SOUTHPORT, N.C. – Day one of the Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour event in Southport was a major disappointment for most of the 89-boat field. The only trouble is, day one may have provided anglers the best chance for a sizeable catch. The main culprit of the early struggles is easterly winds. Unfortunately, Friday’s forecast calls for virtually straight easterly winds which could completely shut down the bite.
Making a 40-mile run in rough seas was Team Nailhead, who led all comers with a 42-pound, 9-ounce king on day one, which they caught in the early afternoon.
Team Papotanic didn’t experience the success that Nailhead did, but they were happy with what they accomplished. Coming into this event, Papotanic was 40th in the points and they knew they needed a fish to punch their ticket to Charleston, S.C. On day one, they weighed in an 18-pound, 2-ounce mackerel that put them in 19th place after the first half of the opening round.
That fish probably ensures them a birth in the championship, but Capt. Bill Platt wouldn’t mind stumbling on to something bigger today.
“We’re going to stay around here and try to upgrade,” said Platt, the Dickinson, Texas, native. “I think a 30 would put us in the top-five cut.”
Many teams made the 120-mile run north to Morehead City, N.C., only to come back empty handed. Fishing the river channel and keeping lines in the water might be the best plan at this point. Yesterday Papotanic went with the pogie-program to land their catch. The plan today is to mix in a few blue runners to try and attract bigger fish.
“Fishing here on the East Coast is tough; it’s not like Texas or the Gulf. We’re used to catching 30 or 40 kingfish a day. This wind makes it even tougher. The current goes one way and the wind blows the other and it shuts down the bite. Even with the east winds I think there will be a couple 30s caught today.”
Opening round ends today
The opening round ends after today’s weigh-in. The field will be cut to the top five, based on the heaviest single fish over the first two days, and will advance to Saturday’s final round. The winning team will be determined by heaviest two-fish weight, combining the opening and final rounds.
At stake in Southport is a potential $100,000 payday for the winning team. The total purse for the event is $330,000.
The scales open at 3 p.m. Eastern time Friday at South Harbor Village, located at 4909 Fish Factory Road, with official check-in time at 5 p.m. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 1675 N. Howe Road in Southport beginning at approximately 4 p.m.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 61 degrees
Expected high temperature: 77 degrees
Seas: 4-5 feet
Wind: ESE at 8 mph
Maximum humidity: 63 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy