through the area: if they remain fairly consistent over the course of two or three days or more in the vicinity of good bottom structure, those are the ones to pay special attention to.

One of the newer innovations is the use of cloud-free SST, which uses microwave radiation instead of infrared in order to detect changes in sea surface temperatures.

The good news is that microwaves can “see” through the clouds, producing imagery regardless of the conditions.

The drawback is resolution: it’s not nearly as good as infrared, but it’s better than nothing. Most services will use a combination of infrared and microwave feeds as needed to produce as accurate a chart as possible given the prevailing weather conditions.

Chlorophyll charts are another key piece of the puzzle.

Chlorophyll is the pigment that’s found in phytoplankton; for those not paying attention in biology class, this plant form of plankton is one of the primary food sources for a very wide variety of baitfish. It also affects water clarity.

Lots of plankton produces off-color water while the lack of it makes for clean blue water. So this chart is a great way to locate that “king green” water that’s clear but still holds plenty of food for the bait.

Altimetry is the third chart that’s useful for king mackerel fishermen. Altimetry measures the height of the surface of the ocean—pointing out the “highs” and the “lows.”

The higher points are upwellings, where nutrients and bait from deep below are brought to the surface, while downwellings are just the opposite. While it’s usually not as effective as the previous two, altimetry can also help define the edges or borders of the currents and point the way to productive fishing as well. Generally speaking, upwellings are good while downwellings should be avoided. The data is also unaffected by clouds so even in bad weather it will still offer accurate readings but be sure to watch this one over the course of a week or so for best results.

Armed with a basic understanding of what’s available, let’s see what kind of services are available.

ROFFS Dr. Mitch Roffer was a grad student in the late 70s when he first began studying how to use satellite information to become a better fisherman. By 1989 he had established Roffers Ocean Fish Forecasting Service—ROFFS—and along the way set the benchmark for the industry. Today, ROFFS provides a comprehensive analysis that’s designed for your target species (king mackerel in this case) and they integrate information from both satellite and nonsatellite resources. Then they evaluate the information using over 30 years of research, on-the-water experience and prior success. The data is easy to use and easy to understand too. “The ocean is a living and breathing thing: it moves,” Roffer says. “That’s why we provide a complete analysis and not just an SST or chlorophyll chart. We understand that the best areas are where currents have been consistent for a few days, so that’s important to keep in mind.” And if things change during the day, just give them a call. If you’re within telephone range between the hours of 10:30 and noon, the staff will be happy to give you an update of the actual conditions on the spot.

ROFFS plans are also flexible and inexpensive, ranging from just a single forecast to a full season of analyses as a package.

FishTrack.com Surfers will probably recognize the Surfline/Wavetrak brand, which specializes in surf reports and forecasts for locations around the world since 1985. In 2003, they acquired Buoyweather.com, a popular website for boaters, fishermen and sailors that specializes in worldwide marine forecast data. In 2012, the company launched Fishtrack.com to offer much of that same information plus sea surface and chlorophyll charts to anglers around the world. Users can plot waypoints and also receive updated marine weather forecasts in a “one-stop shop” format. Plus there’s a host of additional content like howto articles, photo galleries and more.

By utilizing fish forecasting services, anglers can concentrate on areas that hold big kingfish like this one.

“What sets us apart is that we offer cloud-free SST charts to everyone, and it’s totally free,” says Charlie Levine, FishTrack.com’s editorial director. “It’s extremely easy to use even for those who aren’t comfortable using other computer programs—we have a great tutorial page that will walk you through it step by step, and we also have our own ‘how-to’ articles on the best ways to use our services.”

Levine says that the premium membership offers global coverage for just one low rate and that SKA members are eligible for a 15-day free trial membership. He also says that a new mobile app is also in the works that will provide updated SST information for any spot in the world right in the palm of your hand so stay tuned for that.

Photo: Brandon D. Shuler, PhD.

Terrafin Satellite Imaging Terrafin is another popular forecast provider that started in 1998. They provide regularly updated SST charts along with chlorophyll, geostrophic currents and altimetry information using a mouse-driven lat/lon/temp tool that’s very handy to use. There are also distance/bearing displays, a chart loop and route planning tools as well.

“We focus on our ability to consistently deliver, which is often easier said than done,” says Terrafin’s Jeff Gammon. “Most providers get their data from the same sources but there are always issues that can affect everyone’s ability to produce their charts each day. With our history and track record we’ve developed ways to access data from redundant sources. We also break down our regions into fairly small and more detailed charts; for example, in Florida we have five big regional views for the northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest and Florida Keys. It’s easier to understand and deliver more accurate information that way.”

ROFFS forecasts feature interpretations of the conditions by certified oceanographers, who literally point the way to productive water.

Angler 03.2015

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Terrafin’s mobile app incorporates nearly all of the functionality of the website and incorporates the internal GPS on phones or tablets for real-time vessel position tracking on the charts. “Guys can grab the latest charts whenever they have a cell signal, or even through satellite internet access,” Gammon says. “It’s a game-changer for on-the-water updates.” The app is available for the iPhone in the Apple store and for Android systems in Google Play.

On the Horizon So what’s new? Mitch Roffer says that there are several new satellites either being launched or planned for the near future from NASA and NOAA so those will provide more views as well as more accurate telemetry. “The Europeans are also putting up some new color satellites so the flow of information should continue to improve,” he reports.

Each of the sources indicated they would be continuing development of various apps to increase the ability of the end user to access the information, and several said they were working with electronics manufacturers to have their data overlaid on the new chartplotters as well. It should be an interesting time to see this develop over the coming months and years. n

Terrafin’s mobile app allows users to see updated information through their tablet or mobile device.

Contacts Roffer’s Ocean Fish Forecasting Service

800-677-7633 www.roffs.com

FishTrack.com

(714) 374-0556 www.fishtrack.com

Terrafin

800-993-0939 www.terrafin.com

Hilton’s Realtime-Navigator

(713) 530-2267 www.realtime-navigator.com

RipCharts

877-526-3442 www.ripcharts.com

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Angler 03.2015

fishing charts services on the market today. And they can do it quickly too. “We believe in the philosophy of making data available to you as soon as it is available to us,” says RipChart’s Phillip Kuebler. “There is no waiting for us to hand select an image. You get everything that’s available, as soon as it is available.” In keeping with that philosophy, they also offer a mobile app for both iPhones and Android systems to keep their subscribers updated as frequently as possible.

Hilton’s Realtime-Navigator Tom Hilton is another veteran of the kingfish circuit, having been around since the early days of online forecast development. Since then his service, Hilton’s Real-Time Navigator, has grown to one of the most popular among hardcore anglers. The keys to success? Hilton’s gives you the ability to not just monitor the conditions offshore but to also customize those reports to make them more useable, even saving them for future reference. For example, you can animate the three-day and seven-day chlorophyll charts to see just where that king-green water is moving (and more importantly, where it’s not).

Then you can navigate to those spots by using the route planning tool, creating waypoints to the most productive water and avoiding areas that are devoid of life.

“We lead the industry with technological advances that provide our subscribers with the very best tools to increase their odds of angling success,” Hilton says. “The new RT-NAV navigation app blows away anything on the market today in regard to the resolution, variety of charts, and ease of implementation. Now you can take our information anywhere you go.” The company is also founded on strong customer service, so it’s comforting to know that help is just a phone call away.

RipCharts.com RipCharts.com provides real-time satellite imagery including SST, True Color, chlorophyll and altimetry.

By utilizing the latest technology, RipCharts is able to produce some of the highest quality online satellite

FishTrack.com also utilizes the weather forecasting services of sister company BuoyWeather, providing anglers with a wealth of information.

Jud Kuhn Chevrolet Announces SKA Special Pricing for Members Only JUD KUHN CHEVROLET, in partnership with the Southern Kingfish Association, is pleased to announce SKA Special Pricing! All current SKA members are eligible and encouraged to take advantage of this terrific offer on new trucks, cars and SUVs. Members are eligible to purchase the new Chevrolet of their choice at an SKA discounted price. Jud Kuhn Chevrolet’s entire stock of new vehicles is being offered at Dealer Invoice Price, minus all applicable rebates. Select your new Chevrolet from the vast inventory at judkuhnchevrolet. com or visit Jud Kuhn Chevrolet in person. For those who are not within the dealership area, simply visit the website (www.judkuhnchevrolet.com), select a vehicle and locate the stock number. Call Jud Kuhn Chevrolet at 843-399-4400 and ask for Greg McCracken, SKA Sales Manager, or Lee Forrest, General Sales Manager. Be sure to mention you are taking advantage of the SKA Special Pricing. Jud Kuhn Chevrolet will assist out-of-state SKA Members with trade-in valuations and methods of vehicle delivery.

You might be wondering, who is Jud Kuhn and what led him to partner with SKA? Anyone who has ever met Jud appreciates this down-to-earth, everyday guy who reels you in with his humble nature and genuine character. This is what I experienced during a recent telephone interview with Jud, although we have never met. As we began talking, I realized how he has balanced family, business and outdoor life. Jud has a passion for his church, community and all areas concerning youth.

He is the owner of Jud Kuhn Chevrolet which began in 2003 and has become a well-known, reputable and successful dealership.

Jud resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his wife of 29 years, Kathy, and son Gavin, whom they adopted at the age of three. “Kathy is awesome, my rock and life partner,” said Jud. Kathy supports Jud and Gavin’s outdoor activities to the fullest. When I mentioned that I do not see Kathy as an active SKA crew member, Jud said, “She loves boats and the sport, but can’t handle the water motion.” After Jud and Kathy adopted Gavin, Jud honestly and compassionately said, “I just want to be a great dad and an active part of Gavin’s life. With being a business owner, dividing your time of responsibility and duty can be a little overwhelming,” Jud explained. To achieve his desire of fatherhood/family man, Jud knew he needed a right-hand person help manage business operations. Lee Forrest was that right choice. Lee’s experience of car sales and loyalty for the past 14 years have enabled Jud to fulfill his family goal of being a dedicated husband and active role model for Gavin.

