Got-Em-On Classic KMT 2006
The 2006 Got-Em-On Classic King Mackerel Tournament put a monster 50+ lb. king mackerel on top of the leader board on Sunday, but the big king probably wouldn’t have been caught if the tournament hadn’t changed its format a few days before the event.
Due to poor weather forecasts for Saturday, the format of the Got-Em-On King Classic was changed this year. Instead of one day of fishing (July 8), the decision was made to go with a captain’s choice format. Boats this year could choose to fish either Saturday, July 8, or Sunday, July 9.
Although the decision was made on the Wednesday preceding the tournament, coordinator Ty Cobb estimates that around 70 more boats entered the event when they heard of the change.
Of the 189 boats registered for the event, only 39 fished on Saturday due to windy, rough conditions.
And Saturday proved not to be worth the trouble. Only two of the top 20 fish came on Saturday. The conditions were better on Sunday, but it was still described as choppy.
If you ask Joseph Wells about Sunday’s conditions, he’ll probably tell you they were just right.
First place in the event went to Joseph S. Wells’ “Remedy” team out of Wilmington, NC. They landed a huge 52.85 lb. king on Sunday. Capt. Steve Wells and anglers Mark Chesson and Hal Wells coaxed the giant fish into eating a pogy with a blue Cape Lookout skirt. The bite came around 7:30 am near the 30/30.
After a 20 minute fight, the king was gaffed and brought aboard “Remedy,” a 25′ Parker powered by two 225 Yamahas. The big fish was worth over $28,000 in total prize money.
The Wrightsville Beach, NC, team “Logan’s Run” captured second place with a 40.15 lb. fish. Their big king hit a naked bluefish suspended beneath a kite around 8:45 am on Sunday. They were 15 miles from Carolina Beach Inlet.
After the strike, the line became stuck in the release clip, and the fish nearly spooled the reel before the line was freed. The fish was brought aboard the 34′ Yellowfin powered by three 250 Yamaha four-strokes after a 20 minute fight.
Capt. D. Logan, David Logan, and Jeff Williamson took home over $12,000. They wish to thank Builder MT for their sponsorship.
A 34.90 lb. king secured third place for George Everhart’s “Heat Seaker” team from Salisbury, NC. Their fish ate a naked pogy on the downrigger around 8:30 am on Sunday. They were offshore of the Tower in the 360’s.
Capt. David Everhart and anglers Andy and Ben Everhart had the fish aboard the 31′ Yamaha-powered Contender after a quick 10 minute fight. They won almost $8,000 for third place.
Hunter Woodell and the “Contend This,” of Sanford, NC, finished fourth. They brought a 33.10 lb. fish to the scales. The king, which was worth $1724, bit a pogy with a Turbo Rattler on top near the Atlantic Ledge. The bite came around 8:15 am on Sunday, and the fish was boated after a short fight. Angler Lyle Phillips was also aboard. “Contend This” is a 31′ Contender powered by two 300 Yamaha HPDI’s.
The “Prime Time,” a 32′ Donzi, caught the 31.50 lb. fifth-place fish. Capt. Jim, Jamie, Jason, and Michael Milam and Mark Bullard were all aboard when the fish struck around 9:00 am Sunday off Topsail Island. Their king, worth $1293, bit a naked pogy on top, and was boated following a 10 minute fight with one very long run. The team thanks Coastal Carolina Marine for their sponsorship.
Sixth place went to Shannon Hollar, of Advance, NC, on the “Reel Culture,” for a 30.85 lb. king. Brett Barnes and the Wilmington-based “Hot Rod” secured seventh with a 30.60 lb. mackerel. The “Man-O-War,” out of Oak Island, NC, caught the eighth place fish at 28.60 lbs. The Big Bad Wolf, of Wilmington, came in ninth with a 28.50 lb. king. And the Oak Island team “Gambler” found tenth place with a 28.05 lb. fish.
In the Class of 23′ and Under, “Wild Thing,” out of Wilmington, reeled in first and $3500 with a 32.55 lb. king. Their money-winner ate a red/black skirted pogy on the downrigger at 9:00 am on Sunday off Georgetown.
The fish initially made a 250-300 yard run, but angler Suzanne Gooden brought the fish to the boat in 20 minutes. Also aboard the boat were Capt. Dane Wagget, Michael Clark, and Michael Griffin. They thank Wild Wing Cafe for its sponsorship.
Andy Everhart and the “Southern Sportfishing” team captured second in the Class of 23′ with a 28.10 lb. king worth $862.
The top Lady Angler was Mary Pendergrass aboard the “Mr. Goodhands.” Her 25.20 lb. fish earned the team a check for $2500.
The top Junior Angler in this event was Joshua Henderson aboard the “Liquid Fire,” a 25′ Contender powered by 200 Yamaha Saltwater Series motors. His fish weighed 25.80 lbs. and fell for a naked bluefish on the long line around 8:00 am.
Joshua was fishing with co-captains Mark Henderson and Chris Waters and fellow anglers Crockett and Charles Henderson at the 200/200. The “Liquid Fire” team would like to thank Carolina BG, Andy’s of Swansboro, Terminator Titanium Wire, Spro/Gamakatsu, Xtools, Fairway Restaurant, and Dr. James Wells, D.D.S. for their sponsorship.
Tournament organizer Ty Cobb wished to emphasize that proceeds from this event went to benefit the Carolina and Kure Beach Fire Departments, and the Got-Em-On Live Bait Club.
He went on to thank all of the sponsors, especially the Golden Anchor sponsors, including: Randy Gibson Allstate Insurance, Sea Coast Coldwell Banker Realty, Clark General Contractors, Taylor’s Heating and Air, and Secof Construction Company.
