Capt Judy Helmey, Savannah, Fishing report 11-20
Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
Captain Judys email fishjudy2@aol.com
November 21, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Saltwater Inshore, Offshore, Blue Water fishing reports, Freshies Suggestions, and Little Miss Judys Believe It or Not story! Thanks for Reading!
Table of Contents
Recreational Fishing Alliance JOIN NOW!
2012 INSHORE and OFFSHORE FISHING CLINICS Dates have been set
Red Fish and their friends!
Suggestions for fishing inshore on Thanksgiving Day!!
Stripers and Wipers Season!
Inshore Flounder bite
Lots of action to be had at the Artificial Reefs
Savannah Snapper Banks Fishing with Steve Howell at the Savannah Snapper Banks
Savannah Snapper Banks Catching/keeping Dilemma
Blue Water Report Meet the X TA SEA blue water fishing team November 12, 2011
Freshies Report Corey holding a nice steel head!
Little Miss Judys Believe It or Not! A Thanksgiving story The child cheater!
If you want to keep doing this, JOIN NOW!!!!!
Recreational Fishing Alliance
Captain Kathy Brown of Miss Judy Charters is holding up a nice gag grouper, which was caught at the Savannah Snapper Banks!!
Recreational Fishing Alliance
POB 98263
Washington, DC 20077-7581
Call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit http://www.joinrfa.org/
I am willing to fight for my right to fish .Heres what I like about this organization .their stated mission is To safeguard the rights of Saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat, and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our nations saltwater fisheries!
Please join the RFA today! A one year membership is only $ 35.00! Just Do It!
http://www.joinrfa.org/About_Us.htm
2012 INSHORE and OFFSHORE FISHING CLINICS
Dates have been set
Our newly revised inshore handout material is going to be considered priceless! We are going to give you the best times to fish for what, when, and where for the entire year of 2012.
Any inshore fisherman that is considering going offshore they need to attend my offshore class. For more details scroll down
One Inshore School
Saturday February 4, 2012
One Offshore School
Saturday February 11, 2012
Time: 8:00AM 2:00 PM
Place: Tubbys Tank House 2909 River Drive, Thunderbolt, Georgia 31404
Cost: $ 90.00 (included one day class, breakfast, and lunch)
Please call 912 897 4921 now for reservations
Please sign up as soon as possible! There is limited entry!
Capt Judys email fishjudy2@aol.com
Capt Judys Cell 912 429 7671
For more detailed information go to
www.missjudycharters.com OR GIVE US A CALL 912 897 4921
To sign up just give us a call or email fishjudy2@aol.com and we will put you on the list. After the first of the year we will contact to check the status! Thanks and hope to hear from you soon! Captain Judy
Red Fish and their friends!
Red fish catching if good!
During this time inshore fishermen get the chance at finding a really good red fish bite. The secret is to approach your fishing area and anchor up quietly, look for red fish swirls, and then just wait for the fish to come to you. It can be somewhat of a waiting game, but once you get this sequence down hook ups, fights, and red fish bites can happen!
Suggestions for fishing inshore on Thanksgiving Day!!
Captain Ray Crawley of Miss Judy Charters holding up a couple of nice spotted sea trout
Happy Thanksgiving Day and if you have time to fish ..
For those inshore fishermen that have time to GO FISH on Thanksgiving Day morning it would be a good time to take advantage of the out going tide stage and still be home in time for that traditional dinner. The trout bite has been pretty good with fishermen catching some nice fish while using traditional adjustable corks and live shrimp. Its simple because it works.
Stripers and Wipers Season!
Striped bass season is ON
When the water temperatures cool the striped bass also known as rock fish start making some real good feeding moves. The Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers have been known for holding the attentions of this fish. Live shrimp or peanut menhaden presented under traditional float rigs floated around structure is a very good way to get one of these big fish hooked up!
Inshore Flounder bite
Captain Matt Williams of Miss Judy Charters is holding up two nice soon to be crispy scored flounder.
Its that time of the year when fishing for red fish and spotted sea trout you get what is called a flounder by-catch bite! This just means the flounder are bulking up too while getting ready for the cold water times. The secret to hooking up a flounder is to give them time to eat before setting the hook 1,000, 1,001, 1,002 count comes to mind!
Lots of action to be had at the Artificial Reefs
2011 Sheepshead season is upon us
The month of November has always been a maybe find a Sheepshead bite at the artificial reefs kind of month. I would like to report that some of the smaller Sheepshead has made way to these areas. However, until the water temperature get a little cooler the Sheepshead bite will be mixed in with black sea bass, flounder, blue fish, pig fish, and lots of other smaller hungry fish. However, these bites are still is a lot of fun when using light tackle!!
Savannah Snapper Banks
Fishing with Steve Howell at the Savannah Snapper Banks
Steve Howell, Captain De Dar, and Captain Judy
Tuesday November 15, 2011
Steve Howell is one of Miss Judy Charters long time friend and good customers. Steve knows how to catch fish even under the strangest conditions.
Secret Spot Number One
Black, white and brown ledge
This particular ledge holds a lot of black sea bass and gags. As you know the black sea bass season for keeping is closed until June 2012. And of course, to get pass the enormous amounts of black fish we had to use real big live baits, which we did. Now back to the situation of the fish day .
Tuesday November 15, 2011
Although seas were calm and the temperatures were mild we just couldnt get the fish to come to grips with our hooks. Once arriving at secret fishing spot number one, Black, white, and Brown Ledge, we dropped in prefect size live baits looking for a big gag hit. Steve and I (Captain Judy) fished together keeping the baits right on the ledge. Since the tide was not raging it wasnt hard to keep the baits in the strike zone. However, some times such as this one we couldnt get a serious hit. We had a few pass bys, which did scale our bait, but we had no big gag slams. After about an hour of working up, down, around, and under this ledge it was time to throw in the towel in and make a move.
Secret Spot Number Two
The Ditches
This is area seems to be completely flat at least when looking at it from surface to bottom with the old fish finder. When the fish that are hiding in this large ditch you cant see them and it looks as though the bottom area is flat. However, when the larger fish are up and feeding you mark lots of fish. The bottom line to this area is if the fish are in the ditch, which means not feeding it can be a waiting game. As luck would have it or maybe it was planned about 30 minutes after arriving we got fish! I started marking single large fish up and swimming about. On our third drop Steve hooked up and caught a nice genuine red snapper, which fought all the way to the surface.
Captain Deidra Jeffcoat and Steve Howell are showing off a large genuine snapper. This fish hit medium size ruby red lips while bottom fishing at the Savannah Snapper Banks.
After landing this big snapper I showed Steve the fish finder and we both put our thumbs up. It looked like a target rich environment to the both of us. On the fourth drift we didnt have a hit. When into the fifth drift Steve got hit hard and he said, Now thats a gag for sure! And as you can see it definitely was. We were all excited knowing that we might catch a few more nice fish. I set up for drift number six, we dropped our baits, and it wasnt a second before we both got hooked up. As soon as we started to reel we looked at each other and said shark. If you have fished long enough and get the opportunity to catch different kinds of fish you can get where you can Call the Ball! No its not pool! Its where you can identify the fish on the hook way before seeing it.
Steve Howell and Captain Judy are holding up a nice gag grouper, which was caught while fishing the Ditches!
Brown Shark, which was the last fish that Steve Howell landed before we my way home!!
Sharks invade the Ditches!
It was true; both of us had sharks and not small ones either. We caught some of the largest Atlantic Sharpnose Shark that I have seen in a while. Then it stared to rain. It rained pretty hard for about 20 minutes. So we drifted around waiting for the clouds to pass with hopes that the sharks would make a move away from the area. However, after a few more passes we both knew that the hand writing was on the wall. We had what is called a shark feeding frenzy going on down below. When this happens fish that were up and feeding are now being either fed upon or herded to the protection of the ditch.
Summary for the day bait scenario!