Jud has always enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing since he was a child. A very dear friend, Mack White, has been Jud’s mentor. Mack has taken Jud and Gavin under his wing, enriching their journey. Jud states, “Mack has taught me so much about fishing and has been so instrumental in my success.” Even on Jud’s farm, with

get-togethers or events happening, Mack will be there and become director. “He just takes charge and takes care of things,” laughs Jud. Now Gavin is following in his dad’s path, becoming active in the outdoors. Jud states, “Gavin eats, breathes and lives hunting.” Gavin loves fishing so much, he set out and got his own small fishing boat and fishes every chance he can. Gavin’s enthusiastic passion for fishing inspired Jud to purchase a boat and become part of the SKA team with their Team “American Pride.” As a child, Jud and his father would go down to the weigh-in docks and Jud was mesmerized by the fully outfitted center console boats coming in. Here we are almost four decades later, and the throwback tournament watching days are a reality. Fully decked out faster boats, mind boggling computerized gadgets and those gold, Penn International reels are what we have today, but the meaning and passion of sport fishing are still the same today as they were for that mesmerized 6-year-old, Jud. Jud, Kathy and his business are very active in their community. Jud stated that his thought process changed when his business was successful, and he said, “I want to go from successful to significant.” Jud Kuhn Chevrolet sponsors several non-profit organizations, such as Rolling Thunder—a POW-MIA and current Veterans of War issues organization, FANtastic—a senior program on behalf of the Horry County Police in donating fans in the heat of 2013, Food Drives with North Strand Helping Hands (a United Way Agency), just to mention a few.

They even hold fundraising events right on the Jud Kuhn Chevrolet premises (and I am not just talking a BBQ). In 2013, Jud Kuhn Chevrolet partnered with WPDE News Channel 15 to have a free concert headlining country

by Marjorie Chavez

singer Colt Ford to benefit the March of Dimes. Ducks Unlimited held an event targeted to 7–17 year olds to give free education about wildlife & conservation. With this event, it taught these young people gun safety, four-wheel safety, duck calling lessons, had a snake exhibit and falcon hunting exhibition. Jud Kuhn Chevrolet will have the Myrtle Beach Car Club (assists needy families in Horry and surrounding Counties) along with Cecil Chandler’s original Sock Hop for “Cruise-In,” happening twice this 2015 year.

Dear to Jud’s heart is helping the youth. Jud Kuhn Chevrolet, along with the Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation, have worked together to raise money for Youth Programs/Activities. When Jud and his team, American Pride, went to the 2014 Nationals in Biloxi, Jud was moved when he saw all the junior anglers in the SKA family. He realized at the awards ceremony that SKA had his same compassion for youth, the desire to invest, educate and enhance a child’s life. SKA promotes the foundations of Jud’s parenting roles—family togetherness while making lasting memories. This inspired Jud to become more active with SKA and become a partner.

In addition to SKA Special Pricing, Jud Kuhn Chevrolet supports the 2015 SKA Junior Angler plaques presented at each event.

Jud’s strong balance in life has created a circle of friends and acquaintances who work together to enrich others and make a difference. I felt a part of that circle when I finished talking with Jud. He made me smile and proud that we are all a part of a great family—the SKA Family!

Let’s all make lasting memories that can be handed down from this generation to the next and the next. n

“ We L t o M o o k Fo r wa ee t in rd G o i ng g Yo u a n d Fi s h i n g!”

JUD KUHN CHEVROLET

in Partnership with SOUTHERN KINGFISH ASSOCIATION, is pleased to announce:

SKA SPECIAL PRICING!

ALL CURRENT SKA MEMBERS ARE BEING OFFERED DEALER INVOICE PRICING Current SKA Members are eligible to purchase a new vehicle at an SKA Discount.

Be sure to mention you are taking advantage of the SKA Special Pricing.

CONTACTS: Greg McCracken, SKA Sales Manager Lee Forrest, General Sales Manager 3740 Highway 9 East Little River, SC 29566 843-399-4400

www.JudKuhnChevrolet.com Angler 03.2015

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Key W est

Big Fish at 2015 SKA Season Opener!

by Kevin Foley The 2015 Mercury Tournament Trail kicked off Jan. 28th at the 19th Annual Murray Marine / Stock Island Marina Village King Fish tournament in Key West, Florida. Things got off to a good start on Wednesday night with a meet and greet party at the Duval Inn. With over 200 in attendance, live music, open bar and an amazing barbecue with Mercury Marine’s own Michelle Kilburn and Mercury Marine mechanic extraordinaire Scott Beattie acting as chefs they cooked and dished out an amazing assortment of grilled fresh fish, a medley of grilled meats, Capt. Roy Smith’s famous seasoned shrimp on the barbie and, my personal favorite, the delicious chicken wings to the hungry crowd!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors including Lee Murray, Mercury Motors, NBOA Insurance, Tito’s Vodka and Corey Hansen and the Duval Inn for making this wonderful event happen!

Thursday morning was a beehive of activity over at the Stock Island Village Marina, with all the sponsors setting up their trailers and tents, boats showing up and fishermen, sponsors and old friends greeting each other and swapping stories! Even Jack and Deona Holmes were on the scene enjoying their retirement but still maintaining a connection with one of the things they love which of course is the camaraderie these fishing tournaments provide!

Registration started at 3pm and fishermen and women were arriving and signing up! Thanks to Deona Holmes and Erin Henshaw from the SKA who commandeered the registration desks and

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Angler 03.2015

signed every one up! When at last everyone was signed up and all the paperwork complete there was a total of 71 boats: 26 boats in the Pros and 45 in Division 10. After a short captain’s meeting, everyone headed out to eat and make ready for the early morning check-out!

Friday morning dawned clear and with an amazing sunrise! Wind 10-15 kt. range and small seas. A nice 74 degrees temp. Conditions were perfect for a day of fishing in one of the best fishing areas in the world! Most of the boats navigated toward the Dry Tortugas at distances of about 20 to 40 miles away. The weather remained beautiful throughout the day and combined with the numerous amount of tourist in the area escaping the blizzards up North and the wonderful marketing campaign which included advertisements on the radio and TV promoting the tournament, lots of people were showing up at the marina and by 3:00pm when the check-in and weighing started, there was a good sized crowd on hand to check out the action!

Jim Butler from the SKA was on the mic keeping everyone informed on who and what was happening and Bob Flocken was in charge of manning the scales and weighing the fish! The first three boats to weigh fish had numbers in the 20-30 pounds.

But when the fourth boat, Three of a Kind, arrived and approached the scales and took the fish out of the bag, weighmaster Bob had to have some help from Jim Butler to lift it up to the scale! When Bob finally had the fish on the hook he stepped back and

I heard Deona Holmes say, “Oh, my goodness!” Bob looked at the scale and told Jim Butler to announce 78 pounds. Jim made the announcement and said this could be a new record! The crowd let out a tremendous applause with whistles and lots of cheers! The buzz spread thru the marina and soon there were even more people arriving to check out the scene! The weigh-in continued for another two hours with one Kingfish weighing in at 67 pounds and a few in the 50 pound range!

The crowd finally dispersed, boats were cleaned up and made ready for the next day’s fishing and everyone looking forward to getting some more big fish the next day! Sat. morning dawned once again with a beautiful sunrise but the wind was up (20-25kts) and the seas were being forecast to be in the 7-10 foot range! About 50 boats headed out into rough conditions hoping to catch a big one! Many boats returned early but the ones who stuck it out were rewarded with some nice Kingfish!

After the weigh-in was over there was a nice awards ceremony on the grounds of the Stock Island Village Marina. Once again thank you, thank you, thank you to all the great fishermen and women who participated, all the sponsors, and volunteers and especially to all the spectators who came out to offer support and all the crew and dockmasters at Stock Island Village Marina! n Look for full tournament coverage in the April issue of Angler!

Angler 03.2015

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Three of a Kind Catches 78.66-pound Smoker in Key West!

by Jack Holmes

As the teams returned to the Stock Island Marina Village weigh-in dock Friday afternoon, the large spectator crowd was treated to some trophy catches, none better than that of Charles and Christopher Cone’s spectacular catch. “We knew she was a good fish but we had no idea it would be a record catch,” said Charles.

Weighmaster, Bob Flocken needed help to hoist her onto the electronic hanging scale. As the scale settled he bellowed out 78.66 then Jim Butler immediately announced the weight to the large spectator crowd over the PA system as they erupted in amazement. It was a pending world record on 20-pound test line and the biggest fish ever scaled in the 24-year history of SKA competition and 19 years of Murray’s event. Needless to say, no one would come close to this weight the rest of the weekend. This was that once-in-a-lifetime trophy fish. That fish netted them the $10,000 top prize. Charles is from Newport, North Carolina and son Christopher is the Commander of the Coast Guard station in Key West.

“My son and I ran 40 miles west of Key West,” began Charles. “We worked an area from 70' up to 130'. Our first strike acted just like a big wahoo but ultimately we lost her. It could have been a big king also; we just never got a look at her. The second strike came at 10:30. A medium lined goggle eye near the surface did the trick but after the initial 300 yard run and diminished line on the reel, we still couldn’t get the rod out of the holder. We never saw this fish either.” Charles went on to

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Angler 03.2015

elaborate, “We finally got the rod out and commenced to gain line. After an intense half hour struggle we had her in our sights but hoisting a big king in the boat was no easy task. When she hit the deck we both could not believe our eyes.

We had no idea just how big she was but neither of us had ever seen one that big either. She was a very special fish! I’ll never forget this day.” n

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Trailer Rating: The trailer you choose must have sufficient load-carrying capacity for the boat you are hauling. Federal guidelines require every boat trailer to have a plate or stamp with the trailers identification and statistics.

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Trailering and towing a boat requires many challenges. That’s why it is very important to select the right trailer for your boat as well as your tow vehicle. Knowledge of your trailer and its components will ensure towing safely and effectively, therefore making your towing experience as pleasurable as your boating.

