King Mackerel Bite Red Hot for Fall Brawl Tournament

 

 

On Friday leading up to the tournament fishing on Saturday and Sunday, anticipation was high amongst participants. Tournament fishermen knew that everything was in place for a red hot bite over the weekend. Rumors of big Kings being caught at Lighthouse Rocks, just offshore of the Cape Fear River were running rampant. By the end of registration on Friday night, 245 fishing teams from all over the Carolinas had signed up to compete for over $50,000 in prize money and the $20,000+ first place prize.

 

Day 1, Saturday started with light northeast winds. Boats scattered out all across the area’s waters, but most found their way to Cape Fear Ship Channel and Lighthouse Rocks where a bite of Kings continued. Fall King Mackerel fishing off of the Cape Fear Ship Channel is legendary. It happens every year, and when the bite does go off, everyone who is anyone that know King Mackerel fishing, knows this is the place to be. The nice thing about fishing the area is it is very expansive, several square miles of rocky bottom that holds bait and thus the Kings; thus regardless of 200+ tournament boats fishing the same area, it is still a fishable scenario. In fact, to be in the pack and be part of the big bite with fishing being fought all around you and reels going off, it is quite exciting. Plenty of reels went off on Day 1, but it was Jamie Milam aboard the Prime Time who held the first place spot with a 37 pound King. A total of 4, 30 pound plus Kings were weighed in.

 

Day 2, Sunday there was no question where the fleet was heading. The Ship Channel and Lighthouse Rocks were a parking lot, but the big fish were biting. The winds had shifted the South and as such, the big Kings decided it was time to bite. Jay Bucklen and crew of the Cape Contender set lines out near Lighthouse Rocks at 8am. They had caught fresh live bait early that morning and as soon as they began fishing, the bite was on. Jay reported that the crew had boated 3 fish immediately upon arrival and finally reset the lines at 8:30am when the long top line again was struck. Jay grabbed the rod when another monster King crashed across the stern of the boat and pounced on the prop wash live bait. It was obvious to the crew that this was a King they wanted to boat. Jay broke his line off and they took chase after the big King who was peeling line off the reel. A 30 minute fight ensued before the gaff was sunk into the King and it was hauled overboard. Hollers, high-fives and a lot of excitement ensued aboard the Cape Contender. The crew knew this was their big fish, and they knew they might as well pack it in for the day and head to the tournament scales; they did not want to take any chances of having problems getting back. At about 10am my phone rang as the coconut telegraph fired up with news that a 50+ pound King was coming to the scales. Throughout the day I got dozens of calls wanting to know about this monster coming in. The scales did not open until 2pm, so the anticipation built throughout the day. Finally at 2pm Jay and crew pulled up the scales with big grins. They had the King iced down in a fish bag and when they unzipped the bag to reveal their day’s catch, it was obvious this was a remarkable fish. Pictures were taken and congratulations awarded before the fish finally made it to the scales. Tournament weigh master Rube McMullan checked the King and set it on the scale. The digits flew past 40, 50 and finally settled at 56.80 pounds. What a monster. The King is the largest weighed in any tournament in the Carolinas this year, is the largest King ever weighed in the Fall Brawl and the largest King ever weighed at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center. Congratulations to the Cape Contender fishing team for the awesome catch and foregone conclusion to win the 2010 Fall Brawl King Classic. However, Jay and team were the not the only ones having great luck. The entire fleet was catching lots of Kings and lots of big ones too. The Top Choice team captained by David Gore weighed a 40 pound King which would typically win. In total, 10 Kings over 30 pounds were weighed in and dozens over 25 pounds. It was Fall fishing at its finest; finally.

 

Thanks again to all 245 participating teams who joined the Fall Brawl. My family and I hope you enjoyed not on the great fishing, but the family oriented event and all its festivities and great food.

 

OIFC North Carolina State Championship King Mackerel Tournament- NEXT UP