(* Denotes a Class of 23 Team)

GREATER JACKSONVILLE TOURNEY FALLS TO LAST DRAW
Attitude Adjuster Brings Home Aggregate Win
by Sam White
Jacksonville, FL
July 27, 2001

With a prize structure estimated at over $700,000, it's no wonder that this year's Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament once again reached their 1,000 boat tournament limit. Now in its' twenty-first year of operation, this event has grown annually, and this year was certainly no exception. Wellcraft and Conseco stepped up this year along with Yamaha and Loadmaster Trailers, to offer four boats as prizes during the tournament, including a new 32-foot Scarab powered by twin Yamaha 250s for first place. Second would take home a 29-foot Scarab, also powered by the big Yamaha 250s, while the aggregate winner's prize would be a new Ford F150 4X4 Crew Cab pickup truck. All four boats offered as prizes were sitting atop custom Loadmaster aluminum trailers. Mike Burch's Last Draw team would be the big winners of the tournament on the strength of their Day Two fish, a 42.65 pound king. "We fished on the beach south of Jacksonville," co-captain Bruce Woodard reported. "Something changed this week, because we have fished there all week without any bites at all, but for some reason the fish moved in there today." The team had fished north early in the day, loading up their Contender's livewells with nice pogies castnetted off Cumberland Island in southern Georgia, but they couldn't find any takers. "We headed back south so we could fish until the last minute on the beach, but we only had the baits out for about 15 minutes when this fish hit," Woodard said. "The funny thing was that it didn't run at all--I told Mike that it was probably a shark. But we've been fooled before, so we didn't take a chance." The king hit a Penn 12T on a Dave Workman series live bait rod. The team also used Terminator's new wire and fluorocarbon leader material. The big kingfish rolled up beside the boat before making one good run, and the team knew they had a good one on the line. Once they chased her down and boated the fish, the swivel broke. A few more seconds in the water and their chances at a tournament winner would have been lost. Instead, luck was on their side and the new Yamaha-powered Wellcraft was theirs. This tenacious fishing team now has their sights set on a divisional win and a trip to Ft. Pierce for the SKA National Championship later in the season.

Steve Donalson normally crews with Matt Bridgewater and the Gemlux team, but chose to form his own team to compete in the Greater Jacksonville. Fishing with his dad Bob and friend Mike Darby on a 19-foot Yamaha-powered SeaSwirl, Steve had big plans for the event. "We're going to go out and try to put a big fish in the boat," he said while signing up with the SKA. Sure enough, the Blind Date team returned on the first day of fishing with a 41.75 pound kingfish aboard the small boat. The Blind Date would lead throughout the first day but eventually fell to second once the winners weighed in. "I don't really care that we got beaten by less than a pound," Steve said later. "We're just extremely happy with second place." They would win the 29-foot Wellcraft Scarab powered by twin 250 hp. Yamahas and resting atop a Loadmaster aluminum trailer for their efforts during the weekend. Stephen Szczepanik's Lacey Sue II team would be the next highest finishing team registered with the SKA. The Lacey Sue II made the big board in sixth place, followed by Joseph Brown's Harpoon in seventh. Rusty Kennedy placed eighth, fishing from one of the new triple Mercury-powered Fountain 37s, followed by Karlton Norton's Reel Hawg in ninth place. Jim Crews and the Crews N' II Outboard team rounded out the top ten with a 35.30 pound kingfish.

North Carolina's Attitude Adjuster team traveled to Jacksonville for this year's tournament, and would return home with the Aggregate honors. They were able to boat a 27 even on the first day, and follow up with a 41.4 to finish the event with a two fish total of 68.40 pounds, good for the Ford 4X4 and the Agg win. "We've really got to credit our Georgia Wellcraft teams for the win," said Jim Davis. "Especially Ed [Mecchella] on the Fish Fever. He called us in on a bite at the D Bouy in Georgia, and that's were we got the 41.4." The team found respectable pogies off Little St. Simons before heading offshore. Their biggest fish of the weekend nailed a double pogy fished off the long rigger before making one very long run on the surface. A very short while later the team was able to gaff the smoker and bring her aboard the Mercury-powered Wellcraft. The team wanted to thank their many sponsors for their help during the season: Wellcraft, Conseco, Mercury, Loadmaster, Raymarine, Penn, American Fishing Wire, VMC Hooks, C-Map, and Killer Bee. "We also need to credit Scott and Chris with Preferred Marine," reported Murphy. "They worked on our motors during the St. Simons tournament, and kept us in the running for this one."

