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NATIONALS AT A GLANCE

288 Fish weighed first day ... one every minute for approximately four and a half hours.

227 Fish weighed the second day.

Open Class boats weighed 49 king mackerel over 50 pounds ... Largest 59.43 caught on Jerry Stephenson's Digestible.

Class of 23 boats weighed five king mackerel over 50 pounds ... Largest 57.10 caught on Chad Sanders' Reel Screamer.

A total of 155 kings over 40 pounds were weighed by open class boats.

A total of 34 kings over 40 pounds were weighed by the Class of 23 boats.

11 tournament boats had two fish aggregates of 100 pounds or better.

SKA records: Most kings weighed in at a National Championship, largest two-fish aggregate, 114.04, and greatest number of kings over 50 pounds, 54.

THE 1996 ANGLER OF THE YEAR, RICK SMITH, ADDS A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE TO THE WILD TURKEY'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS!
BILOXI, MS
NOVEMBER 20-22, 2003
by Jack Holmes

The official tournament t-shirts read "The greatest tournament on Earth" to complement this year's National Championship theme, Carnival of Champions. It lived up to the proclamation and then some.

The 1996 Top Angler of the Year, Rick Smith, gave the Wellcraft, Wal-Mart, Evinrude, Loadmaster team member the National Championship title for a second year in a row. Smith, longtime fishing partner Tony Thaw, Tim Ellis, and Jim Mancil scaled a 58.52 on day one then backed it up with a 55.52 on day two for a record setting 114.04 aggregate aboard Smith's Wild Turkey.

"We made the run to the West Delta both days," said the Captain after being proclaimed the Champion. "We were lucky to be away from most of the pack of boats when our 58 pounder ate a ribbonfish 25 feet down in 50 feet of water at 10:30 am. Tony fought the fish and it was the first 50 pounder ever caught on our boat."

The Turkey team returned to the same area on day two. "My team was battling with all the others in the top spots after day one, we knew we needed another good fish but it didn't come till late," the captain added being glad it was all over. At 2 o'clock their winning king ate a blue runner on the surface and they were off to the scale.

The Brunswick, Georgia team wanted to say thanks to all who have helped them. First their team mates on the Wal-Mart team, Wellcraft, Loadmaster trailers, and Evinrude Direct Injection Outboards. Gordon Houser and Zora Frazier helped them get on the team and gave them expert advice on professional standards.

Rick and Tony fish the Yamaha Pro Tour but also fish divisional competition with the whole family. They epitomize what the SKA is all about and will bring a lot of prestige to the association the year they wear the crown. Their victory won them a 23' Fountain powerboat, powered by a 250 hp Mercury outboard, and resting on a custom aluminum Loadmaster trailer.

Another Georgia team, the Emmaline & Tackle, ran west to the Delta also. "We had our spot picked but stopped short when we saw fish," said team Captain John Crabb III. "John Phillipoff hooked our biggest king of the day, a 52.87, using a blue runner trolled 30 feet down, and Shawn Woods gaffed the king."

On day two the team which also consisted of Rob Dunagan and Steve Howell ran back to the Delta and fished a spot a few miles from where they bagged the first days fish. "We couldn't keep more than two baits in the water all day," added the Captain, excited that the Yamaha powered Yellowfin team had just bagged second place in this years Championship. Shawn picked up the rod and set the hook at 11 am on what would be their 54.90 second day king. Their 107.77 two fish aggregate was a half pound better than the third place boat. The team won a Sweet Sixteen sport Donzi with a MerCruiser performance stern drive and a Loadmaster trailer trailer for their efforts.

Jacksonville, Florida's Conrad Lau, another member of the Wal-Mart, Wellcraft team, captured third with 107.39 points and also fished the West Delta. "It's a tough decision making that two plus hour run before you even wet a hook but unlike last year, the weather made our decision a lot easier," said Lau after accepting his accolades. "We had our first day fish in the boat at 10:30." The 53.46 ate a hardtail on the surface and was caught by Andy Seeker.