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3

4th ANNUAL KINGS FOR VETS KMT

/

Charleston, South Carolina

/

October 10–11, 2014

MISDIRECTION MAYHEM Team Low Country Native Survives Reverse Play to Win Kings for Vets

37.90 Low Country Native 22

Angler 03.2015

Scott Flanders, Jason Hogg, and Austin Flanders took first place with a 37.90 on Low Country Native. Austin was the Top Junior Angler.

If

by David A. Brown

the pun police will grant us a pass for this piscatorial parlance, we can say that Scott Flanders’ competitors were green with envy, while the object of the interest was green with rage. That pretty well summarizes the winning performance of Flanders and his Low Country Native team at the 4th annual Kings for Vets tournament out of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. But we don’t like summaries in the fishing world. We like stories—tales of challenging obstacles, dramatic encounters and spirited achievement. Make that check, check and check for the Low Country Native team, which topped the field with a 37.90-pound kingfish.

Starting at the Charleston Inlet, Flanders’ usual 1-2-3 bait-catching operation had him counting considerably higher. Put it this way, the team fished the Liar’s Hole in 70 feet of water east of Charleston Inlet and they didn’t get out there until 8:30am.

“We kind of struggled to catch bait that morning,” Flanders recalled. “We caught our bait off the Morris Island lighthouse in 16 feet. They were off the beach a little bit. I think that maybe the cooler weather we had before the tournament might have pushed them out deeper. But when we got them, they were nice ‘flip-flop’ pogies.”

3

4th ANNUAL KINGS FOR VETS KMT

So, with a well full of ammo, the team headed to their hole and quickly settled into search mode.

Flanders said he knew that somewhere along the hard bottom patch of about a mile square, a sweet spot would surely appear.

“We were trolling and looking for good marks of bait stacked up,” the winning captain said. “Where we caught the winning fish, we were marking a really good area with bait coming up 20 feet off bottom. The first time we went over the number, we caught a 30-pounder. We continued to work that area where we marked that bait and it seem like every time we passed over the number, we caught (an amberjack) or a king.”

Of the eight kings the team would bring to the boat, their biggest one was by far the most memorable— and not only for its winning weight. This king

/

Charleston, South Carolina

/

October 10–11, 2014

left an impression on Flanders; and that’s no easy accomplishment with an angler who’s been at this for nearly two decades.

and when it came to the surface, we saw it was an amberjack so we cut that one off and focused on the one that hit the rocket launcher.”

Here’s the play-by-play: Around 11am, the downrigger set at 30 feet popped and something started screaming off with the naked pogy. Austin Flanders, son of the captain, grabbed that rod and held firm while the fish ran. Moments later, the rocket launcher went off and now the team faced that nerve-racking task of sizing up the opportunities and deciding where to focus their effort.

Good call, because Mr. Rocket Launcher fish wasn’t happy about the surprise he found in that pogy and he was about to make life really interesting.

“We turned on the other fish that Jason Hogg was fighting went after him to get line back,” Flanders said. “As soon as we turned and faced the fish and started getting line back, that fish hit the brakes, turned around and came straight back to the boat.

I’ve never seen Jason reel so fast in his life. That fish swam right at the bow of the boat and Jason yelled ‘Neutral! Get the gaff!’ By the time I had reached to the back of the boat to get the gaff and looked up, that fish ran across the front of the boat and swam at an angle toward the back of the boat.”

“That rocket launcher fish was really screaming and it looked like it was going to dump us,” the elder Flanders recalled. “I told Austin to thumb spool and try to get that one up because we hadn’t seen it yet. Austin did a great job of working his fish up

Fast-paced action, atypical kingfish behavior, close quarters—sounds like the makings of just another big one that got away; but not this time. This time, the combination of skillful rod handling and a lightning bolt gaff job put an end to the line-busting career of one sneaky kingfish.

“That fish was probably eight to ten feet off the boat and I reached under Jason’s leader and gaffed him,” Flanders said. “I have never gaffed a bigger fish that was so green and I’ve been fishing SKA events since 1999. It nearly took the gaff out of my hands.

We finally got it in the boat and it went ballistic in the boat for a couple of minutes. It was 53 inches long. That was the biggest kingfish I’ve weighed in South Carolina waters. We were so excited. We had probably half the fleet fishing around us, so a lot of people saw us boat that fish.”

Awash with emotion after this adrenalin-filled thrill ride, the team remained in the area, but dialed down the intensity to a noticeably relaxed level. Stowing the king gear, they broke out the butterfly jigs and had fun playing with the black sea bass. Austin actually caught a 20-pound king on the butterfly jig—the first such catch his dad had ever seen.

“We just kind of dilly-dallied around for a while,” Flanders said. “We had other boats radioing us and saying ‘You must have a good one if you’re just dillydallying around like that.’”

Nauti-Gull took second with a 37.30. Chad Sullivan, Chance Sullivan, Brian Wilkinson, Sarah Burke, and Isa Wilkinson fish a Sailfish powered by Yamaha.

Chance Sullivan & Isa Wilkinson were 2nd place SKA Junior Anglers.

Robert Olsen, Raymond Stivender, Andrew Olsen rounded out the top 3 on Knot@Work with a 35.90.

Andrew was 3rd place Jr. and Robert was Top Senior.

Angler 03.2015

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3

4th ANNUAL KINGS FOR VETS KMT

/

Charleston, South Carolina

/

October 10–11, 2014

Now, with a whopper king in their bag, you’d think the heart-racing stuff would be over for the Low Country Native team. Well, fate is a fickle vixen and she saved another round of white-knuckled anxiety for the soon-to-be champs.

Up until their second-place catch shortly before noon, Team Nauti Gull had been using live menhaden caught right off Morris Island. Their biggest king, however, ate a ribbonfish off a downrigger set at 18 feet.

Thinking that the weigh-in closed at 5:00, Flanders closed up shop around 1:30 and made the 90-minute run back to the check-in. Well, he was actually an hour ahead of schedule, so with the weighin actually closing at 6:00, he and his team had to watch a bunch of other fish weighed—including a 52-incher that had them holding their breath until the scale confirmed its second-place weight of 37.30.

“We had just put a 32 in the boat after it skied in the prop wash,” Sullivan said. “There had been a lot of weeds in there but they finally blew out and we were able to get a downrigger bait (deployed). I had just put another prop bait out and I then I put that downrigger down. Our big fish hit it within maybe five minutes.”

“As we’re sitting there waiting for the weigh-in to end, you start to wonder about coming in early, as opposed to staying out longer and leaving that fish in the bag and losing weight. I guess we made the right call.” You did, indeed, cap’n. Team Low Country Native also took first place for Junior Angler.

Second Place 》NAUTI GULL A solid mid-30-pound practice fish was all it took for Chad Sullivan to commit Team Nauti Gull to a patch of hard bottom in 50 feet about 12 miles south of Charleston Inlet. Nabbing second place with a fish that went 37.30 justified the decision.

The Nauti Gull crew pulled into the area at 7:15 and the show started immediately. Sullivan said the first bait his team tried to set was intercepted within a few feet of the boat. From there, it was more of the same for nearly four hours.

“We marked very little activity, but the fish were there,” Sullivan said. “We couldn’t get more than one bait out at a time until 11:00. It was non-stop action until about 11. We caught 27 kings on that spot.”

Junior angler Chance Sullivan got the rod duty and his dad stuck the fish about 10 minutes later.

“Chance did a great job,” the captain said. “He’s 12 and he’s been doing this about eight years. He reels in most of our fish and he has a lot of experience.”

Essential to his team’s success, Sullivan said, was being at the right place at the right time—and seizing the moment of opportunity. “That’s not a place I typically like to fish,” he said. “We prefished four spots on Friday and something told me to check this spot. The reason I went there originally was that the water was really good and clean. Also, that was the only place on Friday where there weren’t any weeds, but we had a big wind shift Friday night and all those weeds blew in there. We were battling weeds all morning, but as soon as they cleared out and we were able to put that downrigger down, the fish was there.”

Third Place 》KNOT@WORK Capt. Robert Olsen led Team Knot@Work to a third-place finish in a day that defined “fast and furious.” The show took place over live bottom in 50 feet of water about 25 miles south of Charleston Inlet. Olsen said he knew the wind was coming out of the south so he planned to run far south and

fish his way back north. As it turned out, he only needed one spot. Here, his team kept busy with a seemingly non-stop process of baiting rigs and fighting fish. Capping the show was a 35.9 that ate a live menhaden with a ZMan Lures Pearl Baby Skirt at 8:30 in the morning.

“The bite was so good that we ran out of bait at 10:30 and I ran back in 10 miles to catch more on Edisto Beach,” Olsen said. “Most of the fish we were catching were between 25 and 30 pounds, so we stayed there until 4 o’clock. We had five over 30 pounds.”

Although he kept downrigger baits deployed, Olsen said that all of his team’s bites were on top. Their biggest fish hit a flat-lined pogy in the prop and gave the team a memorable show that embodied the tone of the day. “He skied on the bait, missed it and skied again,” Olsen said. “We had six fish sky on baits and all of them were over 30 pounds. It was a pretty epic bite. We haven’t had a bite like that off South Carolina in many years. That water had cooled down to 75 degrees and with the calm ocean, it made the fish want to feed. Also, there was a lot of bait in the water column and a lot on top.”

Olsen’s son, Andrew, fought the big fish for about 20 minutes and Raymond Stivender gaffed it. All’s well that ends well, but that cliché does nothing to dissuade complications. “It almost dumped the whole spool,” Olsen said of his big fish. “We actually had two on at one time. As soon as we turned around to chase that big fish, the other one hit. That other fish was a 33.”

Luckily the bigger fish had taken enough line offshore that the other one came in at a different angle and actually ran under the first to bite. As Andrew worked the bigger fish into view, the team immediately recognized the priority. “When we saw

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS | 4th Annual Kings for Vets KMT

Lbs.