Fishing at the Savannah Snapper Banks especially when the black sea bass and vermillion snapper season is closed can be difficult especially if you want to keep some fish. The ledges that I did fish were either covered with large hump back black sea bass or foot ball size vermillion. With this situation I suggest that you use the largest live baits that you can catch. Heres a list of what is best to use: Large rock bass, sand perch, scup, blue fish, ruby red lips, vermilion, pin fish, and blue runners. These bait need to be on the large size. The nervous bait such as cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, horse eye jacks, and others that dont have air bladders will work. However, getting these baits pass the hungry mouths of the large black sea bass and foot size vermilion nines times out of ten is not going to happen!
Savannah Snapper Banks Catching/keeping Dilemma
I am not going to lie, but planning a trip to this area might be a mistake. With all black sea bass season, vermilion season, and red snapper closed leaving grouper and a few others open you could find yourself coming home with only a few keeper fish. Grouper season closes January through end of April. The bottom line is this: if you want to catch and keep I suggest waiting to make a Savannah Snapper Banks trip any time after May 1, 2012. Black sea bass will or should open on June 1, 2012.
Heres the thing about my job now! It used to be all about fishing and catching fish. Now its more about when you can go to be able to keep what you catch. Now for those that like to catch and release big bottom fish, now is the time to make your plans to do this kind of trip. The genuine red snapper populations are busting at the seams!!! The vermilion and black sea bass bite is awesome making almost any drop to the bottom a guaranteed hook up!! Grouper season is open until the last day of December. While doing all this catching and releasing you just might catch a nice grouper that you can keep!!!
Blue Water Report
Meet the X TA SEA blue water fishing team
November 12, 2011
You know the old saying, A picture can be worth over a 1,000 words! In the case of these pictures sent to me by one of Savannahs favorite blue water teams X TA SEA would be more about pounds than words.
As you can see from the pictures in this report the team had a very busy day catching tunas and Wahoo. I am always saying, If you dont go you wont know! Well, now you know its time to go, thanks to this blue water team.
Check out the stripes on this just caught YAHOO WAHOO!!!
The end! Now its time to go catch fish!!!
Freshies report
Corey holding a nice steel head!
For those fishermen that want to GO FISH LAKE LANIER
Bill Vanderford is Lake Laniers Legend!
For more about my long time friend Bill Vanderford as well as his accomplishments, his freshwater charter trips or wildlife tours, books written and his special line up of tackle offered, please visit his site http://www.fishinglanier.com/contact.html for all the details! For more details go http://stores.ebay.com/Fishy-Racer http://www.youtube.com/fishyracer www.cafepress.com/grapefruitshop
Little Miss Judys Believe It or Not!
Captain Sherman I. Helmey and his sister Mrs. Hattie Zipperer
A Thanksgiving story The child cheater!
My Aunt Hattie, which was my fathers older sister always cooked the best Thanksgiving dinner! Her cooking abilities were unbelievable. She would cook along with the help of Bertha doing almost everything from scratch. Aunt Hatties Thanksgiving dinners took days to prepare. In fact during my younger years, if Im not mistaken, all ingredients including the bird was raised or grown on her big farm. However, the fruit that she used to make that unbelievable ambrosia was probably purchased from a stand right out there on Highway 17. I know that the pecans that went into this particular dish were picked from the farm, because quite often I helped with the gathering.
Bertha always worked with my Aunt for a long as I can remember. She was always there to help with the Thanksgiving Day cooking bonanza. I was always interested in how they made everything look and taste so good. Her personally grown vegetables were always the prefect vegetable color. They baked a coconut cake that was 6 tears high. It never leaned or anything. The bad news is I wasnt always around for the mixing of the cake, because this is one bowl I would have loved to lick. However, my aunt had this kitchen utensil that I later called a child cheater. This reason was a simple one. Whenever I happened to be around when baking she used this utensil and it would remove almost all of the tasty ingredients from the walls of the mixing bowl. There was always a little left, which was just enough to get a little taste.
The turkey was always browned to perfection. Her secret was certainly a one of a kind in my book. She cooked the turkey in a brown grocery bag. The bird was put in the bag much like you would have put one in a state of the art plastic browning in bag. The drums always stuck out a little, but not enough to let them be exposed to direct heat. There was another weird cooking method that I had seen when I was even younger. The turkey was wrapped in a sort of gauze that pretty much look like first aid bandage material. When cooked the bird also came out golden brown with skin and everything. However, when it was first put in the oven it looked like a real bona-fide turkey mummy.
The food wasnt the only highlight of the Thanksgiving Day. My Aunt Hattie always set the prettiest dinner table I had ever seen. She would always use her best china and silverware for this special occasion. The Table was huge. It would seat at least 10 guests. There were high back chairs with big arms rests. When you sat in them you knew for a fact that you had to be someone special just to be invited. The good news about my Aunt Hattie was that my father and I were always invited. It was a family tradition to spend Thanksgiving Day at her house. This particular dinner was always served at 2:00PM sharp. You could tell when dinnertime was approaching, because everyone would start showing up. My father and I always arrived early so that we could all watch the Thanksgiving Parade. It was as I said part of a family tradition.
When it came time to eat everyone was gathered for a prayer. As a small child, I am sorry to admit, I always opened my eyes just to watch what everyone was doing. Most of adults were standing very still with their eyes closed. However, all of us kids basically did the same thing watched and semi-listened at what seemed to be the longest prayer ever said in the world. At least it seemed long to us 7 year olds. At the end of the prayer all adults reached for their chair and proceeded to sit down. The children were all escorted to the kitchen where a special table waited for us, which fit our size perfectly. However, we would always talk about the day when we all would be sitting at the grand dinner table.
However, now that I think about it when I finally graduated from the kitchen to the main dinning room it wasnt all that I thought it would be. I had to fix my own plate as well as wait for others to start eating. Our tea glasses were sitting in crystal holders, which were supposed to keep any sort of wet stains off the starched white tablecloth. Trying to eat and drink at the same time could be tricky especially if you missed putting your glass back in the holder. The food sure didnt taste any different. Dont get me wrong it was still delicious, but somehow it wasnt the same.
This goes to show you that it takes a lifetime to realize that in some instances change and all that implies certain isnt all that its cracked up to be! However, family traditions are what Thanksgiving Day is all about! Although in my case, moving from one room to another didnt seem like a big step, but it certainly was!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Captain Judy
Captain Judy Helmey
missjudycharters.com
912 897 4921
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Fishin with Capt. Gus! The Alabama Rig 11-20-11
Picture # 1- Alabama Rig with swimbaits hooked up
Attachment 208548
Photograph #2 Capt. Gus keeping a Lake Norman striped bass
Photo courtesy of Capt. Gus
Fishin with Capt. Gus!
The Alabama Rig
11-twenty-11
A new rig is using the bass fishing scene by storm. It commenced in Oct 2011, when Paul Elias won $ 100,000 in a FLW fishing tournament held at Lake Guntersville in Alabama. Elias brought twenty bass to the scales that weighed a whole of 102 pounds, all reportedly caught on the Alabama Rig.
So, it is no surprise that the Alabama rig has quickly grow to be as well-liked to bass fishing as the Sabiki rig is to catching white perch on Lake Norman. Its layout permits the angler to forged numerous lures at the exact same time, although producing the underwater illusion of a university of tiny bait fish swimming in formation. Large bass cant resist taking a swipe at the lure as it passes, although schoolie bass will assault it from all angles, frequently generating several hook ups.
Simply stated, the Alabama rig is a miniature model of the saltwater umbrella rig used by anglers who troll for bluefish and striped bass. Its wire harness style makes it possible for the angler to forged five swim baits at the exact same time. The rig has a snap swivel hooked up to the terminal finish of each and every of its four arms and a solitary center wire which tends to make it effortless to alter lures when circumstances dictate.
A weighty rod and reel combination (loaded with 50 to one hundred pound braided line) is necessary to solid the Alabama rig. Because the rig alone weighs about a 50 percent ounce or so, even just before attaching five lures to the arms, it can be tiring to solid above the course of a day. For this cause, some non-tournament anglers pick to troll the rig powering a sluggish relocating boat.