Day two found them back in the Delta at the same area and their early efforts produced a 42 and a 48. Good fish but they knew it wasn't quite big enough. Lau went on to inform, "We moved about a half a mile. First the downrigger line went off and then the two outrigger lines. We had a triple header and we knew they were all good fish. Chaos ruled as one king Bruce Woodard was fighting ran thru another boats lines who was also hooked up, everyone around us was hooked up. Larry Porters king died and he had to pull it up from the bottom. We were lucky, it had a big mud spot where it hit the bottom." After all the confusion the king weighed 53.93 and won the Koolau a SeaStrike boat, Mercury powered, and a Loadmaster Trailer.

Lau was quick to point out that he really appreciated all his sponsors help. Evinrude Direct Injection Engines, Wal-Mart, Spro Swivels, Stren Line, and of course Wellcraft.

Creighton Parker and his Rag Tag team of Brian Morris and Nathan Dennis earned fourth place honors with 107.33 points. They were the top "local" team this year and Contender boats highest finisher. "We ran to the Delta the first day but had to come back to the east side to find our 52.60," said the young Captain. "We started in deep water but had no luck. We moved into 30 to 40 feet of water where we caught 50 fish in two hours, all in the 30's." The Rag Tag team heard of big fish being caught a CA25 so at 2:30 they ran 85 miles back to the east. "We stopped away from the rig and the second bait in the water, a hard tail on top, was hit by the 52," Parker added.

"It was a tough decision on where to go on day two," Parker explained. "We planned on fishing the east but heard of big fish back in the Delta." The team elected to run west and found a group of boats fishing the tide line on their Furuno NavNet Radar. They joined the pack and right away bagged 54.73. "We only had 125 gallons of fuel in the tank and thought it was wise to head back. My HPDI Yamaha's worked great."

Parker won a 200hp Mercury Outboard plus cash for his team's work.

Bryan Wallace brought his Mercury powered Yellowfin from Dunedin, Florida with determination. It worked, he and Scott Wallace, Charles Dewire, and Johnny Wood put a 54.29 on the scale the first day and backed it up with a 52.82 on day two for 107.11 points. After scaling two great kings it's got to be a little disheartening knowing you missed second place by just over a half a pound, but that's how tight second thru fifth place was this year.

"We got to the Delta around nine and began releasing kings in the upper 40's right away. At noon the 54 hit.," said Wallace who estimated that the team caught 125 fish over the two day event and only killed three. "We thought she was in the 40's so we tailed her. We were really surprised when Bob Flocken said 54.29.

On day two the team had no runners so they began fishing with ribbon fish. "They were rotten at that," Wallace made sure we understood. At noon again the team hooked up to a good fish and put her in the bag. It was enough for fifth place honors, a new Mercury outboard, and some cash.

What was truly amazing was that twelve of the open class boats scored two fish aggregates of 100 pounds or better. Last years winner, Ed Mecchella' Fish Fever, was the only team to break the 100 pound barrier with a 101.73 aggregate. If you didn't have a two fish aggregate above 91 pounds you didn't make it into the top forty. Fishermen came to the scale telling me of releasing over fifty and sixty fish and one captain summed it up the best, "I thru back bigger fish than I caught to qualify, it was the most amazing two days of fishing I've ever experienced." I never talked to one qualifier who thought that the Nationals should not be held in Biloxi. I wonder why?

The sixth and seventh place teams came from South Carolina. Jamie Laird, Chad Stewart, and Michael McClain earned sixth aboard their Mercury powered Intrepid Job Site by scaling a 49.83 on day one, then backing it up with a 56.45 for a 106.28 total. Most of the teams who weighed a record 54 kings over 50 pounds told me that these were the biggest kings they ever caught. Such was the case for the Job Site.

Bryan Edwards fishes a non factory sponsored Wellcraft, but he should be! His team of Mike Glover, Alex Dewey, and Alan Rogers gave Wellcraft their third boat in the top ten and should be recognized by them. The Reel Krazy team smacked a 48.72 on day one then came right back with a nice 54.70 for 103.42 points. A great weekends performance, seventh place. This is a super fishing team.

Geoffrey Gibson put his Yamaha powered Contender, Rusty Hook into eighth with 101.82 points. The Dothan, Alabama captain could only scale a 47.20 on day one but came back like the winner he and his team are with a 54.62 on day two. What's interesting is that this team fished east of Biloxi, off Dauphin Island, Alabama only ten miles off the beach.