1. LOW COUNTRY NATIVE

Prowler / Yamaha

Scott Flanders, Jason Hogg, Austin Flanders

37.90

2. NAUTI GULL

Sailfish / Yamaha

Chad Sullivan, Chance Sullivan, Brian Wilkinson, Sarah Burke, Isa Wilkinson

37.30

3. KNOT @ WORK

Sportsman / Yamaha

Robert Olsen, Raymond Stivender, Andrew Olsen

35.90

Sportsman / Yamaha

Robert Olsen, Raymond Stivender, Andrew Olsen

35.90

Small Boat Class 1. KNOT@WORK 2. Lil-Loo-er 3. SUSAN ELIZABETH

24

Angler 03.2015

33.20 Contender / Yamaha

Mark Hamner, Susan Hamner

28.10

Top Lady Angler

Susan Hamner

SUSAN ELIZABETH

28.10

Top SEnior Angler

Robert Olsen

KNOT@WORK

35.90

Top Junior Angler

Austin Flanders

LOW COUNTRY NATIVE

37.90

3

4th ANNUAL KINGS FOR VETS KMT

a lot of green in the fish and we didn’t see a lot of silver or white, we knew it was a good fish,” Olsen said. “We immediately put the other rod in the rod holder to take care of (the bigger) fish.”

Team Knot@Work also placed first in the Small Boat Class and took the top Senior Angler award.

Olsen thanked the team’s sponsors Pure Fishing, Charleston Angler and ZMan Lures.

Third Place Small Boats 》SUSAN ELIZABETH Competing as a two-person team is challenging enough, but for Mark Hamner and his wife Susan, taking third in the Small Boat Class and top Lady Angler proved downright exhausting. The reason: weeds, lots of weeds. The Hamners caught just one kingfish—a 28.1—over live bottom in 65 feet of water, about 18 miles south of Charleston Inlet.

Their fish hit a live pogy on a downrigger set at 40 feet right at high noon. Mark Hamner said they had two more runs that fizzled and released a couple of sharks. Operational interference, he said, greatly curtailed their efforts, but faith in his spot paid off in the end.

“We’ve fished there before and knew there was a lot of bait there,” he said. “It was actually tough fishing because the wind blew a lot weeds into the area. We spent much of our morning dealing with

/

Charleston, South Carolina

/

October 10–11, 2014

the weeds. I’m glad we didn’t move. We were just about to move to another live bottom spot in that general area when our fish hit.”

Hamner said their lone king seemed intent on making up for their lack of bites with enthusiasm to spare: “It was a feisty fish; we thought it was bigger. It’s been my experience that the smaller fish fight harder than the big ones. They’re probably like us—the younger ones have more energy. The fish ran probably 150 yards and my wife headed to the bow while I pulled the other lines out and get back (to the helm). It circled the boat and my wife did a great job of handling the rod. I made two attempts with a six-foot gaff and got him on the second attempt.”

After a long day, a little R&R is certainly in order, but for the Hamners, their weed-fighting fiasco had sapped their energy. “We actually missed the awards ceremony because I came home and fell asleep—I was so tired from dealing with weeds,” Hamner said. “We didn’t even know where we had finished until we heard about it after the ceremony.”

Hamner thanks the service department at Tailwalker Marine for keeping his boat in fishing form and the event’s organizers for a fine production. n

SKA Top Junior Anglers

Sponsored by: NBOA Marine Insurance 1. Austin Flanders

LOW COUNTRY NATIVE

37.90

2. Chance Sullivan & Isa Wilkinson

NAUTI GULL

37.30

3. Andrew Olsen

KNOT @ WORK

35.90

Mercury Junior Angler Scholarship Award Graeson Ford

REEL THRILL / TEAM BONE SUCKIN’ SAUCE

Left to right, top to bottom: Mark and Susan Hamner took 3rd in the Small Boat Class on their Yamaha powered Contender—Susan Elizabeth. Susan was Top Lady Angler.

Sea Quail—Inman Coleman, Russ Mitcham, Greg Madray Tailwalker—Stuart Ballard, Brent Ballard, Jamie Altman The Yates Sea team of Dave C. Yates, David L. “Papa” Yates fish a Contender powered

by Yamaha.

Angler 03.2015

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4th ANNUAL KINGS FOR VETS KMT

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Charleston, South Carolina

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October 10–11, 2014

Left to right, top to bottom: Mangler—Moe Mangan, Tom Mangan, Jason Hehr, Steve Schmidt Miss Jenn IV—Ron Greene, Jay Hall, Andy Williams Solid Surface— Andy Nettles, Drew Nettles, E.J. Nettles, Bryce Bell, Andy Tomberlin Reel Thrill—Vaughn Ford, Kim Ford, Graeson Ford, Mercury Junior Scholarship Award, Graeson Ford

2015 SKA

POINTS

Please note that tournament points are downloaded from the SKA database near the 10th of each month. For the latest point standings, go to the SKA website at www.FishSKA.com

DIV 10 | Open Class Key West UNDER ARMOUR FISHING TEAM/ CALIENTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.43 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY ARIK BERGERMAN LOW COUNTRY NATIVE . . . . . . . . 54.48 PROWLER / SUZUKI KEITH POWELL SPICED RUM III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.93 CONTENDER / YAMAHA BILL WUMMER SEAFOOD KITCHEN . . . . . . . . . . . 49.99 CONTENDER / YAMAHA RUSSELL STUART LIL DEVIL.COM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.56 SEA HUNTER / YAMAHA MIKE JACQUIN SUNDANCE KID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.90 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY SCOTT LAMBETH TORTTEASER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.60 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY BRANDON SMITH TOOL TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.30 YELLOWFIN / YAMAHA ERIC MYERS

26

Angler 03.2015

CHOPPY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.04 CONTENDER / YAMAHA CHRIS PERRY

KNOT SCARED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.71 CONTENDER / MERCURY MICHAEL FAUROT

PREFERRED MARINE . . . . . . . . . . 36.96 DAKOTA / MERCURY KIRK BEATTIE

FISH DANCER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.46 CONTENDER / MERCURY JEFF DUNBAR

SEAS THE DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.94 INTREPID / MERCURY J KELLY

TEAM CORONA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.50 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY JIM BREAZEALE

TEAM KINGFISH CONNECTION . . 40.41 YELLOWFIN / YAMAHA RICHARD FABRIZI

TEAM ANIMAL HOUSE . . . . . . . . 36.90 WELLCRAFT / YAMAHA JOHN PARKS

LINA FISHING TEAM . . . . . . . . . . 33.97 INVINCIBLE / YAMAHA ERIC NEIDORF

DIV 10 | Small Boats

WILD RIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46.05 FOUNTAIN / MERCURY RANDY GRIFFIN

YOUNG GUNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.19 CONTENDER / MERCURY LANCE IRVINE

BANDIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.23 SEAHUNTER / SUZUKI RON MITCHELL

MOTIVATION/HOOK UM UP . . . . 32.76 ONSLOW BAY / YAMAHA ALAN AMBROSE

PROTEGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.68 SEA HUNTER / YAMAHA BILLY DELPH

WALLEYE II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.72 SEA CRAFT / YAMAHA JOHN THOMAS

LAGERHEAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.21 CONTENDER / YAMAHA DOUG SPEELER

AMY GRACE/TEAM ZEBRA . . . . . 44.54 CONTENDER / YAMAHA DAVID TEDDER

TEAM SALT ROCK . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.35 CONTENDER / YAMAHA CODY CHIVAS

PALACE SALOON . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.79 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY SPENCER ROSS

PROMARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.56 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY/YAMAHA/ MERCURY KEVIN HANNON

SET 4 LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.35 CAPE HORN / YAMAHA LOUIS ARRAZOLA

X-TENDED PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.11 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY GLENN BAILEY

WEE DOGGIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.60 FOUNTAIN / YAMAHA JOEY CRISP

TRIPLE J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43.72 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY PJ MYERS

BARBARA ANN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.94 ONSLOW BAY / MERCURY JOHN ADCOX

TOTAL CHAOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.25 YELLOWFIN / YAMAHA JASON SOLANO

AUGGY ONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.81 CONTENDER / MERCURY MARCUS DAVILA

THAT’S MY DOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.87 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY FORREST TAYLOR

NATIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.89 FOUNTAIN / MERCURY JERRY SOLOVSKOY

TEAM TUPPENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.76 JUPITER / YAMAHA STEVE SPRAGUE

TEAM DON RAY GEAR . . . . . . . . . 37.16 YELLOWFIN / MERCURY ZACH RAILEY

REEL ANARCHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.69 CONTENDER / YAMAHA FLOYD MILLER

ALL IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.64 WELLCRAFT / EVINRUDE TERRY MCCRAY WRECKLESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.35 CONTENDER / MERCURY KYLE POTTS SWEET CAROLINE III . . . . . . . . . . 27.74 DONZI / MERCURY RON HILDUM PURSE SNATCHER/CASAMIGOS TEQUILA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.46 CONTENDER / YAMAHA BRIAN HUMPREYS LONGSHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.52 YELLOWFIN / YAMAHA SAMMY PERKINS

Key West LOST BOYS FISHING TEAM . . . . . 67.30 ISLAND RUNNER / MERCURY RICH COOK KAT’S RIVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.06 WORLD CAT / EVINRUDE FRANK LANGDON BADA BING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.90 REGULATOR / MERCURY SAMMY PAPIA BRUTE DUSKY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.22 DUSKY / MERCURY DICK RUSSELL SOM BEACH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.51 MAKO / EVINRUDE STEVEN RICHARDS HOLD’N ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.67 ONSLOW BAY / SUZUKI ALAN HOLDEN

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Angler 03.2015

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4th ANNUAL NC TROOPERS ASSOC. SALTWATER CHALLENGE

/

Morehead City, NC

/

October 24–26, 2014

I X T Y PO S 4

1

UN

D C L UB

20 1

NC Troopers KMT Win A Walk in the Park for Team Hot Rod

Brett Barnes shocked everyone with a 60.32 on his Yamaha powered Contender named Hot Rod. He had the biggest fish in the D1 final event of 2012 as well—a 47.12!