Area anglers who target suspended spotted and largemouth bass, must include a few to 5 inch swim baits with three/eight ounce jig heads to the Alabama rig, then solid and let it to sink to the depth of the fish detected on the fish finder display screen. One particular tournament angler indicates that the velocity and cadence of the retrieve is vital, so fluctuate it till you uncover the correct velocity for the day. Unlike other lure displays, a quickly-to-really-quickly retrieve would seem to set off strikes much more instances than not.
Whilst the Alabama rig is at the moment permitted on most tournament trails, its multi hook style is beneath scrutiny. Multi hook rigs are already unlawful in specific states, which includes Tennessee, so check local fishing regulations and tournament guidelines before utilizing it.
The Alabama rigs quick rise to fame has induced a offer and desire syndrome that has driven its cost to much more than $ 100.00 on eBay and other on-line sites. But, as a lot more rigs fill the provide line, the price will drop drastically. Regionally, the Alabama rig can be bought for a whole lot a lot less at local bait outlets, including Tackle Town (704 483 1007) in Maiden, NC and The Fantastic Outdoors (704 445 8848) in Cherryville, NC. Contact in advance to check on availability.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
According to Frank Parsons at Deal with City, The Alabama Rig is finest employed when fished above suspended bass at depths to thirty feet. Deep water casting calls for the use of 1/two ounce jigs vs the lighter 1/4 and 3/8 ounce versions staying employed in shallower water.
Sizzling Spots of the Week:
Noticed bass fishing is outstanding, with some anglers catching fifty or a lot more for the duration of a solitary outing. Comfortable plastics, fished off channel points, and jigging spoons fished vertically above suspended fish, are the baits of selection. Huge colleges of white perch are exhibiting up in drinking water 20 to forty ft deep. Catfish are even now quite active, in spite of cooler water temperatures. Striper fishing remains spotty, but these staying caught are hitting live baits and jigging spoons.
The lake stage on Lake Norman is down about 4.1 from total pond and down three.1′ on Mountain Island Lake. The water floor temperature is in the fifties and very low sixties.
Captain Gus Gustafson, certified by the US Coast Guard, is a member of the Southeastern Out of doors Press Association and a Professional Sport Fishing Manual on Lake Norman, NC. Go to his website at www.FishingWithGus.com , e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com or get in touch with 704-617-6812.
Activity Fishing Message boards – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Davidson River Outfitters report 11-19
Pisgah Forest NC 28768
Toll Free of charge 888-861-0111 electronic mail: information @davidsonflyfishing.com
The Trout Bum Occasions
Fishing Report November 18, 2011
The weather is ultimately finding to seasonably cool, which means that the crowds on the river are thinning, and the Browns are spawning or acquiring prepared to spawn. The passing fronts have enhanced the river stage marginally and the cooler water temps have all the fish feeding up for the winter season.
There are still a few BWO’s and midges close to and a number of fish are nevertheless prepared to eat a dry fly. Nonetheless, nymphs and streamers are catching a lot more fish.
The Davidson: Fishing is great when using midges and eggs around the hatchery location. On the lower component of the catch and launch drinking water, eggs and nymphs like Pheasant Tail’s and Dirty Birds’s in dimension sixteen-18. If you want to catch fish on prime, attempt an 18 BWO with a little eighteen Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail dropped guiding it.
The Blue Lines (Avery Creek, Whitewater and so on): Fishing has been excellent on these streams, particularly with nymphs. Try Pheasant Tails in 14-eighteen, Copper Johns in the exact same dimensions and drop a small Soft Hackle off of the back of the fly for added final results. You will have to use five-6x tippet to get the bite.
The Trophy H2o: The Trophy drinking water has been fishing great. Most journeys are averaging large figures of fish. The very best flies have been Lighting Bugs dimension 14-eighteen and Soft Hackles dimension 14-20. You will have to fish 5x tippet for greatest benefits.
Smallmouth: The chilly fronts are making the bass fishing a tiny challenging. Attempt Clouser’s on a form III sinking line with a sluggish swing. Or you can grab a spinning rod and a tiny jig for certain accomplishment.
We will be hosting the Casting for Recovery "Tie One On Group Challenge Tournament " on Saturday. Come out and help CFR and get pleasure from some excellent fellowship.
http://www.davidsonflyfishing.com
Go Early….Stay Late….Fish Tough!!!!
Davidson River Outfitters
Pisgah Forest NC 28768
Toll Free of charge 888-861-0111 electronic mail: information @davidsonflyfishing.com
Activity Fishing Community forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Ocean Isle Fishing Center report Biloxi SKA report 11-18 and video
The Wahoo bite is about to be insane. The bite was red hot just to our north this past weekend, and this weekend the weather is setting up perfect for the fish to show up off our area. Last year we experienced and epic Wahoo bite about this time of year, so look out. Do not miss out on this one. The Kings are thick in the vicinity of the Frying Pan Tower, so if that is your cup of tea, they are there for the taking; maybe get some revenge on them for being so elusive this Summer!
Team OIFC Wins SKA National Championship: The Full Recap
Attachment 208480
Team OIFC- 48.43 & 54.70 pound Kings for first place aggregate of 103.13 pounds
In 2009 Team OIFC (Ocean Isle Fishing Center) consisting of Brant, Barrett and Rube McMullan won the Southern Kingfish Associations (SKA) National Championship title. The victory was a record breaking feat as the family team weighed a monster 74.1 pound King Mackerel to anchor their winning 118 pound, two fish aggregate. The 74.1 was the new Mississippi state record, new all-time SKA record and it was the largest winning aggregate in SKA history. It was the grandest stage in King Mackerel tournament fishing and it was the grandest catch in King Mackerel fishing history. The McMullans and Team OIFC have been featured and pictured in numerous articles and ads as a result of this historic catch.
Fast forward to 2011; Team OIFC has now grown to include Brants wife Amy and his six year old daughter, Caroline; otherwise the gang is back together as Brant, Barrett and Rube are hoping for another miracle catch. Here is the play by play as it occurred.
Monday, November 7th: Brant and Barrett have the teams 32 Yellowfin loaded with all the equipment and on the trailer. The brothers head out of Ocean Isle Beach at 5am, headed for Biloxi, MS. After a 13+ hour drive, the brothers arrive to The Isle of Capri hotel and casino in Biloxi, MS. The truck and boat are parked, suitcases are unloaded, rooms checked in and lights out. The plan is to launch the boat and get to work the next morning.
Tuesday, November 8th. Brant and Barrett launch the boat at 6am. A dock is secured at The Isle and bait pens etc. are unloaded. Outdoor writer and friend Gary Caputi join the brothers on board for the day of fishing/scouting. The weather forecast has caused the SKA Pro tournament to be cancelled due to strong southeast winds, but Brant and Barrett are confident that the Chandeleur islands and Louisiana bayou will provide good wind blockage and nice seas in the famed West Delta of Louisiana. The crew leaves the dock at 7am and twin 300hp Yamahas help crank off the 110 mile run across the state of Louisiana, passing through the bayous, crossing the mighty Mississippi river and popping out on the west side of Louisiana. The plan is to scout the area for schools of Kings and capture large Blue Runners to bring back and pen up for bait. The duo works oil rigs from 50 feet to 250 feet and catches a variety of species including a 40 pound Wahoo, but no Kings are in sight. The big Blue Runners are plentiful and after a long day of scouting and covering ground, the brothers load up the baitwells and make the run back to Biloxi; the last 20 miles are in the dark, but the boat is moored safely at 7pm. Tomorrow is another big day of scouting.
