Here at Blackwater, we love to get feedback from our pro-staff and customers a-like on how our product is performing for them. It’s always a treat when we get that feedback almost instantaneously. It was only last week when our pro-staffer Mike Domeyer of Team KingFisher called up the office for his yearly take of our Shockleader Fluorocarbon. We are always excited for this yearly tournament because we know that Mike and the rest of the team are always sure to rock it out there in Newport Oregon.
Check out their press release below as well as some awesome pics to match!
OREGON TUNA CLASSIC
@
Newport Oregon, June 22, 2011
Well, the 2011 tuna tournament season has officially begun for Team KingFisher, with the first stop of the season in the history books. The event was the 7th annual Newport stop and only the 2nd time in the same period that the weather allowed for the tournament to actually go forward and fish. Of 42 registered teams, 32 actually made it to the start line to brave the elements. Of those 32, 19 made it back with fish to weigh in, including Team KingFisher.
Weather:
True to Newport form it was a rough one on the ocean requiring enduring 9-10 foot seas. The NOAA forecast dropped in the evening to
“N wind 14 to 18 kt. Patchy fog. WNW swell 6 ft at 9 seconds. Wind waves around 3 ft.”.
This proved to be close to the actual conditions. We at times saw larger wind waves on top of the swell which made it challenging to run our set of gear.
Gear:
After a tough 3 hour journey we arrived on station and threw gear. The winds and swell only allowed for a limited # of rods and required setting up a unique presentation. After experimenting we settled on a combination on surface presentation and deeper diving plugs.
Results:
After pre-fishing on the day before and finding a dozen medium grade fish, we were confident that the same area would hold those fish and set out for that position.
With the challenging conditions, exploratory fishing was not an option and the team had to rely on the previous days results to produce. With the North wind blowing all night the conditions did not exist as they did the previous day. With our time being limited due to the 2.5 hour run home we had to stake our success on station and play our cards.
Unfortunately, it was not enough for a podium finish and in the rough conditions we produced 3 fish. With a sprint at the end we crossed to finish line with only 3 minutes to spare. By completing the day, Team KingFisher gained 22 IGFA qualifying points and currently sits #19 in the points standing for the OTC.
The event was a great success and we are fortunate to complete 2 days of offshore fishing accident free and with more experience under the belt. One close call ended well. Our team mascot Kaeley, our 11 yr old Chesapeake Bay Retriever sustained a life threatening injury due to the rough conditions, and had to be rushed to surgery upon reaching the dock. After an extensive operation she is recovering quite well and we are reminded of the fragility of our pursuits highlighting our priority to safety while offshore.
The tourney was great fun, with great friends and a chance to demonstrate the use of great products. With the first tourney behind us we move to our next event at our home port of Ilwaco, WA on August 6th. The team has had a shake-out and are primed and ready for a top showing. Stay tuned.
Mike Domeyer
Team KingFisher
If you want to catch some beaut’s like Mike and his team be sure to rig up the same style components they were. Team KingFisher loves our Hollow Braid to Shockleader Fluorocarbon setup. It’s the perfect combination to land em’ every time! Be sure to go to our e-store and pick up some for this season now!
-Team Blackwater