60.32 Hot Rod 28

Angler 03.2015

by David A. Brown

Who said no excitement can’t be exciting? Well, it certainly wasn’t for Brett Barnes—he and his Hot Rod crew topped the NC Troopers King Mackerel Tournament with a monstrous 60.32-pound fish on a day that was otherwise, not terribly eventful. A bottom-line deal, these kingfish tournaments are, so Barnes is not arguing. In fact, the only regret he expressed was that he didn’t have a more glamorous story to tell. No worries captain; considering how often the sea and its toothy critters make life difficult for those trolling wire rigs, it’s actually pretty cool when we get to tell of nice days that turn out well.

Starting with the morning launch out of Beaufort Inlet, the team fished the east side of the Cape Lookout Shoals. Right there, the story could’ve held a dramatic element had an angry sea made the shoal crossing a dicey move. Not the case on this day. Rather, a light northwest wind and clear conditions made for a pleasantly unchallenged run. Backing up a step, even the morning bait effort was easy-peasy. “We caught our menhaden right outside Beaufort Inlet,” Barnes said. “It was one throw.”

On the east side, Barnes and Team Hot Rod fished an area of approximately one mile square within a patchy system of live bottom in 60 feet. This was an area they knew well and they found favorable conditions bolstering the optimism.

“Historically, I’ve done well there,” Barnes said. “I felt very positive with the

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4th ANNUAL NC TROOPERS ASSOC. SALTWATER CHALLENGE

/

Morehead City, NC

calm weather and that time of year the fishing is usually really good. There was good bait marking throughout the water column and on the surface. It was fairly steady throughout the morning.”

not jerk,” he said. The captain concluded with this summation: “Calmer seas probably helped us get that fish in without a struggle. I wish I had a more eventful story but we were very excited.”

At high noon, the winning fish bit a pogy on the medium top line. Notably, that position produced the team’s five other kings, which weighed 20 to 40 pounds. Chris Cecchi picked up the rod and deftly handled the day’s largest kingfish throughout a 25-minute fight. As Barnes recalls, the big fish was more dash than dazzle. It made one very good, long run of about 325 yards and then we just worked him back to the boat,” Barnes said. “It came up fairly easily and made one pass. I gaffed it on that first pass. It was an atypical fight; it didn’t make any secondary run or death circle. It was hooked cleanly in the mouth.”

Barnes thanked First Bank, the best community bank in North Carolina. He also gave a kind nod to the SKA’s new ownership for taking over the helm and steering the organization into a promising future.

At boatside, Barnes had a significant target for his gaff shot, but experience told him to avoid assumptions and overzealous efforts. “I think [gaffing] is a lot easier when it’s a larger fish, but the key is to control the gaff, pull it steadily and

SECOND PLACE 》BLUE WATER CANDY/ KNOT RIGHT Fishing amid a fleet of tournament boats just a couple miles off Ocracoke Inlet, Jodie Gay’s Team Blue Water Candy/Knot Right caught a 50.20-pound king over hard bottom in 40 feet. Following two other kings, the big king ate its last meal around 10:00 over a patch of hard bottom. “We had fished this area before and it had been producing a lot of fish,” Gay said. “This time of year the big fish are moving through and this is just one of the places they cross. The Outer Banks is just a tremendous area to fish. There’s a lot of bait moving through those waters. There’s not a lot of live bottom, so the

/

October 24–26, 2014

fish tend to congregate around what hard bottom they find. It was definitely ready that weekend to give up some big fish.”

The second-place team fished a mix of bluefish and pogies. Their biggest king ate the latter on a Blue Water Candy rig comprising double No. 4 trebles and 40-pound American Fishing Wire braided cable. The fish hit a flat line set back at 200 feet.

Timmy Parker got the rod duty and Scott Pelletier applied the gaff about 20 minutes later. “We looked at the fish a long time before we got a gaff in him,” Gay said. “We got a look at him early and when he saw the boat, he made three pretty long runs.

Everything went really well. We had another fish later on that ran up under another boat. We got him out, but that made it tough.”

On that point, Gay lauded the cooperation and sportsmanship displayed by several teams in the fleet. Proximity always accelerates the potential for entanglements, but mutual consideration goes a long toward ensuring a good time for all. “When you’re fishing in that big a ball of boats everyone has to [cooperate],” Gay said. “Everyone who fishes up there regularly does a good job of that. We don’t want to cut anyone’s fish off.”

D CLUB UN

F 14

IFTY PO

Team Blue Water Candy/Knot Right caught a total of eight kingfish during the tournament. Essential to their success, Gay said, is a simply indomitable spirit. “We’re probably the oldest team out there, but everybody on the team gives 120 percent,” Gay said. “The youngest guy on the boat was 50 and three of us are 55. We’re the elderly group, but we give it all we’ve got.”

Team Blue Water Candy/Knot Right’s Timmy Parker won the Top Senior Angler award.

THIRD PLACE 》WALL HANGER Brian Allen’s Team Wall Hanger may not have caught the event’s biggest king, but they seemed to have found the most impatient fish of the weekend.

Fishing over live bottom in 60 to 70 feet on the east side of the Cape Lookout Shoals, Allen was feeding out a live bluefish when 50 pounds of toothy rudeness said “I’ll take that,” and it was off to the races.

20

“I had fished that spot a couple weeks prior and we had caught good fish there,” Allen said of his main area. “On that day there were some false albacore and Spanish mackerel on the surface hitting glass

Wall Hanger joined the 2014 50-pound Club and won 3rd place. Brian Allen, Stacy Allen, and Grimes Medlin fish a Yellowfin / Yamaha. Stacy was the Top Lady Angler.

49.92, Stan Hollingsworth and Stuart Flynn had a great 49.92 on their Sea Hunt / Yamaha called Bugn-a-Rug Exterminators.

Angler 03.2015

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4th ANNUAL NC TROOPERS ASSOC. SALTWATER CHALLENGE

minnows. There wasn’t a ton of bait on the surface but there was a lot of bait marking in the water column.” Allen said the 36-pounder his team boated around 9am was encouraging, but given the propensity for big fish in the fall, they were not comfortable with what they had in the bag.

The morning bite had actually fizzled for a couple of hours, but the team’s tenacity paid off with an afternoon bite that yielded five kings in about 30 minutes—including their third-place smoker, which nearly blistered Allen’s thumb.

When the big fish grabbed the bait, Allen handed the rod to Grimes Medlin while he cleared the remaining lines and his wife/Top Lady Angler Stacy Allen drove the boat. With deck in order, Brian took over the wheel and got after the big fish. Once they had their big fish at boatside, they switched again, so Brian could handle the gaff duty. “We had one on around 30 pounds and I was feeding a bait out when that 50-pounder hit,” Allen said. “We saw that the other fish wasn’t going to help us, so we pulled the hooks and turned and ran that 50 down. “He took off a lot of line, but then never really ran much after that. We were running pretty hard to get on top of that fish because it was late in the day and we only had about 20 minutes left to fish.”

Allen said he’s no fan of chumming, as it tends to attract too many time-wasting, rig-burning sharks.

However, he and his crew made good use of the bluefish and pogies they had caught in the Beaufort Inlet area. “We just keep fishing, we are relentless,” Allen said. “You have to check your baits often. You can’t just drag them. Sometimes, the bite gets slow

SKA Top Junior Anglers

Sponsored by NBOA Marine Insurance 1. T.J. Lyons MOM SAID NO 38.34 2. Kayla Howard HOOK UM UP 3. George & Nelson Ricks TRIGGERMACK

36.42

31.64

Mercury Junior Angler Scholarship Award: Al Morris III SEA DRAG’N

/

Morehead City, NC

and we’ll move things around and keep fresh baits out there. You have to imagine that there’s a fish in the spread at all times.

FOURTH PLACE 》BUG-N-A-RUG EXTERMINATORS Stan Hollingsworth’s Team Bug-N-A-Rug Exterminators also fished off Ocracoke, but they stayed within a half mile of the beach and looked for subtle rises on the bottom. Their biggest king—a 49.92— blasted a three-pound bluefish at 10:00 in 40 feet of water. “We hadn’t practiced there, but we just knew that this time of the year big kings come in there,” Hollingsworth said. “We have caught big fish there before but I still can’t say what brings them in there.

You just drive around and you don’t mark much bait. But there are a few little humps that rise up about two feet and they were producing fish. You just have to get on one of those humps and work it.”

Not surprisingly, Team Bug-N-A-Rug had plenty of company and Hollingsworth said that one of his biggest challenges was avoiding the lines of other boats, while maintaining his position. “There were 40 other boats ‘turning screws,’” he said of the common tactic. “You have to be aggressive with your driving, hold your course and hold your ground.”

Hollingsworth said that he found a pair of productive spots located about 200 yards apart.

He essentially alternated between the two bottom humps by keeping his lines out and trolling from one to the other after measured exposure on each.

With bluefish schooling on the beach and busting glass minnows, Hollingsworth felt confident with

/

the baits he and his team had caught the previous evening in Beaufort Inlet on double speck rigs.

Those big bluefish produced six kings that day, the first of which was the team’s largest. “We were super excited to say the least,” Hollingsworth said of his team’s big start to the day. “We took a good look, measured him and put all the ice we had on him.

And then just kept an eye on what the rest of the boats were doing.”

Hollingsworth said his team fished their baits with single stinger segments that stretched the length of their magnum baits. Their choice for wire— the stealthy and flexible 40-pound Terminator titanium. The fourth-place fish hit a blue in the long flat line. This bait was about 75 yards back—a good bit closer than Hollingsworth typically likes his shotgun line. He made this adjustment because of how close other boats were trolling. After the strike, he made another key move to improve angler Stuart Flynn’s chances of controlling a big fish in a crowd.

“The fish skied and we got to see that it was really nice fish,” Hollingsworth said. “We turned on it, he started peeling off line and we high-tailed it after him. I literally planed the boat to get to the fish to protect it from other boats. We had to call off a couple other boats and they moved for us. The key was getting on top of that fish and other boats lost fish by not doing this.”

