Topsail KMT 2005
This year’s Topsail Offshore Fishing Club’s King Mackerel Tournament went a lot smoother than last year’s event. Last year, anglers battled 30 mph winds, a day of clouds and heavy rain, and at the end of the day there weren’t enough fish weighed in to fill the leader board.
Jump to 2005 and participants took on a sweltering day, but seas were 1-2 feet with a 5-10 mph wind coming out of the S/SW. And in a field of 178 boats, it took a 20 lb. king to make it into the top 30 and a 40 lb. king to win.
The top place king was almost 10 pounds heavier than second place. “Re-Pete,” a 25′ Parker powered by twin 250 Yamahas out of Greenville, NC, found a 42.32 lb. king in Raleigh Bay at about 3:00 in the afternoon. The crew consisted of Pete West, Vince Bowers, Everette Edwards, and Chris West.
According to West, everyone had a role. He was the captain, Chris was the angler, Everette suggested where to go to find the winning king, and Vince brought the team good luck.
The king hit a pogey 35′ down in about 70′ of water.
“We really appreciate our Parker boat and Morehead Marine,” said West. “Everette and I have been fishing together for 30 years,” he added.
The second place king weighed 32.40 lbs., and it was brought in by “Mater Head,” a 34′ Yellowfin. Mark Yokeley, Jerry Gibson, and Lee Ball, out of Raleigh, NC, caught the king on the east side using a menhaden on top. The king hit around 8:30.
“Bud Action II,” a 26′ Century out of Jacksonville, took third. Their king weighed in at 31.96 lbs. Drew Warlick, Bill Warlick, Darrell Erny, and Randy Goller caught the king at Yaupon Reef. There were about 20 other boats on and near the reef at 8:30 when their king hit a pogy on the short, flat line.
William Gardner and Ken Hudson came in fourth place with a 29.26 lb. king. They were fishing on the “Bad to the Bone,” a 23′ Seahawk out of Newport. Their king hit “in the middle of nowhere.” Gardner explained that the king hit as they were trolling from spot to spot in the Southeast Bottom area. They were almost out of bait and were getting ready to jig up more when they hooked the king.
Rounding out the top five was “GW’s GW II,” a 24′ Grady White out of Wrightsville Beach. Gary Widenhouse, Ashley Widenhouse, and Jeff Morris caught the king in the Southport river channel at 12:00. The 28.60 lb. king bit on a silver/blue/pink skirted pogy on the long line.
Greg Cundiff’s “King of Kings,” a Honda powered 23′ Proline out of Sophia, took top honors in the 23 and Under Division with a 27.72 lb. king.
David Jackson (age 12) was the Junior Angler winner with a 28.44 lb. king. He was fishing with his Dad (Mike) and David Joyner. The king came from the Southport river channel.
Jordan Carver was the top Lady Angler with a 24.68 lb. king. She was fishing on the “Satisfied,” a 31′ Cape Horn, with Allen and Loren Rippy.
Fred Piper, one of this year’s Tournament Directors, thanked East Coast Sports, Port City Staircase, and all the members of the TOFC, but he especially wanted to thank all the fishermen who participated.
The Topsail Offshore Fishing Club’s KMT is the club’s only fundraising event of the year.
For a complete list of the leader board, you can visit www.tofc.com.
