Rebel King Pier Tournament 2005
The Rebel King Mackerel Pier Fishing Tournament was unable to produce a king this year, but the tournament did produce 70+ anglers that enjoyed a weekend of pier fishing. The tournament, held on Ocean Crest Pier and Long Beach Pier from May 5-8, was won on Sunday, the last of three days of fishing, by an 11 oz. bluefish.
Dan Jones, of Laurenburg, NC, landed the 11 oz. blue that won the tournament. He was fishing on Ocean Crest Pier and landed the fish at 9:20 am on Sunday. The 11 oz. blue won $1277.50 in prize money, $200 in TWT, for a grand total of $1477.50.
Robert Grainger, fishing on Long Beach Pier, took second place with a 10 oz. bluefish. The blue had struck at a live pinfish and got side-hooked at 1:10 pm on Saturday. Grainger won $766.50 for the 10 oz. blue.
Third place went to Demarius Hayes, from Asheboro, NC. Hayes caught a 7 oz. blue on Sunday while fishing from Ocean Crest Pier. She hooked the blue 23 minutes before the end of the tournament. Third place paid out $511.
The tournament paid out 100% of the entry fee money, and its participants share a love of pier fishing. There were over 30 anglers that battled the inclement weather on Friday, with rain throughout the day and gusts up to 40 mph. And many anglers continued to fish into the evenings even after the tournament’s 6:00 pm deadline had passed.
The tournament attracted anglers from five states: NC, SC, VA, WV, and PA. Participants ranged from 12 to 80 years of age, with junior anglers and several lady anglers as well.