FIFTH PLACE 》FIN-NAGLE At the helm of Team Fin-Nagle, Raymond Pugh chose to fish about eight miles off Cape Hatteras in 60 feet of water. That decision was based partially on proximity to his home in Nag’s Head, but he also

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS | 4th Annual North Carolina Troopers Assoc. Saltwater Challenge Contender / Yamaha

Brett Barnes

60.32

2. BLUE WATER CANDY / KNOT RIGHT

Onslow Bay / Yamaha

Jodie Gay, Timmy Parker, Evan Kerstein, Tara Snibbe III, Steve Marshburn, Kent Raynor

50.20

3. WALL HANGER

Yellowfin / Yamaha

Brian Allen, Stacy Allen, Grimes Medlin

50.00

4. BUG-N-A-RUG EXTERMINATORS

Sea Hunt / Yamaha

Stan Hollingsworth, Stuart Flynn

49.92

5. FIN-NAGLE

Cape Horn / Yamaha

Raymond Pugh

46.76

6. D’Ported

46.22

7. Sea Striker

45.58 Yellowfin / Mercury

Phil Croom Jr., Robbie Hall, Chad Meadows

9. Honey Bun

Angler 03.2015

Lbs.

1. HOT ROD

8. MONEY GROWS ON TREES/ REEL OUTDOORS

30

October 24–26, 2014

39.44 39.34

10. MATER HEAD

Yellowfin / Mercury

Mark Yokeley

38.44

Top Lady Angler

Stacy Allen

WALL HANGER

50.00

Top SEnior Angler

Timmy Parker

BLUE WATER CANDY/ KNOT RIGHT

50.20

Top Junior Angler

T.J. LYONS

MOM SAID NO

38.34

1

4th ANNUAL NC TROOPERS ASSOC. SALTWATER CHALLENGE

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Morehead City, NC

/

October 24–26, 2014

knew he could count on an annual buffet line that attracts big kings.

“That time of year there are a lot of croakers on the bottom,” Pugh said. “The kings are in there eating those croakers so I knew we could find a big fish in that area. We had a very active day with 20 fish up to the high-30s. We were kind of weeding them out. We’d get them to the side of the boat, look at them and decide if we wanted to keep them or release them.”

The team’s largest king that day was a 46.76-pounder that ate a live pogy in the prop wash around noon. With Tom Gilliam on the rod, the big king ripped off 200 yards of line in short order. The team had five other lines out so it was a bit of a fire drill getting the deck cleared and ready to chase the fish. Fortunately, they got on top of the speedster and Gilliam negotiated a tough battle culminating in the captain’s gaff.

“The fish wanted to stay on the bottom and it took us a while to get him up,” Pugh said. “Some days they come up pretty quickly and some days they want to fight us. *Thanks to Cape Horn Boats and Yamaha for a dependable ride, while he lauded Lowrance Electronics for enabling him to spot those bait clusters. Using his Lowrance StructureScan, Pugh was able to pinpoint the croakers on the down current side of a small rise on the bottom.

Also important, he said, was fishing the right side of a tide line. “We had pre-fished there the day before and found a tide line with blue water on one side and green on the other,” Pugh said. “Most boats were fishing the blue side, but we stayed on the green side and bigger fish and more fish. I think those croakers were maybe staying in the green water to hide from the kings.” n Left to right, top to bottom:

Biggest Fish in Division 1 2000-2014 2012 52.69 Sea Drag'n

2013 52.72 OBX Girl 2009 52.92 Logan's Run

2002 55.65 Tight Lines

2003 43.10 Just In Time

2010 51.26 Ocean Athlete

2001 42.25 Reel Gold 2005 38.50 Number One Contender

2008 43.90 Unreel Fishing Team

2011 60.30 Ocean Athlete

The Money Grows on Trees/Reel Outdoors team of Phil Croom Jr., Robbie Hall, and Chad Meadows took 8th place with a 39.44.

2004 41.08 Shock Wave

2007 44.09 Second Catch

2014 60.32 Hot Rod

2000 48.40 Tenacity

2006 45.50 Carolina Contender

Mom Said No weighed a 38.34.

Harvey Hoopes III, Kevin Hoopes, and T.J. Lyons fish a Yamaha powered Cobia. T.J. Lyons was Top Junior for the SKA and the event.

36.42, Wayne, Chris, and Kayla Howard teamed up on their Island Runner / Suzuki called Hook Um Up. Kayla was 2nd place Junior Angler.

Jeff Morris, Dak Millis, plus Rhett, George, and Nelson Ricks had a 31.64 on Triggermack.

George & Nelson Ricks were 3rd place SKA Juniors.

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1

4th ANNUAL NC TROOPERS ASSOC. SALTWATER CHALLENGE

/

Morehead City, NC

/

October 24–26, 2014

Left to right, top to bottom: Mercury Jr. Angler Scholarship Award winner, Al Morris III Second place SKA Jr. Angler, Kayla Howard Goin Deep—Mark Stephenson, Matt Pearce, Hunter Stephenson, and Joe Arant Triple Trouble—Phil Mitchell, Philip Mitchell Jr., Brandon Mitchell, and Seth King Second Chanze— John Lewis and Chad Barnes OBX Girl— Jim Dupree Jr., Jim Dupree III, Dan Dupree, and Betsy Dupree Ocean Athlete— Skip & Sandy Conklin Windy Conditions— Henry Tillett, Clint Richardson, Wendy Tillett, and Henry Tillett II

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R e gion a l K ingf ish

Today’s SKA fishermen have learned that mackerel have a picky appetite and are very selective on which baits they will eat depending on their region and the time of year

by Terry Lacoss A huge confidence builder before your fishing team sets out a deadly spread of kingfish baits is simply having on board exactly the same live or dead baits that kingfish are presently foraging on. A good example of this came during the 2014 Mercury Southern Kingfish Association National Championship.

“Whether I am king fishing in the Atlantic Ocean or in the Gulf of Mexico, our first challenge is to obtain enough live baits that kingfish are presently feeding on,” Clayton Kirby said. “During the recently held National Championship it was critical to our Vengeance fishing team to locate and jig up lively blue runners on the very same day of

the tournament. We already had a live bait plan that included navigating our Mercury powered Fountain straight to a predetermined oil rig where tournament size blue runners were plentiful. Upon our arrival it took little time out of our day of tournament fishing to jig up and fill our live wells with the exact live baits that nearby schools of king mackerel were presently feeding on. I just can’t stress enough how important it is to have fresh, lively baits stored on our boats’ live wells when tournament fishing. Oftentimes live baits that are kept overnight in pens just don’t have enough life to excite tournament size kingfish into eating.”

Team Vengeance went on to win the 2014 National Championship title and once again proved that hard work and sticking to proven kingfish patterns is the only way to win big on the SKA Tournament Trail.

During the 2014 National Championship, seasoned kingfish teams were also live bait trolling with mullet and doing well. Keep in mind that in late fall a major Deep jigging at offshore structures and live bottoms produces a variety of kingfish livies including cigar minnows, Spanish sardines and blue runners.

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mullet run takes place offshore where kingfish are selectively feeding on mullet. SKA teams were cast netting their own mullet and commercial mullet fishermen were selling live mullet as well.

Whether your SKA fishing team is tournament fishing in the Gulf of Mexico or in the Atlantic Ocean, if you are targeting kingfish where blue runners are the main forage foods for mackerel, your live wells should be teeming with freshly caught blue runners!

Top Left: A favorite deep water live bait for tournament size king mackerel is the speedy blue runner often jigged up at deep water live bottoms and structures.

Top Right: Menhaden, also referred to as pogies, are generic kingfish baits during the summer fishing season in both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.

Blue runners are typically jigged up at deep water reefs, live bottoms and structures including towers and oil rigs where water depths range from 60 to over a 100 feet of water.

Jigging live blue runners is made easy with a 6.5foot, 20-pound class spinning rod with a 6000 size spinning reel filled with 30-pound braided fishing line. A 6.2:1 retrieve aids fishermen in reeling in live blue runners from deep water as well. Finally a size #14 Sabiki feathered bait catcher rigged with four jigs and a 4-ounce pyramid weight will get your bait catcher jigs deep into a school of blue runners in a hurry. No need to waste time when a nearby school of king mackerel are waiting to be fed!

Captain Kenny Crawford hailing from Yulee, Florida has enjoyed several big wins on the SKA tournament trail by setting out the first blue runner jigged up early on during their tournament day on a flat line kingfish rig.

“When king fishing offshore of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia we will first mark a school of blue runners holding on a deep rock ledge and begin to deep water jig for them,” Kenny Crawford said. “The first blue runner that comes into the boat is barbed to a 20-pound kingfish rod and reel, then free lined off from the transom. In many cases we have caught a tournament winning kingfish while jigging up deep water blue runners for live baits.

After we have jigged enough lives for slow trolling, we will simply slow troll in the same area that we have caught out live blue runners. Obviously king

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Angler 03.2015

Left: Ribbonfish are a common go-to bait for kingfish tournaments.

had been schooling during the first of the incoming tide for the few days prior to the tournament.

mackerel will be holding close to the deep water live bottom as well, particularly if there is an excellent concentration of blue runners. Without a doubt live blue runners are by far our team’s favorite offshore live kingfish baits!” Crawford concluded.

Menhaden, also referred to as pogies, are excellent kingfish baits when found schooling along the beaches of the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Ocean as well. Personally, our Amelia Angler fishing team has enjoyed great success both slow trolling live menhaden and chumming from an anchored boat ground chum and menhaden oil. Our team actually won four of five Golden Isles Kingfish Tournaments that we competed in while using menhaden for bait.

During one win we had checked out of the popular Brunswick Channel fishing pier and run south to Cumberland Island. One cast from our ten-foot 5/8th inch mesh cast net simply loaded both of our Triton boat’s livewells. Back on plane we were soon running full throttle for the tip of the St. Mary’s south jetty rocks where tournament size kingfish

Once anchored up over a deep water bar that fell off into the shipping channel, I hurriedly barbed one of largest menhaden to a kingfish leader and freelined the nervous live bait far back into the flooding tide. Wilson Tennille and my son Terry David (T.D.) Lacoss had just begun to set out a powerful chum slick when a real giant of a kingfish literally exploded on the first bait out, a jumbo live pogy!