Jon Gundlach and Bud Randall gave Yellowfin boats their third team in the top ten. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Mercury Outboards team, The Natural, earned ninth with 101.56 points. They had a spectacular 58.54 on day one but could only scale a 43.02 on day two. Another 50 and they would have won a boat. Never the less this is one team that is making their mark in the sport fishing ranks. "We made only one mistake," said Gundlach. "We needed a third pair of hands on the boat this weekend. The bite was literally non stop."

Anna Maria, Florida's D. Scott Elliott earned tenth and put Contender boats in the three in the top ten ranks. Scott bagged a 54.44 and a 46.43 for 100.87 points. He fishes the Use of Proceeds.

It should be noted that Greg Slayton caught 100.29 pounds of fish to earn eleventh aboard the Tenacious while George Jordan Sr. earned eleventh with 100 pounds fishing his Intimidator 3. Both fish Mercury powered Donzis.

Jordan fished his third season with the SKA this year. At the beginning of the season Jordan weighed a big fish in one of Division 7 early tournaments. He told me, "I've fished the last two years and didn't qualify. This year I've done my homework and expect to get an invite." He did and earned 12th. It just goes to prove that perseverance and dedication always pays off. Anyone can excel in this sport if they just apply themselves, just ask Jordan. We're proud of the whole family!

This tournament will go down in the annals of history as the best tournament ever fished in the 13 year existence of the SKA. To everyone that fished, congratulations, you were a part of history. You witnessed and participated in the greatest bite ever and one that fishermen will talk about for many years to come To those that qualified and let their Division fishermen down by staying home, you really blew it!

Yes, it was announced that the 2004 Nationals will again be in Biloxi.

"Knot @ Work Takes Home the Class of 23 Championship!"
BILOXI, MS
NOVEMBER 20-22, 2003
By: Andrew Winburn

Robert Olsen, Scotty McInerny and Kelly Whiddon sat tied up to the dock on the second day of fishing waiting for official word that the scales were open. Once they were open, the Knot @ Work fishing team grabbed their fish bag and added a 49.29 monster king to their 47.86 of the first day. "It was just a waiting game from then on out," said Robert of the nearly four hour wait for the last boat to weigh. Robert, Scotty and Kelly received a 23' twin Mercury powered Palmetto boat on a Loadmaster Trailer for their Championship fishing weekend.

Knot @ Work, a 23' Sea Pro bay boat, fished the Chandeleur Islands both days. "It was the third fish of day one," Robert said of the 47.86. "We had a 39 and a 42 before that fish." With a 47 pounder on the board after the first day of the Nationals, most teams in the 23 and Under Division would feel very good about their chances of finishing the weekend with a victory, but the South Carolina based Knot @ Work fishing team found themselves in trouble. "We had a major problem with our gas line," explained the captain. "Our hope for a top finish in the Nationals was basically over until we got help from Dan Upton. We cannot thank him enough." With their problem fixed, the Knot @ Work team found themselves back at the Chandeleur Islands on day two.

The 23' Sea Pro team deployed their spread of baits and sat waiting for the big girl to hit one of the blue runners. One on the surface was hit and wounded, and within ten seconds the 49.29 that they needed skied and finished off what was left of the bait. "Five boats saw that fish sky, and they all came over the radio with 'that's a good one' as we were working it towards the boat," explained Robert.

Knot @ Work could not have accomplished this incredible task with out the help they received from Dan Upton, the Got Tu boat and the Triple Gobble boat. At the awards breakfast Robert said, "Thanks to my wife, Sea Pro, Jimmy Metts, Tommy Hancock and all of the people in Charleston, South Carolina who helped make this trip possible." If the night of the victory is any indication, Robert, Scotty and Kelly will surely enjoy their year as National Champions!

