Kingfish Mayhem in Key West: Florida's Pro Marine and Alabama's LinedOut Triumph

The Kingfish Mayhem Tournament in Key West wrapped up on Jan. 14 with a sensational showing from teams Pro Marine and LinedOut. Captain Jim Naset's Pro Marine, hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, snagged the pro division title with a stunning 84.4-pound kingfish combo. Kevin Hannon, a key player on the team, reeled in a hefty 47.8-pounder on day one and a 36.6-pound catch on day two, approximately 75 miles west of Key West.

Naset shared, "Day One had us optimistic, but it's never over until it's over. You're always biting your nails at the weigh-in line." Their strategy? Trolling with bluefish near Fort Jefferson. The rules were clear: weigh one fish per day or two on the first, with the heaviest combined weight taking the crown. By day two's end, Pro Marine's total clinched their victory.

Over in the open division, it was LinedOut from Alabama's Mobile area who took the spotlight. Captain Mitch Mosley, along with Sandy Royster and Lawrence Spellmeyer, landed a 51-pound kingfish, dominating the open division. "We hit our stride early, and Royster’s catch sealed the deal," Mosley said. This wasn't their only achievement; they also ranked third in the pro division with a 30.3-pounder from day one.

A special shoutout goes to 16-year-old A.J. Anderson from Glenville, Georgia. Competing as the top junior angler, his 39.5-pound catch was a tournament highlight. Anderson fished alongside Captain Casey Hunt on the Get Bent, marking a memorable win.

This year's tournament drew an impressive fleet, with 39 teams in the pro division and 46 in the open. It was a display of skill, strategy, and a bit of oceanic luck, setting the bar high for next year's angling aficionados.