St. Augustine, Florida - B.J. Pearson was a happy dude as he posed for pictures at the Kingfish Coffin after being proclaimed the winner of the 14th Annual Kingfish Challenge. Hosted by the Ancient City Gamefish Association, B.J.’s 46.10 caught on the first day of the event was certainly a tribute to his In The Moment team and the great event.

B.J. told me after placing the big king back into the coffin, “It was Joe Arnold who caught our winner. We were fishing in 100 feet of water 45 miles from the St. Augustine Municipal Marina.”  B.J went on, “I like fishing a ribbonfish way back. We were fishing one back around nine o’clock, but it had a tangle so we brought it in and as we were putting it back out she hit. Joe did a great job and when she came next to the boat I stuck her.”

This was B.J.’s first win in their new Mercury powered Yellowfin. He and Joe, plus Carolyn Williams, also fish the Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tour. They won the Ancient City event’s top prize of $15,000.

Now before you e-mail me, B.J.’s fish was a 46.10. Looking at the picture you’ll say “no way.” It is, you see B.J. is about six eight and weighs nearly 400 pounds and it looks like all muscle. He dwarfs the big king. He told me that he had shot a trophy buck a few years back, but when a sports writer saw the picture he questioned the authenticity of the size of the buck. B.J. says he’s used to it.

Kenny Crawford won some more money this weekend earning second place with a 40.95. Remember he won the opening event, the Kingbuster, in Division 5. Then he got a small paycheck in Fernandina, the second tournament in the Division.

Fishing with Cindy Farlow, Bill Walsh, and Al Morris on the Yamaha powered Contender, The AT & T Real Yellow Pages, they worked the beach in the afternoon of the first day of the two-day event.

“We were in 45 feet of water when she hit a goggle eye off the downrigger,” Kenny elaborated. “We were fishing in deeper water but we were running out of bait and had to come to the beach. When the fish hit, I picked up the rod but then gave it to Al who did a really good job.”

Even though Kenny and company are fishing the Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tour, they aren’t giving up on their home Division, Five. They have always done extremely well here and this year is no exception. The AT&T team is leading the open class with a 123.12 three fish aggregate. Look at the stats over the years, 119.34 in ’06, 117.53 in ’07, and 126.56 in ’08. But there are still two events left and anything can happen. Just don’t bet against them!

Third place fell to David and Adam Howard on the Hooked For Reel with a nice 39.65. The Yamaha powered Yellowfin team ran south to Daytona and fished in 70 feet of water, “We got her at 1:30 with a goggle eye on the surface,” David explained. “We just wanted to get away from the pack and we knew this place should work.”

Hooked For Reel was a regular till this year on the Pro Tour. “My son Cory is playing golf and doing real well. He was a team member but right now he’s concentrating on golf, which I’m one hundred percent behind him and so is Adam. We’ll probably be back on the Tour next year but it will be just Adam and myself.”

Fourth place fell to Ray Green and Mike Pepper on the Mercury powered MidOcean named Free Spoolin. “We caught her at the Red Tops shortly after noon,” said Green. “It never acted like a big fish and we never really knew what we had till she was next to the boat.” The fish went 38.65, a real good fish for this weekend. Green went on to explain, “She ate a double pogy rig on the surface and Mike brought her to the boat.”

That fish probably was what they needed to get them to the Nationals. They now have a two fish aggregate of 66.85 pounds. A 25 in either Jacksonville or St. Marys will seal the deal.

Rounding out the top five was Rob Cripe fishing the Reel Tight, a Mercury powered Sea Pro. Rob scaled a nice 36.85. It was the first fish he has weighed this year but it was certainly a good one. Another one like this and he’ll move up into the top ten.

Sixth thru eighth place went to non-members. Why anyone would not join the SKA if for no other reason than to get his or her recognition for a money place finish is beyond me.

Ninth place went to Dan Shore on the Four Shore, a Mercury powered Donzi. They now find themselves in 16th place with a two fish aggregate of 63.35 thanks to this weekend’s 34.65.

Dan, Jeff Parsons, Brandon Shore, and Emily Shore, who was the top SKA junior, plus the Mercury Scholarship winner, have two events left this season to scale one more fish and qualify for the Championship. They will succeed.

The Price’s, Tim, Chase, and Bob rounded out the top ten with a 33.60. They fish a Mercury powered Boston Whaler and are really in the Class of 23 however 10th place paid more than second place Class of 23. Great job guys!

The Wanda’s Diamonds team, Leroy Kinlaw, Mike Colee, and Randy Guy, weighed a 33.45 to earn eleventh and move into first place in overall standings in the Class of 23. Leroy has been a good friend over the years but has sat out fishing the last couple of years to get his catering business, L&W Catering, up and running. He has proven he has not lost his touch. Or it could be his partners Mike and Randy, are holding him up? Who cares, I just know it’s working!

Jim Scharfschwerdt and Tommy Mulligan have certainly made a name for themselves fishing the Yamaha powered Donzi, Wound Tight / FishboatLoans.Com. In their hometown event they earned 12th with a 33.10. They too fish the Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tour.

Deedo Nelson and Danny Tompkins fished the Catch Ya Later into 13th with a 32.80 while Reel Addiction’s Mike and Melissa Senior, Clayton Fridell, John Garnto, and Courtney Scharfschwerdt  earned 14th with a 32.80.

The final spot on the leader board went to John and Barbara Adcox on the Barbara Ann with a 32.15.

The top two spots in the Class of 23 went to non-members. Badsport was third with a 31.50. Ben Hinson, Nick Hinson, and Chris Anthony, fish the team.

Division 5 is the biggest Division in SKA competition. This season is as challenging as those in the past. After three events 25th place in the open class is 46.44 held by Team Salt life / Foul Hooker. In the Class of 23, 20th place is 29.50.

Good luck in Greater Jacksonville and St. Mary’s.