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It's tough to lift focus from the incredible fishing we're experiencing right here at Ocean Isle Beach, but I must remind everyone about the Traveling Fisherman trip planned for this winter.  The return trip to Panama fishing the renowned and pristine Hannibal Banks in February just became more attractive.  See the press clip below.  In short I spoke with Captain Donald of the Coral Star and he explained the Coral Star operation was getting a major facelift.  They have rebuilt and repowered all the boats, purchased the latest and greatest tackle and have hired several new Captains with a wealth of billfishing experience.  The Coral Star operation has improved upon their already impressive offering and I can't wait to go back to Panama.  If anyone has interest in this trip please check out http://www.oifc.com/panama_09.cfm or email me at captbarrett@oifc.com.  If this thing is going to happen we need to get our group together over the next few weeks. 

Tight Lines...
September 2008	Volume 11, Number 3                                       M/V Coral Star Newsletter
Contact Us for More Information or Current Availability Today! Call Toll-free 1-866-924-2837 or via e-mail at  info@coralstar.com                   To unsubscribe, please reply to this message and in the subject line type "unsubscribe"	Two Great Fishing Names Merge Together to Provide an Outstanding Fishing Experience!   Chatsworth, CA – AVET Reels announced today that it has purchased controlling interest of the M/V Coral Star of Panama.  The M/V Coral Star is a live-aboard fishing and diving operation with a fleet of seven sport boats that operates in Panama's Pacific waters surrounding the Coiba National Park and Hannibal Bank.  It is the only operation in the area that keeps anglers on the fishing grounds with quick access to the fertile fishing of the Hannibal Bank and the many offshore islands. Exciting new changes are already underway to maximize our anglers’ fishing and lodging experience. “We are looking forward to an outstanding year of fishing and service, each of these areas will see changes designed to improve the overall fishing experience,” Sarkis Alajajyan, co-owner of AVET Reels stated. In Panama, the crew is busily working to implement these changes and updates prior to the season. Harout Alajajyan added, “AVET and the Coral Star are a perfect match, both strive to land big fish and deliver a quality product and excellent customer service!”  "The best possible chance to land big fish is if lines are in the water, therefore our itinerary will remain the same.  Weather permitting; we anchor several days at Montuosa Island, that’s the closest anchorage to the Hannibal Bank. Montuosa Island is where you need to be for the Marlin and big Yellowfin bite." said Captain Donald Perkins.  "By being out at Montuosa, you are 5 minutes from fantastic, world class fishing. Our hardcore anglers recognize this and an hour boat ride to and from the most productive fishing grounds every day just isn't acceptable.  Add all that up over a 6 day charter and the Coral Star gives you over 12 hours of additional fishing time over a land based operation."  Captain Donald added, "Coral Star is the only ship in the area that is equipped to safely anchor at Montuosa Island at this time.” For a complete update on happenings in Panama or to secure your booking for an unbelievable fishing adventure, call today!  Season begins in December.

I just received a report at 10:15 am from Captain Roger who told me the bait is off Holden Beach and the King bite is on  just off Ocean Crest Pier and the Youpon Reef.  Roger has a full day charter and Brant has a charter so I hope to have a full report on the day's action later.

Wayne Gray stopped but and said he went out by himself yesterday on his  '08 McKee Craft and killed the Kings just beyond the white buoy at Ocean Crest Pier.  He said the fish were skying all around him.  Wayne said his total of Kings for his weekend was 27.

Captain Chris Dew (It Works) had a charter Saturday with Drew Hager and some friends (Chris is so old he couldn't remember the other names).  Chris said that he'd never seen the Kings sky like they were that day.  His charter wanted to Grouper fish as well as King fish and they were catching Kings while Grouper fishing. The fall bite is definitely in full swing.

Also, everyone check your email for our specials we are running.  We have some really good buys, not only on clothing but also on fishing related items.  Mrs. Juanita, our Web Store Manager has just shown me how to link to the Web Store for our specials.

I just recieved a picture of an incredible kingfish, caught this Saturday at the Jungle by Nick Ryder.  Nick was fishing on "The Shark" with Capt. Ken Walter.  This fish went 42 pounds and 54 inches.  Even though the crew of "The Shark" wasn't entered in the US Open, some paydays are about more than money.  What a fish!!!

Kevin and Pam Wilson of Tega Cay, S. C. joined Captain Roger for a day of King fishing aboard the OIFC 2 Contender. Roger didn't have to look for bait, as there were plenty of Pogies in the newly built OIFC bait pen.