Second place in the Aggregate category fell to another small boat team--Robert Bishop's Fishbuster. They would take home a Yamaha-powered Wellcraft 18 for the runner up spot with a two day, two fish total of 67.30 pounds. When asked about their success, Bishop replied, "We just weighed two good fish in two days!" A 33.2 on Day One had them in the running, then a 34.10 on the second day was enough to secure them a runner up spot in the Aggregate. Bishop had located a good live bottom earlier in the year during the Kingbuster that was approximately two and a half hours south of Jacksonville. "I just wanted to get away from the fleet," he said, "so we headed way south both days to a spot in 40 to 60 feet of water. There was a good bite both days--all our fish on the first day hit pogies, while the second day they all hit ribbonfish." Bishop has fished the Greater Jacksonville annually since its' inception twenty one years ago, and this is their highest finish yet. The team is also looking ahead to the Nationals in the Class of 23 this season. They were followed by Steve Lucie's Yamaha-powered Intrepid, Blue Runner, in third place. Lucie was able to scale a two day aggregate of 65 pounds even during the tournament. Charles and Randy Mardant, another father and son team, put the Money Eater into fourth in the aggregate with 64.75 pounds. Ocean Waves' Kevin Carlson placed sixth in the tournament's agg division with 60.15 pounds, followed by Henry Bishop and the Gravy Train team in eighth with 57.15 pounds.

With the help of some heavy duty sponsorship from Wellcraft, Conseco, Yamaha, Loadmaster, Ford and many others, the tournament has regained its' reputation as the nation's largest kingfish-only tournament, a reputation they hope to maintain for many years to come. The sight of nearly 400 boats in the weigh in line is certainly one that I won't forget for a while.

Final Standings: Top 10 Big Fish

1. LAST DRAW......................42.65 Contender/Yamaha Mike Burch Bruce Woodard Marc Neu Michael Burch Jr. 2. * BLIND DATE....................41.75 SeaPlus/Yamaha Steve Donalson Bob Donalson Mike Darby 3. Plumb Crazy...............39.25 4. Zulu Canu.......................38.8 5. Off Duty..........................37.10 6. * LACEY SUE II....................36.55 Wellcraft/Mercury Stephen Szczepanik Paul Szczepanik Robert Holmquist	7. HARPOON......................36.20 Thunder/Mercury Joseph Brown Sean Brown Joseph Brown Sr. 8. TRIPPLE PLAY.................36.05 Fountain/Mercury Rusty Kennedy 9. REEL HAWG...................35.80 Fountain/Mercury Karlton Norton Jeff Phillips Darrell Solley Grover Starratt 10. CREWS N II OUTBOARD............35.30 Regulator/Yamaha James Crews Jim Tuten Billy Roberts
Final Standings: Top 10 Aggregate (Two Day Total, One Fish Per Day)
1. ATTITUDE ADJUSTER...........68.40 Wellcraft/Mercury David Murphy Jim Davis Bob Townsend Kevin Murphy 2. * FISHBUSTER.........................67.30 ProLine/Yamaha Robert Bishop, Jr. Wendell Nolan Ricky Bishop Kristen Bishop 3. BLUE RUNNER.......................65.00 Intrepid/Yamaha Steve Lucie 4. MONEY EATER.....................64.75 Contender/Yamaha Charles Mardant Randy Mardant	5. Knot Workin.....................63.55 6. OCEAN WAVES.........................60.15 Dakota/Mercury Fred Carlson Kevin Carlson Tim Shea John Shea Bob Parrish 7. Half Steppin............................57.55 8. GRAVY TRAIN.........................57.15 Contender/Yamaha Henry Bishop Tony Harrison Frank DeLoach Johnny Jones 9. Miss Becky......................55.80 10. Fishing Machine..................55.80

