It was not a tournament for record fish as far as size goes, but many anglers caught more small kingfish than ever before. The crew of the “Lightening Strikes” boat, Captain Jason Marsh, Tom Brooks, John Richard, and Bill Dolsen caught ten kingfish on the second day, the largest being a 26.2 pounder. Their two-day total was 38.2 pounds. They were out of the money, but placed somewhere around 50th in the big fish category and around 40th on the aggregate side, out of a field of some 900 boats – not bad for local boys on a budget.
A temperature drop on the beaches of St. Augustine and Jacksonville over the last month sent the favorite baitfish – menhaden shad or “pogies” – packing for warmer water. They were nowhere to be found locally. Anglers headed north to Brunswick or far south of St. Augustine to find their pogies. Other anglers headed for near shore wrecks to catch Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, goggle eyes or blue runners.
The lack of pogies also changed the strategy of most anglers. Smoker kingfish are normally prowling the beaches this time of year in their spawning cycle. Without baitfish, they headed either north and south or east to the wrecks, and so did most of the anglers.
The winning fish was caught 130 miles south off of Port Canaveral. Several large fish were caught off of Brunswick, and the winning aggregate total came from water some 25 miles east of St Augustine.
This tourney gets better every year. Billed as the largest saltwater tournament in the world, it is probably the best organized as well. Most tournaments are geared to the professional anglers and local weekend fishermen take a back seat. This one gives every angler a chance as some great prizes and money.
Congratulations to the winners and the “almost winners”. Next year brings a whole new opportunity!
