Reel Hooked takes top prize

After weighing a 38.32-pound king mackerel Saturday, the crew of the Reel Hooked fishing team out of Beaufort became extremely interested spectators as the final boats weighed their catches in the 15th annual Key West Boats Fishing for Miracles King Mackerel Tournament.

Each time a fish registered more than 30 pounds, Shane Hicks and his crew held their breath, not exhaling until the scales settled and their fish remained in the top spot. And finally, around 4:30 p.m. they could breathe that sigh of relief as they captured the $25,000 top prize.

In addition to Hicks, the Reel Hooked fishing crew included his wife Jill and their son Tyler, along with David Watson, Kathy Watson and Guy Talley.

"I just happened to be there when the rod went off," Hicks said of the fish, which was caught around midday. "The fish (jumped) all of the lines. We thought we were in trouble."

The crew had fished out of Beaufort on Friday and weighed a 19.94-pound king, but because of the price of fuel they elected to fish just off Charleston on Saturday.

Second place went to first-day leader Smoke Chaser, captained by Steve Cross of Savannah, who boated a 37.03-pound fish by himself. His other crew members were unable to fish on Friday. Cross earned $7,500 plus $3,000 for the largest catch aboard a 23-foot or smaller boat.

The second-largest payday of the tournament, $17,530, went to the Summerville boat Eren's Addiction Too, which finished fifth overall with a 35.96-pound king mackerel worth $1,000 caught Friday. That fish also earned another $1,000 for lady angler Eren Bracewell, $500 for the early entry award and second place in both the 23-under division and second in the tournament within a tournament heaviest fish, worth $2,000 and $5,130. Eren's Addiction Too caught a 35.53-pound king Saturday for an aggregate total of 71.63 pounds, earning another $7,900.

Another five-figure payday, $11,550, went to Little R&R, captained by Rick Driver, which finished fourth overall with a 36.17-pound king. The overall finish was worth $2,000, and they added $1,000 for the top fish caught aboard a Key West boat and $8,550 as the top catch in the optional tournament within a tournament heaviest fish competition.

OVERALL

1. Reel Hooked, Capt. Shane Hicks, 38.32 pounds, $25,000; 2. Smoke Chaser, Steve Cross, 37.03, $7,500; 3. On The Brink, Kelley Clements, 36.65, $5,000; 4. Little R&R, Rick Driver, 36.17, $2,000; 5. Eren's Addiction Too, Jack Bracewell, 35.96, $1,000; 6. Four Sons II, William Gressette, 35.73, $750; 7. Seadaze, Michael O'Neale, 35.31, $500; 8. Nacho Momma, Thomas Hutto III, 35.20, $500; 9. Fin Stalker, Chris Chavis, 34.94, $500; 10. Iron Man, David Ballard, 34.64, $500; 11. Bitta Sweet, Stuart Harkins, 33.69, $500; 12. Dirty Work, Joe Wells, 33.40, $500; 13. Pole Dancer, Ted Weitzner, 33.04, $500; 14. Raisin' Hayes, Michael Hayes, 32.92, $500; 15. G's Toy, John Dunn Jr., 32.60, $500; 16. Fish Hunter, Melvin Knight Jr., 32.50, $500; 17. My Last Boat V, Jamey Kampmeyer, 31.83, $500; 18. Bow Movement, Jim Sherrer, 31.63; 19. Reelin', Marc Pincus, 31.42, $500; 20. Team Winners World, Ralph Turner, 31.16, $500; 21. The Blue Bull, David Tom Berlin, 30.95; 22. Sunchaser Charters, Andy Winter, 30.91, $500; 23. BeerAbility, Dow Suggs, 30.70, $500; 24. Knothead, Doug Hoover, 30.46, $500; 25. Pole Dancer, David Hartness, 30.24; 26. Reel Hot, David Carter, 30.14, $500; 27. Gas Money, James Lane, 29.88, $500; 28. Mad Banana, Clinton Chamness, 29.87, $500; 29. HammerDown, Monty Bates, 29.77; 30. Speedgoat, Dean Hinely, 29.55, $500.

Lady Angler: Eren's Addiction Too, Eren Bracewell, 35.96, $1,000.

Youth Angler: On The Brink, Phillp Bowdle, 36.65, $1,000; Nacho Momma, Madison Hutto, 35.20, $500; Iron Man, Lee Cannon Ballard, 34.64, $300; BeerAbility, Cole Suggs, 30.70, $200.

Early Entry: Eren's Addiction, Jack Bracewell, 35.96, $500.

Key West Boats: Little R&R, Rick Driver, 36.17, $1,000; Bow Movement, Jim Sherrer, 31.63, $500.

23-Under Class: Smoke Chaser, Steve Cross, 38.32, $3,000; Eren's Addiction Too, Jack Bracewell, 35.96, $2,000; Seadaze, Michael O'Neale, 35.31, $1,000.

Tournament Within A Tournament Largest King: Little R&R, Rick Driver, 36.17, $8,550; Eren's Addiction Too, Jack Bracewell, 35.96, $5,130; Four Sons II, William Gressette, 35.73, $3,420.

Tournament Within A Tournament Aggregate: Eren's Addication Too, Jack Bracewell, 71.63, $7,900; Sunchaser Charters, Andy Winter, 59.06, $4,740; Bitta Sweet, Stuart Harkins, 58.59, $3,160.