Ocean Isle, North Carolina - Billy and Mark Emmart, SKA members since its inception, added another notch to their king fishing credits winning the popular Fall Brawl Kingfish Classic. It didn’t hurt either that they picked up nearly twenty thousand dollars to stoke their coffers.

The Moon Doggie team, fishing a Yamaha powered Contender and sponsored by them and their local dealer, Power Marine Outfitters, scaled a super forty-one pound king. “We fished an area we knew and had seen others catch good fish earlier in the week there,” explained Billy. “It’s a good area to fish at this time of year.”

The duo fished in fifteen to forty feet moving in and out. Weather conditions were not the best. “Fishing was pretty slow and winds were out of the northeast blowing twenty to twenty five. It was sloppy,” Billy added. “We had a couple of kings, a Spanish, a few sharks, and an AJ.”

Using pogies and ribbonfish, the forty-one skied ten feet in the air about half way back. Billy skillfully brought him to Mark’s waiting gaff. “She was an easy catch only lasting about fifteen minutes,” he said. “We wanted to go to the Nationals and now we can go.”

Congratulations! You’re the best.

Ricky Byrd’s Sea Byrd, a Yamaha powered Sailfish, garnered second place honors with a 38.55. Fishing with Ricky was Brian Matthews, Will Richardson, and Danny Matthews.

“The first place we stopped produced only sharks,” said Byrd. “We were forced to move to Yaupon Reef. At noon she hit a pogy on the surface. That king took out over three hundred yards of monofilament in less than a minute. Brian picked up the rod and brought her to within gaff range in twenty minutes. Will got her in the boat.”

At the scale they found out their fish qualified for second place. “It’s the biggest king we’ve caught in a tournament in our two year stint with the SKA.” Byrd enthusiastically added. They pocketed $6600 plus Ginny Matthews picked up Top Lady honors.

Finishing third was Yamaha Pro Tour veteran Randy Spainhour. Randy and James Gunther weighed a 35.25 fishing their Yamaha powered Wellcraft named Steel Fishing. As the format for the event calls for fishing either Saturday or Sunday, Randy was one of only seventeen teams who elected to fish Saturday.  They caught their fish early using a bluefish from a kite at Lighthouse Rocks. At the end of day one they were on top of the leader board and earned $4300 for their efforts. Good job, Randy, but I never knew you were a kite fisherman. Randy was also the events Top Senior Angler.

The Russ’s, Toby, Andy, and Rusty’s 32.90 was good for fourth place. Fishing the Mr. Goodhands, a Yamaha powered Century, they fished the Lockwood Folly Inlet. “Wasn’t much to it,” said Toby. “She came at nine forty-five eating our triple rigged pogyies out of the prop wash. I had the rod while she made one long blistering run, then she just rolled up on top. I think it was the fact we picked a good area that usually produces a good king. Local knowledge helps a lot.”

The Goodhands is a highly skilled team who limits mistakes. They’ve been fishing SKA events since 1955 and are certainly one of the most consistent teams fishing today!

Terry and Jake Godwin picked up sixth with a nice 31.35. The Evinrude powered Hydra Sports team named Rawhide is certainly not a stranger to top ten finishes.

Eighth place fell to Brett and Alan Barnes on Hot Rod with a 29.50 while David and Danny Gore earned tenth with a 28.65. They fish Top Choice.

SKA teams did not fare well in Class of 23. The best this weekend was Kevin O’Neale and Michele Stroud on In 2 Deep who earned third. However they will be remembered more for their twelfth place finish overall.  They have had a really great season earning third overall in Division Nine’s Class of 23 and second in Division Three.

Once again Brant and his team did a great job on this event. Stop by soon at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center and personally thank him. I know he’d appreciate it!