The 23' Contender the Johnny B out of Rosharon, Texas took second place honors and left Biloxi with a new 17' Sea Pro boat, Mercury Outboard and Loadmaster Trailer. Captain Johnny Berkenstein, his father John Berkenstein and friend Nick Garthwaite made the run to the West Delta on both days catching a 46.22 and 49.80 to finish with an aggregate of 96.02. The Johnny B crew caught numerous fish in the low 40's during the first day of fishing, but the 46.22 came late. "We were putting out a Spanish at 2pm. Actually, we were trying to put it down on the rigger but it was hit before we got it down," said Johnny.

At 9:30 on the second day, a ribbonfish down 20 feet was hit. "That fish was running faster than the boat. Nick kept yelling that she was beating me. I put the hammer down and after three more steady runs we had her in the boat," Johnny said. With a great bite at the West Delta the Johnny B continued to fish to no avail until 3pm looking for an extra pound or two. They put their 23' Yamaha powered Contender to the test and made it back to the scale in Biloxi with plenty of time to spare. The Johnny B finished 18th in the Nationals last year and fell just 8 pounds short of doubling their aggregate from a year ago- What an improvement!

The Ben Zach, named after Joel Milam's two boys Ben and Zach went back to Burgaw, North Carolina with third place honors in the Class of 23. Fishing with Joel, Ben and Zachary was Scott Harris from McKee Craft. "This was a very memorable week," said Joel. "My sons both caught their first 40 plus pound Kingfish. It is so great to be able to fish with my boys." On day one the family affair continued as Joel's relative Jamie Milam on the Prime Time called the Ben Zach in to the CA 25. At 11:30 their smoker 48.83 hit a ribbonfish on the downrigger. Zach angled the fish and put the McKee Craft boat in great position for day 2. The Ben Zach managed a 45.67 at the West Delta on Saturday. Their two fish aggregate was 94.5 pounds.

Mitch Mosley and Charlie Oberkirk on the Yamaha powered Contender Lined Out were fortunate to have plenty of bait as they headed out towards Dauphin Island on Friday morning. "As soon as we got there we put out a few baits. Before we had our last downrigger down, a great king skied on the long flat lined hard tail," said Mitch. Charlie cleared the lines and took control of the wheel as Mitch got the fish to the boat. Lined Out fished the same spot on Saturday and had the same luck. "We didn't see another tournament boat all weekend. We could not have asked for better conditions to fish the Nationals, especially since we took fourth place and scaled a 46 and 45 pound king!"

Jim and David Ingalls teamed with Tim Roush on the Inspiration and earned fifth. Inspiration weighed a 36.22 on the first day. Their second day was much better. Just before the scales opened their Yamaha powered Mantaray was on its way to the dock. And for good reason. They unzipped their fish bag and proudly displayed a 55.15 pound slab. That 55 pounder bumped their two-day aggregate to 91.37.

Leroy Kinlaw led the Wanda's Diamonds to a sixth place finish. The St. Augustine, Florida team weighed a 38.74 on Friday and followed that up with an incredible 52.57 on Saturday.

Ellis Phillips and the Double Gobble team from Richmond Hill, Georgia had an aggregate of 90.5 to capture seventh. They weighed a 42.9 on Friday and a 47.6 on Saturday.

Eighth place went to Tarboro, North Carolina resident Richard Shortt on the Frequent Flyer. Frequent Flyer caught a 42.96 the first day and managed to follow that fish with a 47.6 on Saturday. Robert Anderson's Diamond Cutter nailed ninth with an 86.76 two fish aggregate. The Eric Smith family weighed a 38 pounder on day one and added ten more pounds to their day two fish giving them the tenth spot with 86.12 pounds.

Three of the top 15 Class of 23 boats weighed 50 plus pound fish. The Ingalls with their 55.15, Wanda's Diamonds had a 52.57 and Chip and Chad Sanders took thirteenth on the Reel Screamer after weighing in a smoker 57.1 on the second day. Congratulations to all Class of 23 boats making the trip to Biloxi. We know you will fish your hardest to make it back in 2004!

Final Standings

" Miller Tyme’s 59.25 Leads the Open Class After Day One "
by Andrew Winburn

Joseph Miller and crew aboard the 31’ Contender Miller Tyme scaled a monster 59.25 late on the first day to take over the lead in the 2003 SKA National Championship. That 59.25 bumped the 59.00 of the South Carolina based King of Kings into second.  James Tuten Jr’s 23’ Contender Purple Hooter had the largest fish in the Class of 23, a 50.06.  Joe Hutchens and the Sure Thing from North Carolina saw themselves in the second spot with a 49.89.