Wednesday, November 9th: Brant and Barrett head off the dock at 6am. There is an approaching cold front which is scheduled to pass in the late afternoon, so the plan is to get things done by mid afternoon and head in. The AM weather is great with light southeast winds, although a large southeast swell makes running offshore a bit tough. The plan is to scout the area east of Louisiana, due south of the Biloxi and Mobile area. Brant and Barrett all ready know that there is a large school of Kings are the Horseshoe salt dome, some 80 miles south of Biloxi, where they won this same event back in 2009. However, the desire is to see if there are other schools of Kings in other less known places that might allow the brothers to find potentially winning Kings and not fish in the crowd of boats headed to the Horseshoe salt dome. The 32 Yellowfin makes its first stop in the 110 foot depth range where Brant and Barrett scout bait concentrations and then do a little fishing. The first couple of oil rigs have little bait and no King Mackerel action. The third rig is in 125 feet and the water temperature has risen to 74 degrees. The bait is plentiful and while jigging up some fresh baits, both Brant and Barrett have baits get cut in half by predator fish. Soon after, lines are deployed and minutes later reels are screaming. It is a welcome sound and the high speed run indicates King Mackerel. Brant and Barrett fight a double header and bring to boatside a pair of monster Kings, both estimated at high 40 to low 50 pound class; tournament winners. This starts the wheels turning and certainly could be good information for the tournament. The brothers continue their rig hopping as they scout different rigs, continuing to head offshore. They find no other Kings, but at one rig they boat a monster Wahoo that is later weighed in at 85 pounds; a great catch and ton of fun on light tackle. The brothers do a little more scouting before turning the boat back inshore to make one final stop to load the baitwells with more bait to pen up for the tournament. Unfortunately, the last stop proves costly as the cold front passes and winds shift to the northwest and breezes up to 20 knots. Now Brant and Barrett face a 50 mile ride home in 3-4 foot, choppy head seas. It is not fun, but weather is just part of the game. This same day the SKA hosted its Pro tour event and the winning aggregate came for a North Carolina based team, captained by Stacy Wester. He and crew weighed a pair of Kings, 46 and 48 pounders that were caught at the Horseshoe salt dome. The 25 other teams competing also weighed quite a few 40 pounders and the report was the bite was red hot.
Thursday, November 10th: The front that passed the evening before has pushed winds in excess of 30 knots and seas to 6+ feet. Brant and Barrett take the day off the water and head to the airport to pick up the family which is flying in to fish/cheerlead. Additional crew members now include: Brants wife, Amy, daughter, Caroline (6), son, Brayden (2), head babysitter, Katelyn Kincer, Barretts wife, Stephanie and daughter, Blakeley (4 months). Rube arrives by vehicle mid day from Atlanta to complete the family fishing team adventure. The marine forecast for Friday is calling for rough seas in the morning, but laying out very nice by early afternoon. Despite questioning and some dissent, the SKA decides to cancel the tournament on Friday and make it a one day shootout, Saturday fishing only. Brant and Barrett are among the dissenting faction, but decide they will use the extra day to make a final scouting and bait mission.
Friday, November 11th: The family/fishing team gets to sleep in, but by 11am everyone is at the boat and loading up. The wind has died to near nothing and seas are laying out. On board for this mission are Brant, Barrett, Rube, Amy, Caroline, Brayden and Katelyn. The plan is to fish nearshore oil rigs to try to catch large Bluefish for bait and then head offshore, hopefully to the same rig where Brant and Barrett caught the big Kings a couple of days before, to scout if those fish are still there. The Bluefish mission is fairly successful as several 3-4 pound Bluefish are boated. In addition, the crew finds the nearshore rigs covered up with 20-30 pound Kings, good knowledge but not likely to produce tournament winners. Brant points the Yellowfin offshore and is determined to make the 50 mile run to check if those big Kings are still holding at that one particular lone rig; a potential jackpot of information for the tournament. However, also a potential nightmare as those fish are likely on the move and could easily be gone. Lines are deployed at the rogue King rig but all is quiet. The baitfish which were easy to catch a few days before are difficult. The Kings are not present. The fish have moved on. That is fine, as it solidifies the theory that the Kings are on the move offshore. There is no question now, the team has no choice but to fight the crowd at the Horseshoe salt dome and hope to pull out the winners. The brothers feel through use of superior bait and angling fish aggressively to catch as many as possible to cull through for the large Kings, the team has a good chance of excelling
Saturday, November 12th: The wake up call comes at 4am and everyone is at the boat and ready to go at 5am; Brant, Barrett, Rube, Amy and Caroline. The team wants to get in the check out line early to be near the front and hopefully one of the first teams to the fish. Gear is loaded, rigs tied, baitwells filled and then it is off to sit in line until the 6:40am check out. Everyone blasts off in flat calm seas at 6:40am. Brant pushes the throttles to the twin Yamaha F300s to the dash and the Yellowfin loaded to the gills with bait, ice and fuel tops out at 58mph. For 84 miles Brant does not touch the throttles as Team OIFC settles into the ride and focuses on what hopes to be an epic King Mackerel bite. At roughly 8am Brant pulls the throttle back at the Horseshoe salt dome. 15-20 of the super fast boats are all ready there and it looks like every boat is hooked up; the bite is on! Brant, Barrett and Rube each hook up baits, pitch them over, free line them for a few seconds and then all three are hooked up to Kings who are screaming off line in different directions. Amy takes over on Brants rod while Brant grabs another bait and hooks up a fourth fish. Amys fish is particularly stubborn, hanging deep and hard to move. The other crew members release several Kings in the mid 30 pound range. Amys fish finally comes in sight and it is a much larger fish. Brant and Amy work the fish to the gaff where it is boated and estimated in the mid 40 pound range; a good fish that will help their needed two fish aggregate. The feeling is that it will take 100 pounds aggregate to have a chance to win, thus this mid 40s along with a similar or larger fish will put the team in position to have a high finish. The McMullan family continues to sit at idle, free lining baits into the mouths of ravenous King Mackerel below; not just small school fish either, these Kings are all between 30 and 40 pounds. Barrett and Rube are in the bow doing battle and Brant reaches in the well and hooks up a large Bluefish and pitches it over. The Bluefish swims down deep and out sight, then stops, makes a few nervous twitches and takes its final breath as a big King Mackerel inhales it. Brant sets the hook as the big fish sits idle, shaking its head trying to interpret the new sensation. The situation is finally digested and the reels drag slips uncontrollable as the King spools off several hundred yards. It is either a bigger fish or a really mean one, but the crew has to turn the boat and head toward the King to get it back under control; other hooked fish are put on hold until this situation is resolved. Brant does battle with the stubborn fish which makes a couple more good runs and then hangs deep and strong. Finally Brant gets a glimpse and recognizes the fish as particularly long, a potential good fish to go with the one currently on ice. Rube grabs the gaff and boats the Kings. It is long, has a huge head, but is very skinny; a hard fish to estimate weight but definitely at least as big as the one in the bag. It is approximately 10:30am and Team OIFC has an estimated pair of 45 pounders in the bag; probably good for a top ten finish, but a big kicker fish is needed. At 11:30am the baitwells are empty. The crew has gone through 60+ baits and caught over 30 Kings ranging from 30-45 pounds. Brant sets course for the nearest oil rig which is 15 miles away with the hopes of securing more bait. At the rig, the crew finds small Blue Runners only. Barrett manages to catch two large Jack type unknown fish that are roughly 5 pounds each. Brant and Barrett discuss options of whether to keep searching bait or to take the two large, different baits back to the hot bite and hope they produce an odd, big bite. It is a gamble with only two good baits, but the brothers know it only takes one bite. Lines are reset at the Horseshoe salt dome at 1:30 and one big Jack and a couple of small Blue Runners are deployed. The Runners are immediately engulfed, while the Jack sits idle. A quick twitch and sharp bend of the Jack rod indicates a bite, but the line immediately goes limp. As has been a problem throughout the day, a King has bitten the bait while another has bit the swivel and thus cut the line. Brant grabs the last hope, a 5 pound Jack and sets it out. Only minutes go by before the rod bends over and line slowly creeps off the reel. Barrett grabs the rod and sets the hook. The fish sulks, and circles the boat, not acting much like a King. Then the scene changes as suddenly the reel comes to life and line