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‘Bout Time is 2005 King of the Cape by Barrett McMullan

The Old Yacht Basin in Southport, NC served as the backdrop for the 2005 King of the Cape Classic. Kingfish teams hailing from various ports and inland residence gathered for the second out of four events in Division 2, which is one of the SKA’s most challenging and competitive divisions on the trail. Southeastern North Carolina has long been a breeding ground for some of the best kingfish teams on the circuit. Multiple National Champions and Anglers of the Year have honed their skills in these waters. Yet for this particular weekend amidst the heavy competition that king fishermen are so used to from this area, only one team could be crowned the 2005 King of the Cape.

Bob Watson and Terry Schonick of the ‘Bout Time fishing team have not been fishing tournaments together long, but they proved on this occasion that sometimes things are just meant to be. Departing the dock at 5:00 a.m. with the first mission of finding fresh pogies on their mind, Bob and Terry were eagerly anticipating the fishing day that lay ahead. Bait was located just as planned near Sunny Point inside the Cape Fear River. Bob and Terry had decided before the season even began that this year they were “fishing to win” rather than just going for good points fish. This led the team to starting the day at Carolina Beach inlet where there are typically a few big fish caught, but not typically a red-hot bite. After two hours of fishing with little action except for a few annoying shark bites Bob and Terry got the word that a bite of big fish had occurred early that morning at a spot known as the 30/30 about 18 miles offshore from where they sat. Off to the 30/30 raced the 29’ Fountain hoping to get in on the tail end of the bite. Upon arrival they found the scene fairly desolate with no bow riders in sight. Terry reported the crowd being spread out nicely so that trolling was never in tight quarters. Just after deploying their spread of four live pogies the wind laid down and Terry decided to put out a fifth line with a dead cigar minnow on the way back line. When he did this, he also dropped the downrigger with a pogy on it close to the bottom. A few minutes later the downrigger rod bent down as line creaked off. Several minutes after the bite a 14-pound grouper came to the surface and dinner was secured. While sorting out the grouper situation not really paying attention to the rest of the spread, the dead cigar minnow on the long line erupted as line poured from the reel. The smoker on the other end ran hard and long. As line disappeared off the reel at a frantic pace Terry shouted to Bob to get going and get on top of the fish. The fish was making a B-line for a recreational boater who apparently did not understand the severity of the situation. Bob steered the ‘Bout Time within feet of the other boat as the fish circled underneath. Finally the message was understood and the other boat moved from the area. Terry angled the fish into sight where they could see the fish far below the surface in the clear water. At 12:30 p.m. the fish made his last death circle and Bob Watson buried the gaff in the mossy back. A well-deserved celebration followed and then an attempt to regain composure was made. The decision was reached to head for the scales with a solid day’s work already in the bag. At the scales the final weight announced was 42.70-pounds good enough for the lead and the win. This was the ‘Bout Time’s first big win.

The Carroll clan featuring Captain Greg and Tony and their boys Bryant and Daniel aboard the Dig It boat made their annual showing on the leaderboard. They too caught bait around Sunny Point in the Cape Fear River but not until around 7:00 a.m. Like the ‘Bout Time they headed straight for Carolina Beach inlet. Within 30 minutes the Dig It team put a 16-pounder in the bag. Confident they were in the right spot Greg and crew trolled on keeping the baits in top form. At 10:30 a.m. between the last set of cans and the sea buoy in 32-feet of water their hard work was rewarded. Amongst 30 boats a pogy trolled behind the 36’ Contender was annihilated. A quick 200 yards of line screamed from the reel Greg was holding as Tony followed anxiously with the boat and Daniel and Bryant cleared the deck. When the second solid run came the team knew they had a good fish. A 25-minute battle ensued before the exhausted fish rolled up and presented a perfect gaff shot for Tony. Pleased with their effort thus far but not satisfied, the team fished until the last minute never getting another bite. At the scales when the weigh-master announced 33.75 pounds, putting the team into second place. Greg was shocked. He and the crew were pleasantly surprised as the fish exceeded their guesses by a long shot. For their effort the Dig It took second place in the tournament and SKA as well as Top Junior Angler status for Daniel and Bryant.

The SKA’s third place team was the fifth place overall tournament finisher and the top 23’ and under team and had the Top Lady Angler on board. Bryan Sealy and Jonathan Morton joined Jeff McDonald and wife Kim on tournament day. All the hard work and preparation that went into this event for the Undertaker team was quickly rewarded. As a matter of fact 30 minutes after fishing began they could have gone home and taken a nap and ended up the same. Early that morning fresh pogies were located around Snow’s Cut near Carolina Beach. From there it was off to the Dredge Wreck where they hoped to find an early morning smoker. Their hopes became reality when at 6:15 a.m. a beautiful kingfish skied on a surface trolled pogy. John Morton was on the rod for what seemed like an eternity, a 40-minute fight. Captain Jeff steered his 23’ Palmetto in the direction of the fast moving kingfish before a patient Bryan Sealy could sink the gaff. At 7:00 a.m. the fish was in the bag and lines were already redeployed. A very long and anxious day of fishing followed as the Undertaker team would not get another bite. When the scales opened the team packed it up and weighed their 32.15-pounder.

A good weather forecast and a good reputation as being a fishermen friendly event led to a great turnout for the 2005 King of the Cape Classic. Captain Jerry Dilsaver of the NC Sportsman magazine did his typical superb job of running the event, which will show by increased participation in next year’s event. In addition to a cast net contest and a pinfish fishing tournament for kids, this event has been and continues to be a fun yet lucrative tournament for all contestants. Money received from the fish sales have been donated to the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association.