Good night tonight. Kiddo turned 5, had cake at the beach and second cast got a striper on a popper. Decent schoolie, jumped completely out of the water twice for the kiddos and I swear I heard him yell "Go Team Jackal!".
So we're only a couple days away and we have a few more boats in. The Vegas boards have been lighting up with action so we will see how things change. The big variable is the location. Word on the street is a big bite off of Barnstable and also big fish hanging deep off of Chatham. I know we'll catch heat again on location, but tourney is open to anywhere on the Cape.
Here is one bad boy caught today (location unknown). This is another winning fish if these babies can hold to Sat.
So we're only a couple days away and we have a few more boats in. The Vegas boards have been lighting up with action so we will see how things change. The big variable is the location. Word on the street is a big bite off of Barnstable and also big fish hanging deep off of Chatham. I know we'll catch heat again on location, but tourney is open to anywhere on the Cape.
Here is one bad boy caught today (location unknown). This is another winning fish if these babies can hold to Sat.
For the boats, there a few that continue to battle for top spot on the Vegas odds. Some of the leaders are below (forgive any spelling errors as my dad typed these over to me) -
Team Jackal is 275-1 but we just got off our pre-tourney conference call and actually went to 300-1 based on the call. From the call we had 2 of the 5 crew skip the call, we have 1 of the 5 potentially switching boats, and we still are not really sure what the strategy is so it's a long shot. I will say Capt is in the mix mentally more than in years past, so who knows. If we can get him more than his typical 30 min of sleep we may be in there.
Then we have the Burnie Bros. Two brothers, two cabs home. They have the boat, the location and the experience but chemistry and attitude are way off so they're off the board.
Team Charlotte E. is always a dark horse. 10 year tourney vet - 1 second place finish, and we know how Capt Rob prepares. He has gone dark on us the past few days so we know he's up to something. He still has Greg on his boat so that should drag him down, but he could be in the mix. Fast boat, trailerable, and great new finder, and the tools are there.
Then there is Team Powe. Drama. City boys chartering Ernie and Jeff on Ocean Effects charter. This is a past tourney winning crew (somehow) but they have had more crew switches in the past 10 years. than anyone in history. This year, and I am not joking, it came down to a drawing contest to see who got the final spot. Drawing. For one challenge they had to draw myself and my brother. The winning drawing is below. Not a bad Blinkie but I do take exception to the Capri pants. Either way, you have to respect the competitiveness where they battle to even get onto the team, even if it's in weird ways like this.
- Reelaxin - the Sundquist family and defending champs are the favorites until someone takes them down. We know they can fish. And we know they are mobile. With the fishing being spotty who knows where they will end up, but they are top dog until dethroned
- Perfect Catch - Capt Tom Szado is obviously a repeat Headhunt champion/legend and with his veteran crew they are always in the title hunt.
- Shanti - another charter Capt - Tom Birch - and another ex-champion. I grew up fishing on the Shanti - boat is awesome - and these guys will always be in the hunt. Not 100% sure if they're paid up, but they should be based on their odds
- Team Buffalo - second place finishes last year with Capt. Austin Proudfoot, but a little late drama (or a wedding commitment) has a last minute Capt switch in the mix. Capt gives these guys a good shot, although their Buffalo losing heritage should balance that out a bit
- Lindsey Gale - Billy Hatfield had a tourney record (at the time) 39 lber a few years back to win so he is definitely in the mix again as well
Team Jackal is 275-1 but we just got off our pre-tourney conference call and actually went to 300-1 based on the call. From the call we had 2 of the 5 crew skip the call, we have 1 of the 5 potentially switching boats, and we still are not really sure what the strategy is so it's a long shot. I will say Capt is in the mix mentally more than in years past, so who knows. If we can get him more than his typical 30 min of sleep we may be in there.
Then we have the Burnie Bros. Two brothers, two cabs home. They have the boat, the location and the experience but chemistry and attitude are way off so they're off the board.
Team Charlotte E. is always a dark horse. 10 year tourney vet - 1 second place finish, and we know how Capt Rob prepares. He has gone dark on us the past few days so we know he's up to something. He still has Greg on his boat so that should drag him down, but he could be in the mix. Fast boat, trailerable, and great new finder, and the tools are there.
Then there is Team Powe. Drama. City boys chartering Ernie and Jeff on Ocean Effects charter. This is a past tourney winning crew (somehow) but they have had more crew switches in the past 10 years. than anyone in history. This year, and I am not joking, it came down to a drawing contest to see who got the final spot. Drawing. For one challenge they had to draw myself and my brother. The winning drawing is below. Not a bad Blinkie but I do take exception to the Capri pants. Either way, you have to respect the competitiveness where they battle to even get onto the team, even if it's in weird ways like this.
Keep spreading the word and some of Team Jackal will be out on the water Friday if anyone is out and wants to talk shop. Hit us up and we can do some pre-fishing collaboration and/or trash talk.
Last thing, and most important. Every year we give a little $$ to someone in the community. That is what this tourney is about. Past Headhunt winner (below with a sweet fish from today and he better tell me where) Jeffrey Craig has a sick kiddo. I haven't met him, but from what I've read and seen online, kid is tough as nails. We don't have much, but will be giving $500 to support Sawyer (Supersawyer) Craig and his fight against Leukemia. We don't make a big deal out of this because it's not about us, but I'm hoping Jeff and Sawyer can swing by Sat. Either way we have a few bucks - and obviously some Headhunt shirts - coming their way.
Last thing, and most important. Every year we give a little $$ to someone in the community. That is what this tourney is about. Past Headhunt winner (below with a sweet fish from today and he better tell me where) Jeffrey Craig has a sick kiddo. I haven't met him, but from what I've read and seen online, kid is tough as nails. We don't have much, but will be giving $500 to support Sawyer (Supersawyer) Craig and his fight against Leukemia. We don't make a big deal out of this because it's not about us, but I'm hoping Jeff and Sawyer can swing by Sat. Either way we have a few bucks - and obviously some Headhunt shirts - coming their way.