 

WAL JO BESTS THE FLEET AT NASSAU
by Sam White
Fernandina Beach, FL
July 27, 2001

It's always a good sign to see a boat waiting for the scales to open during a tournament, especially one that's full of SKA members. That was the case at the recent Nassau Sportfishing Club/Fernandina Beach High School's Tournament of Champions. Waldemar Sanchez and Jimmy Espinoza were waiting patiently for the two o'clock opening on Day One with a nice kingfish aboard the Wal Jo, a Mercury-powered SportCraft. When asked where he boated the fish, Sanchez replied that he wasn't really sure. "We left from St. Simons and started fishing a little while later," he said. "The fish hit a small ribbonfish in really shallow water, that's about all I know. We didn't even know how to get here up the waterway!" Sanchez weighed the fish and was understandably elated to learn that it tugged the scales all the way down to 38.15 pounds. He would lead throughout the tournament. Armed with a new chart of the area that he purchased from the Fernandina Marina, Sanchez was now able to safely navigate his way back to the marina from which he launched. Although several other teams would put good fish on the scoreboard, none would top his. For their efforts, the team took home a beautiful tournament green Sea Pro boat, fully rigged with Yamaha outboards, offered as the event's top prize. With two events still on the slate for Division Five, that kingfish now puts the Wal Jo in contention for a bid in the SKA's National Championship at the end of the year. The top fifteen boats in the Overall class as well as the top ten in the Class of 23 will receive invitations to the big show.

Steve Thompson is certainly on a roll this year, having placed well in several Florida events so far. Thomson, fishing with wife Ronda and George Bowser, put his 21 foot Wellcraft, Sea Snake, into second place in Fernandina. Thompson nailed a 37.3 to take the runner up spot as well as first in the SKA's Class of 23 for the tournament. Small boats continue to be very competitive in Division Five this year, and this is one of them that's doing great so far. "We fished a little live bottom spot offshore of the Red Tops," Thompson said later. "I'm looking forward to Fort Pierce." He gave the tournament leaders a bit of a scare when he prepared to weigh in, but fell just short of the mark. Kevin Faulk's Down Time was third in the tournament, followed by Russ Russell on the Credit Line. Reel Grinder, a Mercury-powered Contender 21 captained by Mike Dousman, rounded out the top five. Dousman and new SKA member Mike Gore are also in contention for a National Championship invitation, having scored second in the SKA's small boat class for the tournament.

Andrew Seeker on the Fish Seeker boat also won big in Fernandina, thanks to a special promotion offered by SKA CEO Sid Steverson. He put up $1000 to the team that weighed in a kingfish closest to thirty pounds without going over, stipulating that everyone aboard must be SKA Competition members. Seeker and fishing partner Jimmy Hubbs scaled a 29.45, good enough for eighth place as well as the extra bonus from the SKA.

As always, Tournament Director Chuck Tuell put on another outstanding event this season to benefit the Fernandina Beach High School, among other community charities. The tournament continues to grow in size and popularity, and the commitment by the sponsors continues to grow as well. If you've never fished a North Florida tournament, definitely give this one a shot next year, as Tuell promised even bigger and better things in store.

 

Final Standings

1. WAL JO......................38.15 SportCraft/Mercury Waldemar A. Sanchez Jimmy Espinoza 2. * SEA SNAKE.............37.3 Wellcraft/Mercury Steve Thompson Ronda Thompson George Bowser 3. DOWN TIME..............36.45 Chris Craft/Johnson Kevin Faulk 4. CREDIT LINE...............35.6 Contender/Yamaha Russ Russell Hobart Joost Jimmy Shoalar 5. * REEL GRINDER..............30.55 Contender/Mercury Mike Dousman Mark Gore

