Sneads Ferry KMT
Team “Precision Marine” took first place in the 2014 Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament with this 45.80 lb. fish. The anglers hooked the smoker mackerel on a naked menahden while they were trolling east of Lookout Shoals at the 1700 Rock.
The 45.80 lb. king mackerel that the “Precision Marine” crew scaled in the Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament was the only fish they landed that day, but Harkers Island’s Leigh Batter wasn’t upset about it.
“When we’re fishing a tournament that’s all we’re looking for,” he explained.
They found the right fish, as it narrowly slid the crew onto the top of the leaderboard at the event, held August 16 out of New River Marina.
Batter, fishing with boat owner Randy Pulley, George Adams, and Steve Mariner aboard a 31’ Contender, didn’t do any pre-fishing prior to the event, but they were confident in their game plan regardless.
“We know where the fish are,” he continued, “—the east side.”
After locating some menhaden the morning of the event near Harkers Island, the anglers loaded up their livewell and headed out Barden’s Inlet.
“It was one throw and go,” Batter said.
After crossing Lookout Shoals to get to the notoriously productive spots on the east side, the anglers set their sights on the 1700 Rock, an area that’s held up to its reputation for producing big kings this summer.
“I think the last three tournaments have been won there,” Batter reported.
They only found sharks and other pests for the first few hours of the morning, but around 10:30 something grabbed a naked menhaden they were trolling on the surface.
Adams was the first to the rod and picked it up as the fish peeled off line. After clearing the rest of their lines, the anglers pointed the Contender’s bow towards the fish and began to give chase.
When they got a glimpse of the fish, the crew knew it was one they wanted in the boat.
“Oh yeah, we got a look at it,” Batter continued. “I always get nervous with a big one like that because I’ve seen plenty of them pull the hooks.”
Fortunately for the quartet aboard “Precision Marine,” the hooks held and they were able to bring the big king to the boat around 30 minutes after the strike.
Putting the near-46 lb. fish on ice, the anglers immediately packed up their gear and decided to head west.
“We wanted to get close to the weigh-in,” Batter explained, “so we headed in and fished New River Inlet and a ledge right off there until the scales opened up.”
While waiting on the scales to open, they learned on the radio that another sizeable king was also headed to Sneads Ferry on a competitor’s boat.
“John on the ‘Second Chanze’ had a good one,” Batter said. “He always does. We were nervous about that fish.”
When the numbers settled, the “Precision Marine” fish came out just over half a pound heavier and sent the anglers who scaled it to the winner’s circle.
John Lewis and the “Second Chanze,” of Morehead City, secured second place with their big fish, a 45.25 lb. king. The “East Coast Sports” crew and Randall Edens rounded out the top three with a 42.60 lb. king.
The Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament serves as a vital fundraiser for the Sneads Ferry Rotary Club. More information on the event and a full leaderboard are available at www.sneadsferryrotary.com.