smokes off. Team OIFC is in the middle of a pack of boats and this fish has gone supersonic, peeling off ¾ of the spool and heading toward potential conflict with other boats. Evasive maneuvers are made as Brant turns the boat and makes chase to get back on top of the fish. Barrett collects the line after several more strong runs, but eventually gets the big fish into a stalemate up and down battle. Big circles around the boat indicate a King Mackerel and as the fish comes into sight, it looks like it may be bigger than anything they have in the bag. Brant readies the gaff, reaches out the entire length of the 12 gaff plus an additional arms length and nails the King. It is hauled aboard and obviously the biggest fish of the day. It is very long and has a huge head, but is skinny; another hard fish to judge, but still clearly the largest fish on board. The two fish in the bag are judged and weighed (using a scale on a rocking boat is not exact) and it appears the first King kept is bouncing between 44 and 46 pounds while the second King kept is bouncing between 46 and 49 pounds. The second King and now this most recent King are iced in the fish bag and zipped up. The King bag is 60 inches long and the second King kept will just barely fit if the tail is bent and the third King kept is longer than the bag; two fish tails stick out of the end of the bag, a good sign. The team picks up lines at 3pm, averages 45 mph for the ride home and makes it through check-in with 15 minutes to spare. In the line, Brant re-weighs the Kings to make sure the right decision has been made on which fish to weigh. Brant does take the chance to scale the biggest King and the scale bounces past 53 pounds before he quickly re-ices the fish; he does not tell the crew as he is now cautiously optimistic about what may be a high finishing aggregate. In line, Brant is keeping track of what has been weighed; the leading aggregate is 100 pounds. According to what Brant has seen, he believes the teams aggregate should be around 99 pounds, not likely a winning aggregate but possibly good for second; fingers are crossed. Barrett and Rube are thinking low 90 pound aggregate. At the weigh-in off loading sight, the crowd is very responsive to the teams catch, an indication that they may have a high placing aggregate. There is a line of teams with their fish bags waiting to get on stage. Brant and Rube lug the bag one step at a time. Passers note the two big tails hanging out the end of the bag. Finally the entire team is on the stage. The leading aggregate is still 100 pounds. Brant unzips the bag and hands the weighmaster the smaller of the two fish, knowing this fish will tell the tale. The scale zips right past 46 and settles at an amazing 48.43 pounds. The entire team is astonished. Brant gives a small fist pump as he now has an idea they may have a shot at taking the lead. The crowd applauds the next fish as its length makes it particularly impressive. The scale hits 52 then 55 pounds and settles at 54.70 pounds. Barrett and Rube turn to Brant with astonishment, Amy and Caroline are in shock and Brant pumps his first and holds up a finger, first place! The SKA announcer gives a total aggregate of 103.13 pounds and new leader. Team OIFC has taken a late lead and is absolutely in shock. They knew they had a good catch, but never considered it a winning catch. The line to weigh is still long and the nervous anticipation is overwhelming. Other teams and spectators are trying to congratulate the team, but shock mixed with the fear of a jinx keep them near silent. Finally the last fish is weighed and it is announced that Team OIFC has won the Open Class of the 2011 SKA National Championship. High fives, thanks, cheers and a variety of emotions of shared. For their efforts Team OIFC won nearly $ 15,000 in cash along with a brand new 21 Contender boat/motor/trailer package valued at $ 40,000. Just as important and most impressive, the team has added another National Championship trophy to their resume and will cherish the memory of sharing this accolade with both Amy and Caroline.
Sunday, November 13th: Amy, Brayden, Stephanie, Blakely and Katelyn all catch a 6am flight back to North Carolina. Caroline has decided to skip the flight and ride back in the truck with Brant and Barrett so she can make the awards and get up on stage. Awards are at 8am and trophies, money and boat are received and many pictures taken. Many congratulations are given to the McMullan family and many thanks are returned. The family is obviously still in awe over their accomplishment. The crowds finally part ways and its back to reality as suitcases are loaded into vehicles, the boat is washed and loaded and finally put back on the trailer for the long ride home. The family departs Biloxi at roughly noon and travels to Atlanta where they spend the night with mom, a good halfway stopping point.
Monday, November 14th: Brant, Barrett and Caroline depart Atlanta after morning traffic and arrive back to Ocean Isle at 5pm. There is no ticker tape parade, but there are smiling children, wives, dogs and normal life as they know it; with one small change: Team OIFC is the new and current reigning National Champions.
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Hope to see you at the OIFC and on the water this weekend- Capt. Brant
Ocean Isle Fishing Center
65 Causeway Drive-Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
(910) 575-FISH – http://www.oifc.com
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Frisco Rod and Gun fishing report 11-18
Right now was primarily sunny. We had winds from the south south-west at 15-20 mph and temperatures were higher close to 72 F. The winds are intended to change to the north-west and select up to twenty five-30 mph and generate a lot of rain when the chilly front pushes via. The Avon beach had some sea mullet and black drum nowadays. There had been a few speckled trout caught about the Buxton beaches and Cape Position had a lot of large sharks today. There are nevertheless a couple of black drum, bluefish and blow toads being caught on the Frisco Beach front. No boats out offshore these days.
Outer Banking institutions Fishing Report 11-15
Posted on November 15, 2011
The following is the Frisco Rod and Gun Outer Banking institutions Fishing Report for Hatteras Island:
These days was warm and sunny. We had a lot of sunshine and mild south-west winds about 10 mph and the temperatures around 70 F. The Buxton beach front speckled trout bite was a small slower right now. Cape Point had bluefish, sharks and skates right now. Down on the Frisco Beach front there ended up plenty of blow toads and some black drum with a few bluefish combined in. The offshore fishing carries on to be genuinely good. Limits of king mackerel and very good blackfin and yellowfin tuna.
Outer Banking institutions Fishing Report 11-14
Posted on November 14, 2011
Here is the Frisco Rod and Gun Outer Financial institutions Fishing Report for Hatteras Island:
Right now was stunning with sunny skies and light winds. The winds have been from the south-west at five-10 mph and the temperatures ended up in the mid 60′s. On the Buxton beach front today there had been a handful of sea mullet, black drum and some speckled trout. The Frisco beach front had some bluefish, black drum and a number of flounder. No studies from the Hatteras Seashore. Offshore fishing nowadays was the moment once more really excellent. Wonderful citation wahoos caught in the 40 to 81 lbs class. Exceptional king mackerel and a few dolphin and yellowfin tuna have been caught.
Frisco Rod and gun
252-995-5366
http://www.friscorodgun.com/about.html
Activity Fishing Message boards – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Oregon Inlet Fishing center report 11-16
by Korin
Attachment 208419
Given that the sea finally calmed down we had a great day of fishing. Inshore light tackle charters reported tautogs, sheepshead and spade fish. Several of the sheepshead had been citations weighing in at eleven kilos and ten kilos 8 ounces. Our offshore fleet had some limits of yellowfin tuna brought in to the dock. We also had a blue marlin launch noted by one of the offshore fleet. To see our catches of the day come by the fishing center in between three:00 and 5:00. Just in situation you want to get in on the fishing action occur by the reserving desk to ebook your really very own charter. If you do not have a party of 6 dont be concerned we put together make up charters. To get on our make up listing fill out our make-up charter request on our internet site at e-book a make-up charter or quit in and fill out the types at the booking desk.
HAKE CAUGHT ON ten-27-eleven
by Korin
Attachment 208420
Micheal Kraemer of Connecticut caught this out of location hake on his mild tackle charter Oct 27, 2011.
11-thirteen-eleven
by Korin
Attachment 208421
Right now was actually a fantastic day of fishing for our offshore fleet! All of our boats that fished offshore had their limit of yellowfin tuna (three for each particular person). Along with yellowfin tuna the offshore catches consisted of blackfin tuna, a release white marlin, a release sailfish, and a few of misplaced gaffer dolphins. Inshore light tackle had excellent bite as nicely! Quoting one of the inshore captains,
tons of blues, sea bass, and sheepshead. If you would like to get in on the bite end by the Oregon Inlet Fishing Middle, ebook on the internet, or give us a call at one-800- 272-5199.
FISHING REPORT – eleven/14/11
by Denise
Attachment 208422
Today we had a single boat go offshore fishing and occur again with a limit of yellowfin tuna. The inshore trips returned with excellent catches of black sea bass and taylor blues.