T.D. immediately related to the size of the strike and the scream of the reel thanks to the speedy run of the hooked mackerel and tossed the float rigged anchor line overboard. Both Mercury outboards were cranked to life and we were soon chasing down our first kingfish of the day. Five minutes after anchoring our Amelia Angler Triton kingfish boat we had gaffed the winning kingfish of the tournament weighing 45 pounds!

That same summer we checked out of the St. Johns Inlet and once again navigated back to Cumberland Island where one cast resulted in a livewell full of tournament size menhaden. We were competing in the well-known Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament.

Jeff and Nancy Dunbar, Team Fish Dancer, had told us the night before that a big concentration of kingfish were holding just offshore of the Brunswick Shipping Channel; we continued our navigation to the Dunbar’s mackerel hot spot.

Upon our arrival, diving birds and several schools of cigar minnows indicated a live bottom below, so I pointed the bow of our Mercury powered Triton toward the hot surface activity with a full spread of live menhaden baits trolled both on the surface and down deep. Our first kingfish weighed just shy of 40 pounds, followed by two more kings in the mid 30s, just missing top honors in the SKA sanctioned aggregate category.

The moral of this menhaden live bait story is: When menhaden are schooling along the beaches and nearshore live bottoms during the warm months of summer, king fishing with large live menhaden is definitely an SKA tournament winning tactic.

Possibly one of the more successful dead baits for catching king mackerel is the cutlass fish, also referred to as ribbonfish. These silvery, sword-like fish may be more generic to the Atlantic Ocean but are also deadly kingfish baits when slow trolled from downriggers and as flat lines in Gulf coastal waters.

When a major kingfish run is in full swing, kingfishing teams may use 15 to 25 ribbonfish per day. With this in mind, seasoned teams may purchase a hundred or more ribbonfish at one time to ensure their freezers are filled to the brim and their kingfish hooks don’t go empty. King mackerel fishermen typically purchase ribbonfish from their local bait shop to fill their personal freezer for their entire kingfish season.

Also, keep in mind that live cigar minnows, Spanish mackerel, goggle eyes, bluefish and virtually any bait fish that is generic to your targeted kingfish waters is an excellent live bait choice when targeting the amazing, fast-striking, king mackerel! n Noted king fisherman and author, Terry Lacoss, writes about fishing for outdoor publications and contributes a monthly article to Angler magazine.

Power Pole Downrigger JL Marine now offers a unique downrigger release system that is attached to the spike of the power pole.

JL Marine’s deepest unit will troll lures or baits in ten feet of water, a perfect water depth for near shore mackerel fishing and from a small boa. A remote control pad aids king mackerel fishermen in retrieving the power pole to the surface when a fish is hooked. Also unique, a trolling paddle can be attached to the power pole spike which slows your kingfish boat to an extremely deadly slow trolling pace!

For more information visit www.power-pole.com.

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1

DIVISION Morehead City, NC Sneads Ferry, NC Beaufort, NC Morehead City, NC James Island, SC Charleston, SC

31ST ANNUAL RALEIGH SALTWATER SPORT FISHING CLUB KMT ROTARY CLUB OF SNEADS FERRY KMT BONE SUCKIN SAUCE KING OF THE CAPE OPEN KMT NORTH CAROLINA TROOPERS ASSOC. SALTWATER CHALLENGE JAMES ISLAND YACHT CLUB FISHING FOR MIRACLES KING MACKEREL TOURNAMENT

August 14-15

September 10-12

October 16-18

July 24-25

August 13-15

Little River, SC Brunswick, GA Richmond Hill, GA Shellman Bluff, GA Darien, GA Darien, GA Jacksonville, FL St. Augustine, FL Fernandina, FL St. Petersburg, FL

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE TWO WAY SPORTFISHING CLUB'S KMT COASTAL EMPIRE KINGFISH CLASSIC 35TH ANNUAL SAPELO OPEN KMT GOLDEN ISLES KING MAC ATTACK CAPTAIN HAP'S BASH ON THE BLUFF JACKSONVILLE FISHING RODEO ANCIENT CITY GAME FISH CHALLENGE 33rd FERNANDINA BEACH KINGFISH TOURNAMENT & FISHING RODEO SPRING SUNCOAST KINGFISH CLASSIC GULF COAST OPEN FALL SUNCOAST KINGFISH CLASSIC

September 25-26

June 19-20

June 26-27

July 24-25

August 6-8

August 21-22

June 26-27

July 10-12

August 7-8

April 9-11

April 23-25

October 8-11

St. Petersburg, FL

Sarasota, FL

Charleston, SC

KINGS FOR VETS

September 10-12

July 24-25

LOCATION

TOURNAMENT

DATE

ENTRY FEE

$350 by 7/27 $400 after 7/27

$275 by 4/15/15 $300 after 4/15/15

$400 by 7/15 $450 after 7/15

$400

$325 by 6/12 $375 after 6/12

$400

$300 by 7/31 $350 fater 7/31

$ 350

6:30 at the Ramada Waterfront/Bearded GCO: $350, Single Clam. Reg.: 10am-6pm. Dinner Engine Class $150

Friday at 7pm at the foot of Center Street. Registration: 5-7pm

Friday, July 10 at 7 pm Camachee Cove, 3070 Harbor Drive

Thursday 7pm at Morningstar Marina.

Reg. 4-9. Food & Entertainment 6pm

Fri. 7pm at SSFC clubhouse. Reg. 5-7.

BBQ 6pm. Raffle & door prizes

Friday 4-7 at Fort McAllister Marina Food, Raffle, Giveaways

Fri., 7pm at Two Way Marina. Reg.: 5-7 Food & Entertainment; Raffle

Thursday at 7pm. Ripley Light Yacht Club Refreshments/dinner

Friday 7pm at Jaycee Park, Reg. 4-8:30, Meal at 6pm, Raffle

7pm at Town Creek Marina, BBQ @ 5:30, $250 by 8/31 Registration 4-9pm $300 after 8/31

Friday at Jaycee Park S 9th Street, Registration 4-9pm

CAPT. MTG.

$8,000 1st Place Prize (Based on 40 boats)

$10,000 and Pays 10 places all based on 100 boats

First place prize $10,000 All cash payout

$15,000 Open Class; $3,000 Small Boats. All based on 80 boats

$10,000 first place based on 60 boats

$10,000 based on 50 Boats, Pays 10 places (more if over 50 boats)

Guaranteed 1st Prize - Largest Fish $25,000

1st–$15,000, based on 100 boats. Pays 10 place + other prizes

PRIZES

Ryan Farner Phone: 813-695-2984 Email: ryan@sunstyledesign.com

Erin Henshaw Phone: 561-351-9393 Email: erin@fishska.com

Ryan Farner Phone: 813-695-2984 Email: ryan@sunstyledesign.com

Karl Mrozek Phone: 904-261-3332 Email: karlmrozek@att.net

Matt Morse Phone: 410-925-3671 Email: m.morse.fpe@att.net Web: www.acgfa.com

Deona Holmes Phone: Email: deona@fishska.com

Howard Poe Phone: 912-577-0552 Email: comamy2000@yahoo.com

Howard Poe Phone: 912-577-0552 Email: capt.howardpoe@gmail.com

Mamie Mason Phone: 912-213-4382 Email: mamie@darientel.net

Jimmy Roberts Phone: 912-313-0962 Email: jtrobertsjr@coastalnow.net

Rick Smith Phone: 912-269-7291 Email: wildturkeyrick@yahoo.com

John Gore Phone: 843-602-3376 Email: rumblekmt@gmail.com

Todd Knight Phone: 843-412-9993 Email: toddknight53@yahoo.com

John Gourdin Phone: 843-214-1408 Email: fishing4miracles@ccasouthcarolina.com

Pete Ferrara Phone: 404-617-6521 Email: peteferrara@mindspring.com

Al Morris Phone: 252-269-1346 Email: teammorris2000@gmail.com

David Lucas Phone: 252-290-0925 Email: mideastappraisal@earthlink.net

Dick Macarthney Phone: 910-548-4879 Email: maready@joemc.com

Jason Fant Phone: 919-802-2799 Email: jfant@rswsc.org

CONTACT

Please note that tournament information is published from sanctioning agreements and information packets as it is received from individual tournament directors.

Dates are subject to change and tournaments may be added or deleted throughout the year.

For the latest information go to www.FishSKA.com.

2015 SCHEDULE

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9

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DIVISION

Pensacola Beach, FL

PENSACOLA BUD LIGHT FISHING RODEO

June 26-29

Fort Pierce, FL Ocean Isle Beach, NC Carolina Beach, NC

FT. PIERCE SUMMER SLAM YELLOWFIN/YAMAHA JOLLY MON KING CLASSIC EAST COAST GOT-EM-ON CLASSIC

August 21-22

June 18-21

July 10-12

Little River, SC Ocean Isle Beach, NC Key West, FL

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE YELLOWFIN/YAMAHA FALL BRAWL KING CLASSIC STOCK ISLAND MARINA VILLAGE KING MACKERAL TOURNAMENT

October 9-11

January 29-31

West Palm Beach, FL Pompano Beach, FL

DOWNTOWN SHOWDOWN KDW SALTWATER SLAM SAILFISH MARINA BIG DOG & FAT CAT KDW

May 22-23

June 4-7

July 10-11 Palm Beach Shores, FL

Pompano Beach, FL

2015 POMPANO BEACH SALTWATER SHOOTOUT

May 7-10

September 25-26

Hampstead, NC

S.H.A.R.E. KING MACKEREL TOURNAMENT

July 17-19

Port Canaveral, FL

Ft. Pierce, FL

Golden Meadow, LA

MAC MILLIKEN'S ATTACK

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

KAJUN SPORTMAN KING TOUR

June 19-20

April 17-18

September 11-13

ALABAMA DEEP SEA FISHING RODEO Theodore, AL

Perdido Key, FL

FLORA-BAMA FISHING RODEO

June 11-14

July 17-19

LOCATION

TOURNAMENT

DATE

Friday 5-8pm at Sailfish Marina 98 Lake Drive

West Palm Beach City Docks Friday 6pm-9pm; Dinner, Live Music & Raffles

Thursday, May 7, 6-10pm at the IGFA

Jan. 29th 7:00 pm. Stock Island Marina Village

Friday 6:30pm at the Carolina Beach Municipal Docks. Registration Friday noon -11pm

Friday 5:30-7:30pm at Bottoms Up Raw Bar & Grill, 658 North 2nd St

At the tiki hut with drinks and food

Friday 7pm at Flounders Chowder House; Reg., 5-8pm

June 11 from 7-8pm at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club, Registation 6-9

CAPT. MTG.