6. REEL HAWG.............30.5 Fountain/Mercury Karlton Norton Jeff Phillips Grover Starratt Darrell Solley Allison Perkins 7. BULLET PROOF..................30.3 Wellcraft/Mercury Chris Nelson Steve Duke Kim Nelson 8. * FISH SEEKER......................29.45 Wellcraft/Mercury Andrew Seeker Jimmy Hubbs 9. BACKLASH........................29.15 Mako/Yamaha Kenny Murray Cliff Murray Mike Blackerby Kendra Blackerby 10. REBECCA ANN....................29.05 Fountain/Yamaha Frank Strickland Marty Rowland Rex Onea

 

SEA DUTY TAKES IT ALL AT TFC
by Sam White
Photography and Interviews by John Zalud, Sr.
July 3, 2001

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL -- Rey Marin has been competing on the SKA's Mercury Tournament Trail for several seasons now, but that major win has always seemed to be just out of reach of Marin and the Sea Duty team. No longer. Marin and company walked away from the Tournament Fisherman's Championship, held out of Beach Marine in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with the win over a 170 boat fleet. Weather conditions were perfect for tournament fishing, light winds and calm seas throughout the weekend, so the competitors could run where they thought a winner might be found. Marin and his team of Floyd Alexander and Scott Russ headed some sixty miles south of Jacksonville after baiting up at a secret location. "Finding quality bait was really the key for us this weekend," Marin reported to John Zalud at the dock. The Sea Duty, a Mercury-powered Fountain 31, was at the weigh in dock just after 1:30PM waiting for the scales to open at four with their smoker aboard. "He might go forty," Marin hoped. He would be disappointed to learn that the fish would only pull the scales down to 37.15 pounds, but it would be enough for the win. He also thanked Mercury and Fountain, saying that the speed and range of the 31 helped throughout the tournament weekend. The team trailered home a new ProLine 21 for the win.

The TFC adopted an aggregate format for second place, which fell to the very consistent River Marine team of Charlie Lyons and Keith Seagars on another Mercury-powered Fountain 31. Lyons wound up the weekend with a two fish aggregate score of 62.40 pounds, anchored by their big fish of 32.75 pounds. This was enough to earn them a 200 horsepower Yamaha outboard motor. The River Marine team had difficulty locating bait on Day One, so they resorted to using a dead Spanish mackerel once they arrived at their spot some twenty miles south of Daytona Beach. They boated their 29 pounder on the first day, then headed back to the same spot on Day Two looking for bigger and better kingfish. Their 32 pound king hit a double whitebait rig. After a brief battle, Lyons gaffed the fish and immediately headed for the scales at Beach Marine, hoping to bring home the aggregate prize, which he did with ease.

Steve Thompson on the Sea Snake placed third in the TFC event, also topping the SKA's Class of 23 aboard his 21-foot Wellcraft. Thompson caught the fish on the second day of the tournament after cast netting greenies for bait in the inlet. With plenty of bait aboard, the Sea Snake headed for the Red Tops, an infamous "big king" location. Their 36.95 pound king would be good for third as well as helping the team immensely in the points race in Division Five. With one more good king on his side of the board, the team can start preparing for a National Championship run come November in Ft. Pierce.

Michael and Justin Scalio followed in fourth place aboard the Augie Doggie, a Mercury-powered ProLine 23. They nailed a 34.80 to put another 23-footer in the top five. John Westbrooke and Mike Stevens aboard the Clif's Edge continue to catch good kings, having finished in the top five at the Kingbuster 400. They landed a 33.55 at the TFC to round out the top five here as well. As always, when the weather cooperates, small boats can be just as competitive as their larger brethren in tournament competition.

 

Final Standings

1. SEA DUTY..................37.15 Fountain/Mercury Rey Marin Floyd Alexander Scott Russ 2. RIVER MARINE.....................32.75/29.65 (62.40) Fountain/Mercury Charlie Lyons Keith Seagers 3. * SEA SNAKE...................36.95 Wellcraft/Johnson Steve Thompson Ronda Thompson 4. * AUGIE DOGGIE...................34.80 ProLine/Mercury Michael Scalio Justin Scalio 5. *CLIF'S EDGE.....................33.55 HydraSports/Johnson John Westbrooke Mike Stevens