Attachment 208423
What a stunning fall day. The offshore charter arrived home with a good catch of yellowfin tuna. The inshore light tackle charter came house with a catch of tautogs. It’s a excellent time for fall fishing. Reserve a charter or book on the web to be part of a makeup charter. Do not forget about our annual Thanksgiving Day Sale. Starts Thursday morning at five AM until close of day on Sunday. We will be having a Christmas T-shirt with a new layout for sale around December 1.
FISHING REPORT eleven/sixteen/eleven
We did not have any offshore boats go out fishing these days. A single of our inshore boats went out this afternoon and caught a keeper flounder, a couple of bluefish and a keeper trout. Fishing was a small little bit slower right now than it has been.
Give us a contact to make your reservations now. 800-272-5199 or 252-441-6301
Oregon Inlet Fishing Middle
(252) 441-6301
http://www.oregon-inlet.com
Activity Fishing Community forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Ocean Isle Fishing Center report 11-17 Biloxi SKA report
Team OIFC Wins 2011 Southern Kingfish Association National Championship: Biloxi, MS
In 2009 Team OIFC (Ocean Isle Fishing Center) consisting of Brant, Barrett and Rube McMullan won the Southern Kingfish Associations (SKA) National Championship title. The victory was a record breaking feat as the family team weighed a monster 74.1 pound King Mackerel to anchor their winning 118 pound, two fish aggregate. The 74.1 was the new Mississippi state record, new all-time SKA record and it was the largest winning aggregate in SKA history. It was the grandest stage in King Mackerel tournament fishing and it was the grandest catch in King Mackerel fishing history. The McMullans and Team OIFC have been featured and pictured in numerous articles and ads as a result of this historic catch.
Fast forward to 2011; Team OIFC has now grown to include Brants wife Amy and his six year old daughter, Caroline; otherwise the gang is back together as Brant, Barrett and Rube are hoping for another miracle catch. Here is the play by play as it occurred.
Monday, November 7th: Brant and Barrett have the teams 32 Yellowfin loaded with all the equipment and on the trailer. The brothers head out of Ocean Isle Beach at 5am, headed for Biloxi, MS. After a 13+ hour drive, the brothers arrive to The Isle of Capri hotel and casino in Biloxi, MS. The truck and boat are parked, suitcases are unloaded, rooms checked in and lights out. The plan is to launch the boat and get to work the next morning.
Tuesday, November 8th. Brant and Barrett launch the boat at 6am. A dock is secured at The Isle and bait pens etc. are unloaded. Outdoor writer and friend Gary Caputi join the brothers on board for the day of fishing/scouting. The weather forecast has caused the SKA Pro tournament to be cancelled due to strong southeast winds, but Brant and Barrett are confident that the Chandeleur islands and Louisiana bayou will provide good wind blockage and nice seas in the famed West Delta of Louisiana. The crew leaves the dock at 7am and twin 300hp Yamahas help crank off the 110 mile run across the state of Louisiana, passing through the bayous, crossing the mighty Mississippi river and popping out on the west side of Louisiana. The plan is to scout the area for schools of Kings and capture large Blue Runners to bring back and pen up for bait. The duo works oil rigs from 50 feet to 250 feet and catches a variety of species including a 40 pound Wahoo, but no Kings are in sight. The big Blue Runners are plentiful and after a long day of scouting and covering ground, the brothers load up the baitwells and make the run back to Biloxi; the last 20 miles are in the dark, but the boat is moored safely at 7pm. Tomorrow is another big day of scouting.
Wednesday, November 9th: Brant and Barrett head off the dock at 6am. There is an approaching cold front which is scheduled to pass in the late afternoon, so the plan is to get things done by mid afternoon and head in. The AM weather is great with light southeast winds, although a large southeast swell makes running offshore a bit tough. The plan is to scout the area east of Louisiana, due south of the Biloxi and Mobile area. Brant and Barrett all ready know that there is a large school of Kings are the Horseshoe salt dome, some 80 miles south of Biloxi, where they won this same event back in 2009. However, the desire is to see if there are other schools of Kings in other less known places that might allow the brothers to find potentially winning Kings and not fish in the crowd of boats headed to the Horseshoe salt dome. The 32 Yellowfin makes its first stop in the 110 foot depth range where Brant and Barrett scout bait concentrations and then do a little fishing. The first couple of oil rigs have little bait and no King Mackerel action. The third rig is in 125 feet and the water temperature has risen to 74 degrees. The bait is plentiful and while jigging up some fresh baits, both Brant and Barrett have baits get cut in half by predator fish. Soon after, lines are deployed and minutes later reels are screaming. It is a welcome sound and the high speed run indicates King Mackerel. Brant and Barrett fight a double header and bring to boatside a pair of monster Kings, both estimated at high 40 to low 50 pound class; tournament winners. This starts the wheels turning and certainly could be good information for the tournament. The brothers continue their rig hopping as they scout different rigs, continuing to head offshore. They find no other Kings, but at one rig they boat a monster Wahoo that is later weighed in at 85 pounds; a great catch and ton of fun on light tackle. The brothers do a little more scouting before turning the boat back inshore to make one final stop to load the baitwells with more bait to pen up for the tournament. Unfortunately, the last stop proves costly as the cold front passes and winds shift to the northwest and breezes up to 20 knots. Now Brant and Barrett face a 50 mile ride home in 3-4 foot, choppy head seas. It is not fun, but weather is just part of the game. This same day the SKA hosted its Pro tour event and the winning aggregate came for a North Carolina based team, captained by Stacy Wester. He and crew weighed a pair of Kings, 46 and 48 pounders that were caught at the Horseshoe salt dome. The 25 other teams competing also weighed quite a few 40 pounders and the report was the bite was red hot.
Thursday, November 10th: The front that passed the evening before has pushed winds in excess of 30 knots and seas to 6+ feet. Brant and Barrett take the day off the water and head to the airport to pick up the family which is flying in to fish/cheerlead. Additional crew members now include: Brants wife, Amy, daughter, Caroline (6), son, Brayden (2), head babysitter, Katelyn Kincer, Barretts wife, Stephanie and daughter, Blakeley (4 months). Rube arrives by vehicle mid day from Atlanta to complete the family fishing team adventure. The marine forecast for Friday is calling for rough seas in the morning, but laying out very nice by early afternoon. Despite questioning and some dissent, the SKA decides to cancel the tournament on Friday and make it a one day shootout, Saturday fishing only. Brant and Barrett are among the dissenting faction, but decide they will use the extra day to make a final scouting and bait mission.
