The 20th annual Mercury King Buster 400..... wow 20 years..
The King Buster is part of fishing history in NE Florida. This year we made a huge change and relocated the event from St. Augustine to Beach Marine in Jax Beach.
What a great move that turned out to be.... the site was covered up with excited anglers!
The Captains meeting with 113 boat captains and crews was buzzing with anticipation!
While the captains and crews were out on the water chasing the big king, we held a Hook The Future Dock Tournament to inspire and encourage new anglers to become part of the sport we love so much.
Kids invaded the docks at Beach Marine with high anticipation.
Thanks to all of our helpful volunteers,
new experiences and big smiles ruled the day!
Yep.... what it's all about.....
Anglers were blown away at the prizes for the kids.....
"check out my new Salt Life back pack Mom!"
SouthPaw from the Jacksonville Suns even stopped by for some fun with the kids.
I'm so thankful for all of our big hearted volunteers making sure everyone had a safe and fun experience. There were a lot of good people who helped behind the scenes to make the King Buster a huge success.
I think he likes his new Salt Life back pack.......
Weigh in opens with a line of anglers holding nice fish.
A lot of nice fish! And they just kept coming.....
Captains report "they are all over the beach and chewing!"
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Summer Kick off Party hosted by Nippers!
On Sunday it was time for the 9th annual
Brian Dingman Memorial Junior Angler Tournament.
These kids know how to catch 'em.... and they did!
Weigh in was full of big smiles and Slimy 5's!
The entire site had a feel good buzz going as the kids just kept coming to the scales.....
Lot's of kids coming to the scales.
I love hearing them say, " Dad I got it, I want to carry my fish"
Families together having fun on the water, creating life long memories.... Good stuff!
Brian's tournament is held to remind people how important it is to take a step back, realize how precious life is and to truly enjoy each others company sharing a great time on the water.
Seafood Kitchen before collecting their prizes.
Every junior angler that weighed in took home a great prize package.
took home a Carolina Skiff JV15cc with a 25hp Mercury on a Float On trailer!
And the general tournament winners, Capt. Dennis Lagnador and the crew of the Easy-Duz-It, couldn't stop smiling from the time they laid their winning king on the scales Saturday to collecting the first place prize of a 177 Scout, provided by Beach Marine, powered by a 75hp Mercury on a Float On Trailer.... I'd be smiling too!
This year's Mercury King Buster 400 was a huge success with better participation than the previous five years.
We achieved the goals we set for the event.
To have a safe, successful, fishermen friendly general tournament.
To produce for our sponsors.
To introduce new anglers to the sport we all love.
To have a successful, social event within the King Buster to draw in the general public.
To have a fun day for the Junior anglers reminding us of how precious time on the water with our kids can be, and to raise funds and awareness for the Hook the Future Foundation, helping kids through fishing.
Thanks to all of the anglers, sponsors and volunteers for giving so much to this event!
The 20th annual Mercury King Buster 400 will not soon be forgotten.
Livin' the Salt Life,
Capt Don