6. Snappa Head...................32.65 7. REEL ROGUE....................32.55 Wellcraft/Mercury James Holland James Thompson 8. Fugitive............................32.10 9. JR'S DREAM.....................31.10 Wellcraft/Johnson Jake Fulmer, Jr. Marcus Whiddon Ray Pasukinski David Lenhart Shawn Tracy 10. FISHTASTIC.......................30.90 Whitewater/Johnson Craig Sutton

SKA WELLCRAFT TOP JUNIOR ANGLER Jennifer Lands, Crawfish

 

CLIF'S EDGE TOPS SKA FLEET AT KINGBUSTER 400
Small Boats Dominate Tournament
by Sam White
June 21, 2001

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL--The Mercury/Donzi Kingbuster 400 Classic continues to be one of the showcase tournaments on the SKA's Tournament Trail, and the 2001 Classic was no exception. A combination of a well-organized tournament, held in the nation's oldest city, with big kings found right off the beach, all hosted by three time SKA Top Angler of the Year Dave Workman--it's a winner. This season's tournament featured several small boats in the event's top spot, which is also a testament to the good fishing found well within range of the 400 boat fleet. Unfortunately, the winners of the tournament forgot to sign up for their points for the event. Their 41.60 pound kingfish was caught aboard a 22-foot HydraSports, though. John Westbrooke captained the Clif's Edge, another small HydraSports, to the tournament's top SKA spot among registered members, finishing third overall. "Bait was kind of hard to come by, so we had to go with what we had," Westbrooke reported. "Fishing was slow off Matanzas, just a couple small kings during the day." He said their biggest fish of the day hit a ribbonfish on the downrigger for angler Mike Stevens, who proceeded to battle the king for the next 25 minutes. "He hit around 2:15 in the afternoon," Westbrooke said later. "And as slow as the fishing had been, we decided to come on in with it." The team also wanted to thank their sponsors for their support throughout the season: Aqua One Well and Pump, Atlantic Automotive, Haney Lawn Service and NAPA Auto Parts.

Mike McRae and the Dr. Hook team finished the tournament in fifth place and were the next highest finishing SKA-registered team. "We found some jumbo pogies at Salt Run, big as your shoe, so we didn't want to run very far before fishing," McRae reported. The team headed for the Captain's House, a beach landmark that normally holds some sizable kingfish. "We hooked up after only about 20 minutes of fishing," McRae said, "and the fish was iced down in the bag by 8:20 or so." Shortly after boating their 35.70 pound king, the team hooked up again with an even larger fish that hit a propwash bait and spit the hooks just as quickly. The Clif's Edge, a Mercury-powered Cape Horn, would have to settle for fifth overall. This is the team's third season fishing the SKA circuit, and they're already looking forward to a shot at the Nationals later this season.

Kelly Siske and the Team X Stream were the next-highest SKA team in sixth place. Siske and the team, running a Yamaha-powered Contender, boated a 33.90 during the Kingbuster. They now have one good fish on their side of the ledger for a spot in the Nationals as well.

Even as fuel prices continue to rise, the demand also seems to be on the increase as well. Tournament director Workman reported that all three major marinas in the St. Augustine area ran out of fuel after the first day of competition, with many boats taking on better than 300 gallons at a time.

Final Standings

1. * Wound Tight............41.60 2. Uncle Roy...............40.30 3. * CLIF'S EDGE............36.50 HydraSports/Johnson John Westbrooke Mike Stevens Mike Colee 4. No Name...............36.40 5. DR. HOOK................35.70 Cape Horn/Mercury Mike McRae David Henson 6. Team Fountain....................34.70

7. TEAM X STREAM...............33.90 Contender/Yamaha Kelly Siske Billy Carothers Sean Raulerson Jimmy Conroy 8. LINEWINDER.......................33.60 HydraSports/Mercury Billy Crabtree Todd Crawford 9. WHOPPER STOPPER................32.90 Wellcraft/Mercury Patsy Stancil Conrad Lau Paul Jordan Bubba Kight Kathy Glisson 10. STOCK OPTIONS.................32.20 Fountain/Mercury Richard Henley Rick Henley