Friday, November 11th: The family/fishing team gets to sleep in, but by 11am everyone is at the boat and loading up. The wind has died to near nothing and seas are laying out. On board for this mission are Brant, Barrett, Rube, Amy, Caroline, Brayden and Katelyn. The plan is to fish nearshore oil rigs to try to catch large Bluefish for bait and then head offshore, hopefully to the same rig where Brant and Barrett caught the big Kings a couple of days before, to scout if those fish are still there. The Bluefish mission is fairly successful as several 3-4 pound Bluefish are boated. In addition, the crew finds the nearshore rigs covered up with 20-30 pound Kings, good knowledge but not likely to produce tournament winners. Brant points the Yellowfin offshore and is determined to make the 50 mile run to check if those big Kings are still holding at that one particular lone rig; a potential jackpot of information for the tournament. However, also a potential nightmare as those fish are likely on the move and could easily be gone. Lines are deployed at the rogue King rig but all is quiet. The baitfish which were easy to catch a few days before are difficult. The Kings are not present. The fish have moved on. That is fine, as it solidifies the theory that the Kings are on the move offshore. There is no question now, the team has no choice but to fight the crowd at the Horseshoe salt dome and hope to pull out the winners. The brothers feel through use of superior bait and angling fish aggressively to catch as many as possible to cull through for the large Kings, the team has a good chance of excelling
Saturday, November 12th: The wake up call comes at 4am and everyone is at the boat and ready to go at 5am; Brant, Barrett, Rube, Amy and Caroline. The team wants to get in the check out line early to be near the front and hopefully one of the first teams to the fish. Gear is loaded, rigs tied, baitwells filled and then it is off to sit in line until the 6:40am check out. Everyone blasts off in flat calm seas at 6:40am. Brant pushes the throttles to the twin Yamaha F300s to the dash and the Yellowfin loaded to the gills with bait, ice and fuel tops out at 58mph. For 84 miles Brant does not touch the throttles as Team OIFC settles into the ride and focuses on what hopes to be an epic King Mackerel bite. At roughly 8am Brant pulls the throttle back at the Horseshoe salt dome. 15-20 of the super fast boats are all ready there and it looks like every boat is hooked up; the bite is on! Brant, Barrett and Rube each hook up baits, pitch them over, free line them for a few seconds and then all three are hooked up to Kings who are screaming off line in different directions. Amy takes over on Brants rod while Brant grabs another bait and hooks up a fourth fish. Amys fish is particularly stubborn, hanging deep and hard to move. The other crew members release several Kings in the mid 30 pound range. Amys fish finally comes in sight and it is a much larger fish. Brant and Amy work the fish to the gaff where it is boated and estimated in the mid 40 pound range; a good fish that will help their needed two fish aggregate. The feeling is that it will take 100 pounds aggregate to have a chance to win, thus this mid 40s along with a similar or larger fish will put the team in position to have a high finish. The McMullan family continues to sit at idle, free lining baits into the mouths of ravenous King Mackerel below; not just small school fish either, these Kings are all between 30 and 40 pounds. Barrett and Rube are in the bow doing battle and Brant reaches in the well and hooks up a large Bluefish and pitches it over. The Bluefish swims down deep and out sight, then stops, makes a few nervous twitches and takes its final breath as a big King Mackerel inhales it. Brant sets the hook as the big fish sits idle, shaking its head trying to interpret the new sensation. The situation is finally digested and the reels drag slips uncontrollable as the King spools off several hundred yards. It is either a bigger fish or a really mean one, but the crew has to turn the boat and head toward the King to get it back under control; other hooked fish are put on hold until this situation is resolved. Brant does battle with the stubborn fish which makes a couple more good runs and then hangs deep and strong. Finally Brant gets a glimpse and recognizes the fish as particularly long, a potential good fish to go with the one currently on ice. Rube grabs the gaff and boats the Kings. It is long, has a huge head, but is very skinny; a hard fish to estimate weight but definitely at least as big as the one in the bag. It is approximately 10:30am and Team OIFC has an estimated pair of 45 pounders in the bag; probably good for a top ten finish, but a big kicker fish is needed. At 11:30am the baitwells are empty. The crew has gone through 60+ baits and caught over 30 Kings ranging from 30-45 pounds. Brant sets course for the nearest oil rig which is 15 miles away with the hopes of securing more bait. At the rig, the crew finds small Blue Runners only. Barrett manages to catch two large Jack type unknown fish that are roughly 5 pounds each. Brant and Barrett discuss options of whether to keep searching bait or to take the two large, different baits back to the hot bite and hope they produce an odd, big bite. It is a gamble with only two good baits, but the brothers know it only takes one bite. Lines are reset at the Horseshoe salt dome at 1:30 and one big Jack and a couple of small Blue Runners are deployed. The Runners are immediately engulfed, while the Jack sits idle. A quick twitch and sharp bend of the Jack rod indicates a bite, but the line immediately goes limp. As has been a problem throughout the day, a King has bitten the bait while another has bit the swivel and thus cut the line. Brant grabs the last hope, a 5 pound Jack and sets it out. Only minutes go by before the rod bends over and line slowly creeps off the reel. Barrett grabs the rod and sets the hook. The fish sulks, and circles the boat, not acting much like a King. Then the scene changes as suddenly the reel comes to life and line smokes off. Team OIFC is in the middle of a pack of boats and this fish has gone supersonic, peeling off ¾ of the spool and heading toward potential conflict with other boats. Evasive maneuvers are made as Brant turns the boat and makes chase to get back on top of the fish. Barrett collects the line after several more strong runs, but eventually gets the big fish into a stalemate up and down battle. Big circles around the boat indicate a King Mackerel and as the fish comes into sight, it looks like it may be bigger than anything they have in the bag. Brant readies the gaff, reaches out the entire length of the 12 gaff plus an additional arms length and nails the King. It is hauled aboard and obviously the biggest fish of the day. It is very long and has a huge head, but is skinny; another hard fish to judge, but still clearly the largest fish on board. The two fish in the bag are judged and weighed (using a scale on a rocking boat is not exact) and it appears the first King kept is bouncing between 44 and 46 pounds while the second King kept is bouncing between 46 and 49 pounds. The second King and now this most recent King are iced in the fish bag and zipped up. The King bag is 60 inches long and the second King kept will just barely fit if the tail is bent and the third King kept is longer than the bag; two fish tails stick out of the end of the bag, a good sign. The team picks up lines at 3pm, averages 45 mph for the ride home and makes it through check-in with 15 minutes to spare. In the line, Brant re-weighs the Kings to make sure the right decision has been made on which fish to weigh. Brant does take the chance to scale the biggest King and the scale bounces past 53 pounds before he quickly re-ices the fish; he does not tell the crew as he is now cautiously optimistic about what may be a high finishing aggregate. In line, Brant is keeping track of what has been weighed; the leading aggregate is 100 pounds. According to what Brant has seen, he believes the teams aggregate should be around 99 pounds, not likely a winning aggregate but possibly good for second; fingers are crossed. Barrett and Rube are thinking low 90 pound aggregate. At the weigh-in off loading sight, the crowd is very responsive to the teams catch, an indication that they may have a high placing aggregate. There is a line of teams with their fish bags waiting to get on stage. Brant and Rube lug the bag one step at a time. Passers note the two big tails hanging out the end of the bag. Finally the entire team is on the stage. The leading aggregate is still 100 pounds. Brant unzips the bag and hands the weighmaster the smaller of the two fish, knowing this fish will tell the tale. The scale zips right past 46 and settles at an amazing 48.43 pounds. The entire team is astonished. Brant gives a small fist pump as he now has an idea they may have a shot at taking the lead. The crowd applauds the next fish as its length makes it particularly impressive. The scale hits 52 then 55 pounds and settles at 54.70 pounds. Barrett and Rube turn to Brant with astonishment, Amy and Caroline are in shock and Brant pumps his first and holds up a finger, first place! The SKA announcer gives a total aggregate of 103.13 pounds and new leader. Team OIFC has taken a late lead and is absolutely in shock. They knew they had a good catch, but never considered it a winning catch. The line to weigh is still long and the nervous anticipation is overwhelming. Other teams and spectators are trying to congratulate the team, but shock mixed with the fear of a jinx keep them near silent. Finally the last fish is weighed and it is announced that Team OIFC has won the Open Class of the 2011 SKA National Championship. High fives, thanks, cheers and a variety of emotions of shared. For their efforts Team OIFC won nearly $ 15,000 in cash along with a brand new 21 Contender boat/motor/trailer package valued at $ 40,000. Just as important and most impressive, the team has added another National Championship trophy to their resume and will cherish the memory of sharing this accolade with both Amy and Caroline.
Sunday, November 13th: Amy, Brayden, Stephanie, Blakely and Katelyn all catch a 6am flight back to North Carolina. Caroline has decided to skip the flight and ride back in the truck with Brant and Barrett so she can make the awards and get up on stage. Awards are at 8am and trophies, money and boat are received and many pictures taken. Many congratulations are given to the McMullan family and many thanks are returned. The family is obviously still in awe over their accomplishment. The crowds finally part ways and its back to reality as suitcases are loaded into vehicles, the boat is washed and loaded and finally put back on the trailer for the long ride home. The family departs Biloxi at roughly noon and travels to Atlanta where they spend the night with mom, a good halfway stopping point.
Monday, November 14th: Brant, Barrett and Caroline depart Atlanta after morning traffic and arrive back to Ocean Isle at 5pm. There is no ticker tape parade, but there are smiling children, wives, dogs and normal life as they know it; with one small change: Team OIFC is the new and current reigning National Champions.
