Three fish topping the 60-pound mark were weighed in during the Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) National Championship at Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi, Miss. in November.
Coastal Angler contributor and two-time SKA Angler of the Year Clayton Kirby and Team Vengeance won the Open Division with a two-fish total weight of 95.02 pounds. Kirby, his long-time teammate Everett Cameron and Steve Pittel fished together on Vengeance, a 34’ Mercury-powered Fountain. They were fishing more than 88 miles from Point Cadet, pulling baits with bright skirts in about 200 feet when they caught what turned out to be a 47.92-pounder and a second 47.10-pounder. Later, at the scales, the weighmaster put on a good show in the last weigh-in of the day as Vengeance’s second fish to the scales edged out the victory over second-place Mas Pescado, which weighed in 94.22 pounds.
Mas Pescado, a 37’ Yamaha-powered Freeman, was captained by Billy Freeman. He fished with Trent Caulder, Brock Sandish, Jeb Buckner and Ross Holmquist, slow-trolling big hardtails and mullet to catch a 47.80 and a 46.42.
Hail Yeah/OIFC weighed in a 86.96-pound two-fish total weight to win the Small Boat Division. Speedgoat, which also fished the Small Boat Division caught one of the 60-pounders of the week. It weighed 60.06 pounds.
The Pro Tour winner, Sweet Carolina III, out of Green Cove Springs, Fla., absolutely killed it, weighing in an astounding 122.94-pound aggregate. This was a first in SKA’s 24-year history. The Mercury-powered 38’ Donzi SF owned by Ron Hildum boated two kings weighing 62.58 and 60.36 pounds. They were slow-trolling ribbonfish, mullet and blue runners. The team consisted of Brad Patterson, Mike Syrakis, Matt Everett, Alan Kumm and Caroline Hildum.
For complete results, see www.fishska.com.
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