Pays 100% entries 3 places 50/30/20

$10,000.00 winner take all

PRIZES

$150 | $200 then $250 the last week

$250 by 3/1 $350 5/1

$397.50 by 4/24 $503.50 after 4/24

$375 by 1/12 $425 after 1/12

$250 by 7/3 $300 if received after 7/3

$5,000 Cash & $5,000 Raymarine Products, Heaviest KDW

$10,000 1st place guaranteed; Small Boat $2000 1st place guaranteed

1st - $7,500

150hp Evinrude E-Tec or $10,000 cash guaranteed

$20,000 First Place, paying 20 places, based on 170 boats. Small Boat Class to pay 3 places ($2,000, $1,000 and $500)

$250 Kingfish Entry Kingfish: 1st $5,000; 2nd $1,500; 3rd $1,000. 1 place per 10 entries. Bbased on 35 paid entries.

$350

$500

ENTRY FEE

Bill Wummer Phone: 561-315-3711 Email: bwummer@bellsouth.net

Jamie Bunn Phone: 954-650-5982 Email: jbunn@bluewatermovements.com

John Jackson Phone: 561-248-1439 Email: john@teamtitos.com

Jamie Bunn Phone: 954-650-5982 Email: jbunn@bluewatermovements.com

Lee Murray Phone: 305-296-0364 Email: lee@murraymarine.com

Brant McMullan Phone: 910-367-2945 Email: captbrant@oifc.com

John Gore Phone: 843-602-3376 Email: rumblekmt@gmail.com

Briana Kelly Phone: 910-431-6418 Email: briana@sharenc.org

Donna Gurganus Phone: 910-470-1374 Email: donnagurganus@yahoo.com

Brant McMullan Phone: 910-367-2945 Email: captbrant@oifc.com

Joy Yancy Phone: 772-201-6099 Email: summerlin7cs@aol.com

Jason Solano Phone: 321-783-9100 Email: flyinhigh360@aol.com

Chris Blackwell Phone: 772-201-6622 Email: info@thekingofthesouth.com

Anthony Toups Phone: 985-696-9900 Email: kajunsport@viscom.net

Kevin Maurin Phone: 251-753-0822 Email: krmaurin@aol.com

Chris Phillips Phone: 850-255-7288 Email: chris@hotspotscharters.com

Angelo DePaola Phone: 850-287-3440 Email: angelo@florabama.com

CONTACT

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APRIL 23rd – 25th

FISH: Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, 2015 MERCURY PROFESSIONAL KINGFISH TOUR* Two fish aggregate, largest combined weight wins $20,000 first place, $8,750 second place, $3,850 third place, $2,400 fourth place Check out: 6:30am at New Pass Grill No Boundaries, Weigh in 4:00 – 6:00pm *Only current Pro Tour Teams are eligible.

Tournaments will be held at the Ramada Waterfront Hotel, Sarasota, FL

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

FISH: Saturday, April 25, 2015 KINGFISH JACKPOT $8,000 1st Place Prize (Based on 40 boats) Entry Fee: $350 Check out: 6:30am New Pass Grill Weigh in 4:00 – 6:00pm.

Bearded Clam Single Engine Class (see SKA rules regarding Single Engine Class) $3,000 1st Place Prize (Based on 40 boats) Entry Fee: $150 Weigh in 3:00 - 5:00pm

BIG PARTY. BIG PAYOUTS. MERCURY PROFESSIONAL TOUR • KINGFISH JACKPOT BEARDED CLAM KINGFISH SINGLE ENGINE CLASS

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GulfCoastOpen.com Angler 03.2015

member2member Allstate Insurance Company 4746 Main Street/PO Box 1276 Shallotte, NC 28459 Phone: 910.754.6596 / 800.789.4914 Fax: 910.754.7305 Email: rustyruss@allstate.com 24-Hour Customer Service

MR TIGGER TACKLE

Good Luck Fishermen!

Mr. Goodhands Fishing Team Toby Russ Licensed Sales Associate R&R Insurance Services, Inc.

Numerous Tournament Wins

We tie them to your specs, using only the finest products.

Rigs are tested for quality and strength. mrtiggertackle.yolasite.com 429 Shell Rd., Atlantic, NC 28511 Ph : 252/290-0925 Fax : 252/225-1002

Live & Dead Bait Rigs, Jigs, Flounder Rigs

Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30 Auto, Home, Business and Life

Allstate Insurance Company 4746 Main Street/PO Box 1276 Shallotte, NC 28459 Phone: 910.754.6596 / 800.789.4914 Fax: 910.754.7305 Email: williamruss@allstate.com 24-Hour Customer Service

Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30 Auto, Home, Business, Life

Snatch-Um Fishing Team

DENNIS SERGENT, Commercial Sales Professional

Good Luck Fishermen!

(904) 387-4041 Direct (904) 425-3404 FAX (904) 226-6633 Cell

1550 Cassat Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32210 dsergent@nimnicht.com

MARK

of

EXCELLENCE

AWARD WINNER

Captain Terry & T.D. Lacoss One of USA’s best father/son fishing teams “IGFA”

Group and family fishing charters

WORSHAM CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.

Salt Life • Columbia Wear • Guy Harvey Mojo • Native Outfitters

COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL / CUSTOM HOMES

“Amelia Angler Outfitters”

PRESIDENT

(904) 261-2870 www.ameliaangler.com 111 Centre St., Fernandina Bch FL 32034

For All Your Needs in Commercial Cabinets Call Us At: (904) 393-9055

RONALD E. WORSHAM 2329 URBAN ROAD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32210 904-545-2357 • WORSHAM CONSTRUCTION@GMAIL.COM

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Check out the products and services offered by fellow SKA members! To Advertise contact Erin@fishska.com

Rusty Russ Exclusive Agent R&R Insurance Services, Inc.

910/579-0752

Check out the products and services offered by fellow SKA members! To Advertise contact Erin@fishska.com

member2member The Right Light.

Deep Glow offers world-class underwater lighting for docks & waterfront properties.

• Attracts a wide variety of marine life • Great for dockside ambiance • Available in multiple colors • Installs in minutes without getting wet • 1-year warranty

For FREE Shipping Use Coupon Code:

SKA1Q

DEEPGLOW Lighting the World’s Waters

www.deepglow.com | (888) 871-3334

Call Mike Bjurmark, SKA Member since 2001

BALLOON the original balloon fishing clip

Alden Thornton National Saltwater Sales Manager Fishing Team Manager

(252) 202-1818 AldenThornton18@gmail.com www.nor-techboats.com

Performance aluminum boat trailers engineered to protect your investment on the road and off—see the difference!

Call Andy Dormois at 407-493-3404 or e-mail us at adormois@aol.com

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Angler 03.2015

www.balloonfisherking.com info@balloonfisherking.com

• Attaches and removes a balloon from fishing line in seconds!

• Provides bait depth control • Ideal for kingfish!

• Biodegradable, 100% natural latex balloons • Made in the U.S.A. 678.592.4905

Your Complete Boating & Fishing Headquarters

561-582-9012

www.tuppens.com

member2member Designed for KING • WAHOO • MAHI • TUNA • SAIL • MARLIN

AMERICA’S ORIGINAL CRAFT VODKA

(Simulates A Wounded Bleeding Bait)

PRECISION CRAFTED

TKO Lures feature inlaid chrome RED INFUSION front, keeled rattler head, brass nose weight. All lures produce high and low frequency sounds, have movable eyes, and highest quality standards.

LURES START @ $19.95 $100 ORDER – ALL c⁄c

Free Shipping

New

KONA SERIES

®

Designed from a Legend Kona Tournament Classic GRAND SLAM SERIES

www.TKOlures.com • 281-852-2330 or e-mail gccafreeport@aol.com for a brochure!

Since 1985

ment Grade Anti-Fatigue Bo Tourna BMC Mats • Available in 5 Sizes! at Mats UV Protected, High-Density Mats

www.AntiFatigueBoatMats.com A BMC Tackle Company

(954) 263-6177 SKA MEMBER DISCOUNTS

Good Luck and Safe Fishing from SYN-FAB INC. and the 2013 Team of the Year!

marina ◆ cabins ◆ slips bar & grill ◆ ice ◆ live bait fuel ◆ marine supplies 24 hr. security ◆ tackle

mustard seed G

VeniceMarina.com 504/534-9357 fax 504/534-9323 venicemarina@bellsouth.net

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LOG O D E SIG N WE B SITE D E SIG N ADVERTISING DESIGN FULL COLOR PRINTING

Business Cards | Rack Cards Booklets | Letterheads | Envelopes Magnets | Posters | Sell Sheets | More!

New! Metallic Inks and Round Corners

Go to www.msg123.com for SKA members-only pricing!

SKA Members Only: To see your ad on this page call Erin Henshaw 1-800-852-6262

Call Mike Burch.

MikeBurchFord.com

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Check out the products and services offered by fellow SKA members! To Advertise contact Erin@fishska.com

NEW FOR 2015

— RED INFUSION —

2015 Southern Kingfish Association Corporate Partners

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2015 Mercury Professional KingďŹ sh Tour | Key West

Under Armour Fishing Team / 102.25 Aggregate

Murray Marine/Stock Island Marina Village KMT

Lost Boys 67.30

Heaviest Small Boat Class

Mercury's Latest Winners!

800-MERCURY mercurymarine.com

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