“This has to be the finest day of fishing in the history of the SKA,” said Jack Holmes.Hundreds of smoker kings were caught and 19 50-plus pounders were weighed.100 40-pound kings were weighed with 42 of those being over 45 pounds.The large crowd at the weigh-in saw 288 boats weigh fish on the first day and witnessed a day that will surely go down in the record books.There were reports on the water of countless boats releasing between 40 and 50 kings. One captain even said that every fish he released was bigger than any that he used to qualify for Nationals.More than 20 teams sat anchored up in front of the weigh-in waiting for the scales to open at 4pm on Friday.And once they were opened boats weighed fish non-stop for nearly four hours.

No one could have asked for better weather with the ocean being slick-flat and the temperature was perfect.Class of 23 and the Open Division could fish anywhere they wanted and the same will hold true for Day 2.

It took over 43 pounds to make the top 10 in the Class of 23 for the first day and over 52 pounds to see your name in the top 15 for the Open Division.Without a doubt there was a Championship atmosphere in Biloxi, Mississippi on Friday that could not be matched anywhere!

In the Open Division Jon Gundlach’s 31’ Mercury powered Yellowfin, The Natural, held the third spot with a 58.54. Rick Smith’s Wild Turkey followed closely in fourth with a 58.52.Early Riser, captained by John Parks, landed the fifth position after day one with a 55.15.And the Use of Proceeds grabbed the sixth spot with a 54.44.

Joel Milam’s 23’ boat the Ben Zach ended day one in the third spot Class of 23 with a 48.83.Knot@Work had a 47.86 good enough for the fourth position.Mitch Mosley’s Lined Out edged out Timberwolf for fifth with a 46.82. 

NEWS OF THE POLL ARE IN! National Championship Course Determined.

For the past six years the Southern Kingfish Association has been rotating the National Championship between three sites. This has been a very expensive venue for the organization and very difficult logistically because of the shear numbers attending the event. There just are not many places that can accommodate us, especially at that time of the year. Weather and safety issues were also a major concern especially with the Class of 23 getting so strong. A National Championship just cannot be canceled. At the annual Board of Directors meeting, a resolution was adopted to poll team Captains on the east coast to determine their thoughts about the Championship. We already knew what the outcome would be when we asked their favorite site. A lot of members chose the state closest to their home waters and that was understandable. We also asked if we should find a permanent home for the Championship and by a two to one margin you said yes. We also asked if the SKA should put the event up for bids, to solicit help from the host city like BASS does. With added funding from the host city we could do more for the qualifiers and ease our burden. The majority of those responding also said yes.

We did not poll the Captains in the upper Gulf states because we already knew what the outcome would be, however, when we tallied the favorite site portion of the poll, Biloxi was the top choice. Obviously, the majority of the membership attending this years event liked what we did in Biloxi despite certain last minute challenges.

Our first choice then is to return back to Biloxi in 2003. However, we don't know if we can accomplish this. We have a meeting with the city and casino operators on February 3rd to (1.) See if they want us back and (2.) If they're willing to help us fund the event. However, we believe that we can accomplish our goal. We are also sending out a proposal package to other cities where we know fishing is good at that time of the year, highlighting what the event means to their city. From this we hope to garner a selection of sites for future years.

We hope that the majority of fishermen understand that this is strictly a business decision. One that will ultimately improve the quality and stature of the event and address our safety issues. It will also strengthen our position with our Corporate Partners and also make it easier for them to expand their Championship participation.

As we all have a stake in the future of our sport, we decided that the time had come to make this important decision if you agreed. You did and we thank you. We will keep you apprised of the outcome of the meeting and responses from our inquires. We may also ask you to help us if your local city responds. Please also be advised that if you feel that the event should be in your city, pick up the phone and call your local Visitors and Convention Bureau, your Chamber of Commerce, or local city official and start the ball rolling for us. If you would like a copy of the impact study for an official we will be more than happy to provide it to you.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.