Raleigh Saltwater Sportfishing Club KMT 2006
The big winner in this year’s Raleigh KMT, held August 4-6 out of Sea Water Marina in Atlantic Beach, was the crew of “Miss Geri” out of Virginia Beach, VA. They weighed in a 41.8 pound king to win by almost 5 pounds, but what makes their win even more decisive is that they had a second 40+ pound king on the boat that also could have won the tournament.
Capt. Doug Wilkins took his crew—Jay, Billy, Randal and Charlie Wilkins, Rick Binder, and Jay Baart—to the 4 Mile Rock off of Drum Inlet. By 8:45, they were hooked up with the first of their 40+ pound kings.
Just before 8:45, they put a 25 pound king in the boat. As they were putting back out the first of their baits, the tournament winner hit a pogy only three feet behind the motors.
The king burned about 250 yards on the surface, and then started heading back to the boat. Then after a 15 minute fight they had a gaff in the king.
The “Miss Geri” is a 32’ Regulator with twin 300 Yamahas.
Capt. Doug Wilkins said, “I’d like to thank my cousin John of Team May-Craft who helped us with bait, led us through Cape Lookout shoals, and suggested where we should fish. I’d also like to thank Bryan Davis of 70 West Marina who sold me a great boat package.”
The Atlantic Beach-based team of Capt. Cliff Dautrich, Tim Harper, and Mitch Barnett took second place with a 36.90 lb. king. They were fishing on the “Stars-N-Strikes,” a 28’ Master Marine made by True World Marine in Beaufort.
They caught their big king at 9:30 am at the old sea buoy. The king hit a naked pogy on top.
On the first run the king took about 300 yards of line. After the first big run, the king had a couple of 100 yard pulls.
Tim Harper was the angler, and Mitch Barnett was the gaff man.
The team thanked Carolina Bait and Tackle for all their help with tackle, hooks, and wire.
Capt. Mark Yokeley, out of Raleigh and fishing on the “Mater Head,” landed in third place with a 34.35 pound king. He was fishing with Kim Yokeley and John Preast.
They caught their king on the east side of the shoals with a naked pogy on the top in about 50’ of water. The strike came at 1:00, and the fight lasted for 30 minutes.
The king also brought Kim Yokeley the tournament’s Lady Angler award.
The “Mater Head” is a 34’ Yellowfin with triple 275 Mercuries.
Fourth place went to Team Carroll Construction out of Raleigh and fishing on the “Digit.” They landed a 33.95 pound king.
Daniel and Bryant Carroll, fishing on the “Digit,” were the top Junior Anglers of the tournament.
The “Digit” is a 36’ Mercury-powered Contender.
“Rock Steady” finished out the top five with a 32.60 pound king. Capt. Frankie Holloman Jr., Todd Casey, Kevin Lancaster, Nicholas Hill, and Kristie Holloman caught their king at 2:30 on the east side of the shoals in about 60’ of water.
Kevin Lancaster was the angler, and Todd Casey worked the gaff.
“Rock Steady” is a 23’ Sea Fox with a 200 Mercury.
There were two prizes specific for club members. The winner of the RSWSC prize was “Second Chanze” with a 27.80 lb. king. Capt John Lewis and Chad Barnes caught their king at the 4 Mile Rock out of Drum Inlet. It hit a naked shad on top at around 10:00.
“Second Chanze” is a 31’ Contender with twin 250 Yamahas.
The winner of the CCSA club prize was “Open Wide” with an 18.15 pound king.
Sailfish Boats and Coral Bay Marina sponsored a prize for the heaviest king weighed in by a team fishing on a Sailfish boat. That award went to Davey Cavanaugh, from Wallace, on the “Going Deep” with a 21.9 pound king. Cavanaugh fishes on a 23’ Sailfish with twin 150 Yamahas.
May-Craft sponsored a prize for the heaviest king caught on a May-Craft boat. “Team May-Craft” took this award with a 20.7 pound king. Onboard the 27’ May-Craft with twin 225 Mercury outboards were John, Jackson, Jonathon, and Ken Wilkins.
They caught their king at the 4 Mile Rock out of Drum Inlet on a naked pogy.
The Raleigh Saltwater Sportfishing Club King Mackerel Tournament is made possible by numerous sponsors, including this year’s Gold Sponsors: Bobby Murray Chevrolet, Carolina Outdoor Sportsman, Town Creek Marina, and West Marine.
The RSWSC uses proceeds from the tournament in a number of ways. They donate $5000 to the Take A Kid Fishing Foundation. Proceeds from the sale of fish go to the Eckerd’s Foundation.
They also award three $1000 scholarships to graduate students at NC State in the marine Science Department. And funds from the raffle are donated to the Boys and Girls Club.
For more information about the Raleigh club and tournament, you can visit www.rswsc.org.
