How a spur-of-the-moment decision led a Murrells Inlet duo to a big-time fishing win
Sometimes spur-of-the-moment decisions work out the better than the best-laid plans.
Capt. Robby Remson and mate Calvin Springs of Carolina Hook and Line had a charter trip set for last Saturday aboard Long Run out of Murrells Inlet canceled, even though the forecast called for tranquil seas.
Remson and Springs knew the 50th annual James Island Yacht Club King Mackerel Tournament was being held down the way in Charleston Harbor, and they had a decision to make – take a day off from a hectic summer or fish the tournament.
“When the charter canceled and it was going to be pretty, we made a last-minute decision to do it and it paid off,” said Remson.
The duo fished the tournament aboard Long Run, a 33-foot Onslow Bay, and weighed in a 40.35-pound king to win the event over a field of 72 boats.
Remson and Springs, both of Murrells Inlet, started their day at Georgetown and found bait, which had recently been scarce, outside of Winyah Bay. With plenty of great baits — five-inch plus menhaden — for smoker king mackerel in the live well, they headed offshore on a perfect sea.
“The ocean was beautiful, as calm as it gets,” said Remson. “It usually goes the other way.”
They wound up fishing on a bottom spot about 40 miles southeast of Georgetown in 100 feet of water.
“We pulled up and were putting the second line out and caught a fish, 30 pounds,” said Remson. “We had made an agreement if it wasn’t 35 pounds we were going to let it go.”
Catching a large king right away on a spot can be either a good or bad omen in king mackerel tournament fishing, Remson said.
“It’s either the biggest fish on the spot or there’s a good class of fish there,” said Remson.
They had their answer a little later when Springs was the angler on an estimated 28-pounder.
Springs was the designated angler, but Remson wound up being the angler on the winning fish.
“Calvin was hooked up with a fish, and we left one bait out there,” said Remson. “(The winning) fish ate while we were hooked up, so I got to be the angler for once.
“it was a standard king bite, but I could tell it was a bigger fish. It made a good run and I worked it back to the boat. It made four runs, but just little spurts, The bigger fish do that. That told me it was a bigger fish.”
Springs gaffed the fish, which they estimated to weigh in the upper 30s to near 40 pounds, and they quickly got the king on ice.
“You catch a 40-pounder in a tournament in South Carolina and you take your butt home, you’re done most of the time,” said Remson.
But it was only 9:15 a.m. and the scales didn’t open until 3 p.m. back at the James Island Yacht Club.
They continued fishing until almost noon, and then checked out the fish again.
“We measured it, right before noon, and I said ‘Calvin, we need to go,’“ said Remson.
The duo arrived in Charleston Harbor around 2 p.m. and milled around for an hour before the scales opened.
“Three other boats were waiting to weigh in, and that made me nervous,” said Remson.
But Remson and Springs were the first to weigh in their fish, immediately took the lead and didn’t relinquish it.
Long Overdue was second with a 37.40-pounder followed by Cash Money (35.5), Team Xtratuf/Net Profit (34.30) and Reel Nice (33.65) to round out the top five.
The grade of fish was excellent in the tournament with 16 kings at 30 pounds or heavier weighed in.
Tournament director Pete Ferrara noted the tournament was scaled back from a planned celebration of the 50th annual event, thanks to the presence of COVID-19.
“We wanted to get back to a little bit of normalcy,” said Ferrara. “We felt it was important to have the tournament and let everybody get out and fish. We didn’t have the band, the food, all the activities. We plan to have a big blowout next year.”
For full results visit www.JIYC.org.
CCA Star Tournament
The Coastal Conservation Association Star Tournament, currently ongoing in South Carolina, is based around 60 slot-size red drum released in estuaries by a CCA SC tagging team along the Palmetto State coast.
The objective is for CCA SC members to enter the tournament, and join the race to become one of the first two anglers to catch one of the tagged red drum. The prize for each of the first two anglers to catch one of the tagged redfish? A brand new 22-foot bay boat/motor/trailer package from Sea Hunt Boat Company, Yamaha Motors, and Wesco Trailer.
Bryce Lyles of Sumter was vacationing at Folly Beach and was fishing in the Folly River, just inshore of the barrier island. During his week at Folly Beach, Lyles caught two of the red drum tagged for the CCA Star Tournament, tagged fish No. 52 and No. 55.
Unfortunately for Lyles, he was neither a CCA SC member nor registered in the tournament. Lyles, fishing with his dad, could have won both boat-motor-trailer packages worth a total of $86,000.
“I have heard of CCA but was not familiar with the STAR tournament,” said Lyles. “I was completely stunned when I was told what the tags represented. You can believe my dad and I registered right after we got off the phone. If you are fishing in saltwater in the state of South Carolina and aren’t registered for STAR, let me tell you that it is not a good feeling if you catch one of those tagged reds. You can bet I’m going to be back out there looking for one.”
The STAR Tournament is now in its fourth year in South Carolina and has been conducted by CCA in three other states including Florida, Louisiana and Texas.
“We want anglers to win these prizes, and we really feel for Bryce and his family, but what an unbelievable fish story they have now,” said CCA SC Executive Director Scott Whitaker. “There are several people in Texas, Louisiana and Florida who have caught tagged reds without being registered, signed up immediately afterward, and eventually caught a winning fish, so there is hope.
“We’ve had fish caught every year of the tournament, all with great stories of anglers just missing the prize, but the same angler catching two tags is a new one for me. It is simply unheard of – I know I’ll never forget this one, and I bet he won’t either.”
The CCA SC Star Tournament presented by Sea Hunt Boat Company runs through October 4. For more information, visit www.joincca.org/startournament.