South Brunswick Islands KMT 2006
On Saturday, August 26, the Holden Beach Marina hosted the 18th annual South Brunswick Islands King Classic. There were 117 boats that turned out to fish this year’s event, and they were greeted with pleasant weather but tough fishing. Even though the entire field managed to bring only 36 kings to the scales, the field still caught some heavy fish on a day when the fish weren’t biting.
The Calabash, NC-based team “Fish Meister,” headed by Dean Spatholt, topped the field by bringing a 42.62 lb. king to the weigh-in. The fish put Spatholt atop both the TWT and High Roller’s TWT as well, earning a total prize check for $15,225, as well as a brand new 225 hp Mercury Optimax outboard (worth $13,870).
The first place king ate a naked pogy trolled long around 11:15. The bite came in 65′ of water east of Cape Lookout Shoals. After the strike Spatholt grabbed the rod, and the fish took off on a 250 yard run. The big first run sapped the king’s energy, however, and when the team got the 36′ Yamaha-powered Yellowfin to the big mackerel, Russell Spatholt was able to sink a gaff in it. Dennis Watson ran the boat throughout the short 12-minute fight.
Before hooking the winning fish, the “Fish Meister” team caught several smaller kings.
The team had no difficulty procuring bait on Saturday. They cast netted ribbonfish at the Atlantic Beach Bridge, and then headed to Harker’s Island to catch menhaden. The ribbonfish proved difficult to keep alive in the well, and Spatholt put them on ice.
They used both ribbonfish and pogies in their spread, and although the big king at a pogy, Spatholt expected to get a big bite on the flashy ribbons.
“They looked like a chrome bumper flashing down there,” he said.
Spatholt wished to thank Captain Mark’s Chum and Yamaha Outboards for their role in bringing home the win. He also lamented the absence of integral team member David Haines, who was in Florida and unable to fish this event.
The “Addiction” team, out of Charlotte, NC, secured second place with a 36.01 lb. king mackerel. The team, consisting of Capt. Jason Deese, Frank Deese, Stephen Kiejewski, and Charles Sullivan, had only fished one other tournament in their new 33′ Mercury-powered Palmetto since upgrading from a 23′ Palm Beach.
The fish earned them a check for $5,685 and a boat wrap from Jax Wraps worth $5,500. Frank Deese won an additional $300 as top Senior Angler.
The team was anchored up and chumming on the Yaupon Reef when the 36 lb. fish bit around 11:45 Saturday. The king hit a naked pogy beneath a balloon. Frank Deese took the rod following the bite, and he fought the fish to the boat in only 10 minutes. Jason Deese gaffed the fish when it got within range.
Jason Deese wished to thank sponsors CFS Enterprises and Industrial Materials Incorporated.
Third place went to the Burgaw, NC-based “Prime Time,” a 32′ Mercury-powered Donzi captained by Jim Milam. The “Prime Time” team, consisting of Jim, Jason, and Jamie Milam, and Matt Decillio, brought a 28.80 lb. king to the scales. The fish earned them a check for $4,050 and a Raymarine electronics package valued at $4,500.
The third place king bit a naked pogy on top at 10:30 Saturday morning. The strike came 50 miles southwest of Holden Beach in 70′ of water. Decillio took the rod for the fight, during which the king mostly stayed deep and circled the boat. After a long 30 minute fight, Decillio got the king close enough for Jamie Milam to gaff it.
The Milams would like to thank Coastal Carolina Marine, Donzi Boats, and Mercury Outboards for helping them get to their third place finish.
Fourth place went to Jeff Page and the “Keeping it Reel” team from Norwood, NC. The team weighed in a 28.03 lb. king to earn a check for $1560 and a $1400 pair of Steiner Digital Binoculars.
The “Keeping it Reel” king bit a double pogy rig trolled in the propwash of the 27′ Yamaha-powered Contender. The fish hit around 11:30 in 65′ of water 50 miles south of Murrell’s Inlet. Jared Floyd fought the fish, which made a 200 yard run and stayed deep after biting. Capt. Jeff Page chased the fish with the boat, and when it came up Doug Straining gaffed it to put a close to the 20 minute fight.
Samuel Ottoway’s “Out of Reach” team from Holly Ridge, NC, finished fifth by weighing a 25.45 lb. king mackerel. The king garnered a check for $1248 and a pair of Turbo Twin Stainless Props worth $1300. Ottoway’s teammates included Eric Raynor, Keith Sink, and Lane Sink.
A double pogy rig trolled on top fooled the “Out of Reach” 25 lb. king into biting around 7:30 am. They were east of Cape Lookout Shoals. Keith Sink fought the king for around 15 minutes before Ottoway was able to plant a gaff in it.
Jack Paczosa III and the “Done Deal” finished atop the Class of 23′ field and won $2110. They weighed in a 21.72 lb. king.
Michelle Evans, fishing aboard “The Law,” was the top Lady Angler in the event. She brought home $400 for a 24.12 lb. king.
Jessie Vereen caught a 23.46 lb. king aboard the “Sea Mint” to top the Junior Angler division and win $300.
Tournament organizer Terry Adkins wished to thank sponsors Mercury Marine, Jax Wraps, and Raymarine for their generous donations of prizes.
He also wished to express gratitude to the following local sponsors for guaranteeing cash prizes: HB Spokes Saloon for the Senior Angler prizes; Wireless Solutions Group for the Lady Angler prizes; Callahan’s Nautical Gifts and Dean Spatholt for the Junior Angler prizes; Chatlee Boat and Marine for the Class of 23′ prizes; and Seatow Ocean Isle for the Check-In prizes.
For the complete list of kings weighed in, please visit www.bluewaterpromo.com
