Got-Em-On Classic
Caroline, Brant, and Amy McMullan with the 39.75 lb. fish that earned them and Brayden and Barrett McMullan the win in the 2013 Got Em On King Mackerel Classic. Their big fish fell for a ribbonfish at some grouper bottom in 100′ of water west of Frying Pan Shoals.
Heading away from the pack despite rough conditions paid off for Capt. Brant McMullan and family—the “OIFC” fishing team—who scaled a 39.75 lb. king mackerel to earn first place in the Got Em On King Mackerel Classic, held July 12-13 out of the Carolina Beach Municipal Docks.
Brant and 8 year-old daughter Caroline, 3 year-old son Brayden, wife Amy, and brother Barrett didn’t pre-fish for the event, but they had a game plan going in.
“We don’t believe in pre-fishing,” McMullan explained, “because you could catch the fish you’re looking for in the tournament. We knew some big fish had been in 80-85’ of water, which wasn’t super-secret.”
The anglers headed offshore in 4-5’ seas bucked by a 20 knot north wind and made it to their first spot, but didn’t like the conditions.
“The water quality had changed from the rain and wind,” McMullan continued. “There were four other boats there that are all good fishermen, so we decided to move. We didn’t want to head inshore, so we pushed out 20 more miles.”
Setting out their spread at some bottom fishing numbers in 100’ of water, the anglers quickly caught a dolphin, confirming there was some life in the area.
As they reset the spread around 11:00 that morning, Amy was sending back a ribbonfish in the boat’s wake when they got another strike.
“The ribbonfish are her mission,” Brant said. “She was letting it out, and I heard a little scream. Then the fish hit again and we had it on.”
Amy settled into the angling role after the fish was hooked, but without seeing the strike, the anglers weren’t positive they had a king mackerel, as the fish didn’t quite take the screaming run that big kings are known for.
“It only took three or four 50 yard runs,” McMullan reported. “I was giving it a 50/50 chance of being a king for the first 15-20 minutes.”
The crew finally got a look at the fish and confirmed it was a king, but they still didn’t realize it was a potential winner.
“Barrett had the gaff, got a good look, and was nervous,” McMullan continued. “I knew it would be a weigh fish, but didn’t think it would be a 40 pounder.”
After a few wide spirals under the boat, Barrett sank the gaff in the big mackerel and swung the fish over the Yellowfin’s gunnel.
Though many crews would immediately pack up and head for the scales with a 40 lb. fish in the boat, the “OIFC” crew reset their spread and kept at it, looking for an even bigger king.
They trolled for another hour, but conditions worsened the entire time.
“It picked up and picked up,” McMullan explained. “Eventually it was 8’+ and they were cresting and breaking. It became unfishable.”
Packing up, the anglers began a long ride in, finally making the scales where they took the lead and held it through Sunday’s fishing.
Nipping at the “OIFC” crew’s heels were Wilmington’s Brent Gainey and the “Miller Time,” who scaled a 38.90 lb. king mackerel to take home second place. Topping the small boat class with the third heaviest fish weighed, Corey Durako and the “Blew By U” hauled in a 34.10 lb. mackerel. Randall Edens and “East Coast Sports” scaled a 27.15 lb. king to finish third overall, and a 24.40 lb. king earned “Aqua Loco” fourth. “Reel Buzz” rounded out the top five with a 22.00 lb. fish.
More information and a full leaderboard for the Got Em On King Mackerel Classic is available at www.gotemonliveclassic.com.
