Rumble in the Jungle KMT 2004
The Little River Inlet Fishing Club put on its second annual Rumble in the Jungle King Mackerel Tournament during the October 9th weekend. There were 75 boats in this year’s event, and the one-day of fishing yielded a total of 15 kings weighed in. Conditions were fairly rough, with a 15 to 20 mph east/northeast wind, and boats fished from Southport, NC, to the waters off Georgetown, SC.
Tournament Director Patrick Bellamy noted that this was another great year for the Rumble in the Jungle. The tournament offers one of the cheapest KMT buy-ins ($200), and they have guaranteed the prize money both years ($10,000 for first).
The Little River Inlet Fishing Club uses the tournament as their club fundraiser, but they emphasize that this tournament is focused on fishermen in the area. As an example, since the prize money was guaranteed and there were only 15 kings weighed in, the club is mailing $40 to every participant who didn’t weigh-in a fish. They also refunded the $200 entry fee to an angler who found his boat sitting on the marina bottom Saturday morning.
Capt. Allen Kinney, fishing on the “Gambler,” a 25′ Hydra Sport, took first place with a 33.78 lb. king. Kinney and crewmember Bruce Jones, both from Oak Island, were awarded a total of $14,655 for their finish. They took the overall first place, the TWT, and the Wellcraft/Yamaha bonus.
The “Gambler” team used a pogy on a kite rig while anchored in the Cape Fear River channel. They caught a total of about eight kings, with four weighing over 20 lbs. They also released a red drum estimated at 30 lbs. Kinney said of his win, “We just had a good day of king mackerel fishing.”
Second place and $3000 went to Capt. George Everhart, from Salisbury, NC, for the 33.3 lb. king pulled into his boat “Heat Seeker.” Third place went to Capt. Adam Sellers and the crew of “Squeeze Play.” The third place crew, Mike and Kyle Sellers and West Knox, all from Bolivia, NC, caught their 20.92 lb. king on a single pogy at Yaupon Reef. “Squeeze Play” caught a second king that was almost the same size at the same location.
Capt. Scott Powers, from Supply, NC, took fourth place, fishing on the “Wet N Sassy,” with a 20.44 lb. king. His crew, Team Fisher’s Marine, consisted of Leon Messer, Wesley Register, and Jon Tennant. They caught the king at Yaupon Reef with a pogy on a balloon rig.
Capt. Chuck Bellamy, fishing on the “Four C’s” finished in fifth place with an 18 lb. king caught at the 65 Foot Hole on live bait. He was fishing with Chris and Charlie Bellamy.
Capt. Duncan McInnis, from North Myrtle Beach, fishing on the “Catch 22,” took first in the 23 foot and under class with a 31.38 lb. king. The Junior Angler honors went to son Allan McInnis, age 11. Duncan McInnis was also the highest finishing Little River Inlet Fishing Club member.
The sixth through tenth place finishers are as follows: George Davis on “My Hooker” with a 16.44 lb. king for 6th; Patrick Bellamy on “Mining My Bidness” with a 15.62 lb. king for 7th; Rodney Powell on “Hard Rock II” with a 14.94 lb. king for 8th; Mickey Thompson on a new and unnamed boat with a 14.06 lb. king for 9th; and Donald Sweatt on “Play Time” with a 12.16 lb. king for 10th.
The Lady Angler honors went to Carol Powell fishing on the “Hard Rock II,” the overall 8th place finishers. Their king was caught on a pogy at the Myrtle Beach rocks.
Tournament Director Patrick Bellamy and the Little River Inlet Fishing Club thanked all their sponsors, with special thanks to Key West Boats, Wellcraft Boats, Outback Steakhouse, and the Bonefish Grill for their support with another suc