PS- Thanks to the Allen family for the special congratulations. See you guys at the Jolly Mon!
.Attachment 208432Attachment 208431Attachment 208430Attachment 208429Attachment 208428
– Capt. Brant McMullan
"Ben Rucker vs. Redfish" | Tiberias – 22′ | 11/14/11
Took Ben on a quick trip to show my appreciation for him covering my shifts this weekend. The plan was to catch a few trout and maybe a redfish or two. We went to work and found a few trout. We were approaching a good area for reds, so I told Ben to get prepared. Redfish on! Ben landed the 18 incher and we got back to working on the area. Ben hooks up again and this one is taking the drag hard! Quick release! Ben ties another jig on and goes to work. Another hook up….Redfish! Drag screaming and surely we have got this one. Halfway into the fight, I here something like a rifle shot and yet another quick release. What?!! O.k. buddy! Let me at em…You will have to stop by the shop sometime to get the rest of the story, but the picture says it all. Ben had the trout game down pat, but let the redfish get the best of him. No worries there good buddy…we will get after’em again real soon. Thanks again for covering my shifts this weekend. See ya on the water!
– Capt. Jacob Frick
"Hott trout bite" | Get Busy | 11/14/11
Teamed up with Larry on Sunday to try to find some of these trout we had been hearing about. Started out on the Little River jetties on the rising tide with no luck. Moved back in the creeks to try out some tide rips and found them we did. Live shrimp was the ticket to start but the bite was so good the Gulp shrimp in new penny and pearl white did just as well. We boated and released 25-30 and desided to go back to the jetties and try for a big one or two. It just was not happening. Put the boat back on the lift before the tide got too low and called it a great day.
– Capt. Jeff Williamson
Ocean Isle Fishing Center- Ocean Isle Beach, NC for more reports and upcoming fishing news visit www.OIFC.com —
910-575-FISH
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Hatteras Harbor fishing report 11-15
King Mackerel fishing was exceptional these days, the boats caught limits. There have been also a handful of Blackfin Tuna and Wahoo caught.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Offshore: Superb king mackerel! Great Wahoo fishing, citation measurement (forty+lbs)! Dolphin and yellowfin tuna catches have been truthful, blackfin tuna catches ended up scattered.
Inshore: No Boats Out
Modern Citations:
Large Eye: James Baker of Mt. Holly Springs, PA – 81lb Wahoo
Joel Williams of Mt. Holly Springs, PA – 4400lb Wahoo
Attachment 208435Attachment 208434
Excellent Times: Kevin McKenna of Levittown, PA – 54lb Wahoo
Sunday, November thirteen, 2011
Offshore: Great catches of wahoo and yellowfin tuna, dolphin catches have been scattered. 1 Blue Marlin Launched!
Inshore: No Boats Out
Today’s Citations:
Bite Me: Atlee Compherof Hiltom Head Island, SC – Bue Marlin Release
Douglas Walsh of Laurel, DE – 62lb Wahoo
Excellent Moments: Leon Blount of Portsmouth, VA – 65lb Wahoo
Marcus Scott of Portsmouth, VA – 43lb Wahoo
Hatteras Fever II : Alvin Hall of Augurn, PA – 62lb Wahoo
Steven Carlyle of Zebulon, NC – 60lb Wahoo
Jeffery McAlister of Franklinton, NC – 40lb Wahoo
Hatteras Harbor Marina
P.O. Box 537
Hatteras , NC 27943
http://www.hatterasharbor.com
800-676-4939
Activity Fishing Discussion boards – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier report, Emerald Isle 11-16
As we method the center of NOVEMBER, the fish are just merely The following! ………… Congratulations to SAMMY JOHNSON (Clayton, NC)–3 lb. 15 oz. Puppy DRUM …………. BRAD WEBSTER (Martinsville, VA)–two lb. FLOUNDER ………….. J.Do. COBB (Reidsville, NC)–1 lb. 6 oz. BLOWFISH ………… DAVID MORGAN (Jacksonville, NC)–3 lb. five oz. Pup DRUM …………… ANGIE CUMMINGS (Burlington, NC) & PAM PARSLEY (Prospect Hill, NC)–2 lb. seven oz. & four lb. 5 oz. Pup DRUM …………… FELIPE VASQUEZ (Goldsboro, NC)–one lb. five oz. & one lb. 6 oz. SPECKLED TROUT …………… LESLIE JONES (Kinston, NC)–12 oz. & 12 oz. BLACK DRUM ………… AUSTIN NEWCOMB (Clayton, NC)–12 oz. BLUEFISH ……….. and BLAKE CUDDINGTON (Gainsville, VA)–nine oz. BLACK DRUM ! …………… BLOWFISH, SEA MULLET, Puppy DRUM, BLACK DRUM and BLUEFISH are coming up during the day, and we are viewing a couple of SPECKLED TROUT in the night! ……. The Water TEMPERATURE fell to 60* yesterday (many thanks Dr. Bogus [ ncoif.com ] ), and the surf is nonetheless searching great! ………… Will not forget about to select up your 2012 BIP Period pass just before we near on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27th! ………… You will receive a totally free GATE Crucial to fish on the pier after we near! …………. You will also be ready to get them by mail after we shut specifics to arrive! ……….. Stunning weather conditions forward for the up coming handful of days………… Come ON DOWN! ……………. MIKE STANLEY
SAMMY JOHNSON (Clayton, NC)–three lb. 15 oz. Puppy DRUM ….eleven-11-11
BRAD WEBSTER (Martinsville, VA)–2 lb. FLOUNDER ….11-twelve-11
DAVID MORGAN (Jacksonville, NC)–three lb. 5 oz. Puppy DRUM ….eleven-11-11
J.Do. COBB (Reidsville, NC)–1 lb. 6 oz. BLOWFISH
ANGIE CUMMINGS (Burlington, NC) & PAM PARSLEY (Prospect Hill, NC)–two lb. seven oz. & four lb. five oz. Pup DRUM ….11-eleven-eleven
FELIPE VASQUEZ (Goldsboro, NC)–1 lb. 5 oz. & one lb. 6 oz. SPECKLED TROUT ….11-13-11
Attachment 208436
LESLIE JONES (Kinston, NC)–12 oz. & 12 oz. BLACK DRUM ….eleven-12-11
AUSTIN NEWCOMB (Clayton, NC)–12 oz. BLUEFISH ….11-thirteen-11
BLAKE CUDDINGTON (Gainsville, VA)–9 oz. BLACK DRUM ….eleven-10-eleven
Attachment 208439
Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier
Emerald Isle, NC
252-354-2919
http://www.bogueinletpier.com/
Sport Fishing Community forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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Red Drum Tackle shop fishing report, Buxton 11-17
Properly we are back on line and the fishing is finding good with speckle trout , black drum, bluefish, and blowtoads. Sea mullet and pup drum are staying caught but not as a lot of as I would contact fantastic. A big drum was landed at the level yesterday together with some large sharks. Far more puppy drums are being caught down at Orcacoke than on Hatteras Island. Speckle trout are getting caught off Avon, guiding the motels, jetties, and on south beach front. A 27 inch striper was landed at the jetties previous week. Rumors of far more strippers being caught up north. In the audio, puppies and trout are becoming documented by the handful of fishermen doing work lures outback.
Dan
Tuesday fishing report by Dan
The trout fishing has slowed today, but the blow toads are thick on the south seashore. Some fishermen had to quit early because of to getting also a lot of blow toads to clear prior to supper. Modest bluefish and skates have been retaining the position hoping this afternoon. Weather conditions will cool off with the chilly front coming tomorrow.
Dan
Wednesday Fishing Report
Massive Sharks at the Level these days with more than one particular reel spooled. Black Drum documented from the seashores in Avon and one large Drum caught on the Avon Pier. A few tiny Specks caught at the jetties. Not as several Blowtoads as yesterday but there have been some great catches created on South Seaside. No boats out these days – Grumpy
Reddrum Tackle
Buxton, NC
252-995-5414
http://reddrumtackle.com/
Activity Fishing Community forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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