Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By RICK FRAZIER
Published April 24, 2005

MADEIRA BEACH - Team Mega-Bite with Chris Clark, Nicole Virgin, Arron Flynn and Mat Riggs weighed a 40.56-pound kingfish to win the 12th Annual Old Salt Fishing Foundation's Spring King of the Beach Kingfish Tournament Saturday.

Mega-Bite caught the 40-pounder on a bluerunner in 50 feet off Anna Maria Island worth $10,000.

Team Comfortably Numb with Becky Smith, Eric Smith, Justin Smith and Jake Smith had the lead in three divisions for the first part of the weigh-in. Justin weighed 35.82 in the overall division, Becky 27.92 in the women's division and Jake 26.92 in the youth division.

"This was the second king I caught today," said Becky, who won $500. "The first one I caught was bigger than this one I weighed, but it was eaten by a hammerhead shark."

Jake also held on, winning $300 in prizes.

Team Outer Limits with Erik Gyurkovic, Jeff Johnson and Travis Andrews won the single-motor division with a 29.26-pound king. Gyurkovic was 25 miles west of John's Pass when it hit a bluerunner on a flat line. Outer Limits earned $3,000.

Coming in 25th place with a 17.56-pound king was Team Red Net Noc with Caanan Ames, James Malz, Paul Swink and Marty Mayes. Usually finishing 25th means little, but for this tournament Red Net Noc won a new 16-foot boat, 60 horsepower motor and trailer.

Amy Verdensky of the Old Salts reported that 285 teams entered with 71 kings weighed, five of more than 30 pounds.

Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at 727 510-4376 or via e-mail at captainrick@luckydawg.com

[Last modified April 24, 2005, 01:03:20]