The crew headed for the Youpon Reef and worked it and some other holes pretty steady.  The fruits of their labor were two nice Kings.  Some other boats fishing in the same areas were all landing Kings.  Honestly, the bite was off today, especially after such a hot weekend.  Brant was out today but I haven't  talked with him.  I'll keep you posted.

Captain Kyle (Speckulator) reports that the Flounder and Red Drum bite is on. On his last 2 trips he's had success with both.  Kyle hasn't worked Tubbs lately and has had his good fortune in the ICW.

Captain Jeff Williamson (Get Busy) has got into the King action near shore.  He struck gold just off of Shallotte Inlet with enough Pogies to share with our other charter boats.  He then went on to the Youpon Reef where he hooked up on a monster King.  His charter fought the Smoker about 30 minutes, only to have him break off at the boat

Will Grey stopped in this morning just packed full of King stories.  Will fishes a beautiful 2008 28 foot McKee Freedom powered by twin 250 Yamaha's. Kee McKee is a friend of Will's and has a place at OIB so I thought I throw in a little plug for him.  But no kidding that is some fine boat.

Will went in the direction of the Frying Pan Tower to some numbers given to him by Kee McKee.  We decided to name the spot the Kee Hole in honor of Kee.  He loaded up on B liners using a Sabiki Rig and then proceeded to tear up the Kings.  One fish rolled on a B liner and proceeded to strip his reel.  His partner, who was operating the boat was busy getting lines in so he didn't follow after the fleeing King, and the fish stripped his reel and broke off.  Often, all the reels were screaming.  He said it looked cool to see line pealing off and moisture flying off the reel.

Will said one King weighed 30 lbs. and the "one that got away" would have probably checked in at 50 lbs.  Of course, at the time he wasn't in the Rodeo.  He'd made the top of the leader board. if he had been

Lastly, his fishing partner is a civilian contractor who works on Black Hawk helicopters.  He is deploying to Afghanistan shortly.  We wish him and all our freedom fighters God's Speed.

In short, the Kings are here, and in a big way!  I was fortunate enough to fish with Capt. Brant, Capt. Barrett and Jeff Beck in the U. S. Open King Tournament.  There were literally hundreds of boats King fishing and the majority were landing Kings. Now that the Tournament is over, I can identify the hot spots.  They're everywhere!  The hottest of the spots seemed to be the 390's, Youpon Reef and later in the day the river channel.

Our day began with Brant making a stop in an area where the birds were diving and the water was active with life.  Jeff and Barrett began casting top water Gotcha Plugs with their spinning reels and were bringing in Blues hand over fist.  They already had some Pogies.

We then rocketed to the River Channel on BRANT'S new 32' Yellowfin.  This is one beautiful and great riding machine, and with the twin Yamaha 350's we had no trouble getting from fishing spot to fishing spot quickly.  We fished the Channel and had little luck.  Brant then lit the candle on the Yellowfin and we headed to another spot.  We fished so many places that I can't recall what we caught where.

By mid day we had landed about a dozen or so Kings, but not the one we felt would place high in the Tournament.  Then Mother Nature smiled down on us.  We saw a Brown Pelican laying on it's side in the ocean.  We all decided to back burner our trolling and see what was wrong.  Barrett piloted the Yellowfin, while Jeff and Brant scooped the bird from the water.  They found that she was tangled up in fishing line and had treble hooks in her wings.  Brant removed the hooks and line while Jeff  held the bird.  They then sat her back in the water and off to freedom, sore maybe, but free.

It was shortly there after Brant landed a 30.7 lb. King.  (pictured below) Unsatisfied with our fish, but satisfied that we'd done the best we could, we headed to the weigh in.  The River channel was boiling  like a washing machine.  A boat with four 250's blew bast us on the flat ocean, but when we got in the River Channel, the Yellowfin brought smoke, while others were having to slow down greatly.  If this sounds like bragging, it's coming from me, not Brant.  That boat is awesome!

Back to business.  We had Pogies, Mullet and Blue Fish.  We had our best luck on the top water with Blues.  We had absolutely no action on the down rigger.  To sum it up, the Kings are here, the weather is great and the bait plentiful, today I had reports of bait at the Shallotte Inlet and Tubbs Inlet.  I had a blast fishing with this talented and knowledgeable crew and hope you enjoyed my version of Friday's action..