BILOXI, Miss. — John Holley and the Invicta team held on for the win Saturday at the SKA Kingmaster 100 Invitational with their 57.1-pound kingfish, caught Friday, the first day of the two-day tournament.

"We were really nervous all day today," Holley said. "We had heard that there were several boats that had 50-plus-pound kings aboard, and we thought we might be bumped into second or maybe even third, but it didn't happen so we're really
happy with that."

The team accepted its $50,000 first-prize check Sunday at the breakfast awards banquet held at the Isle of Capri Casino and Resort in Biloxi. The team fishes from a Mercury-powered Donzi 32, based in Destin, Fla., and named in honor of Holley's father's first fishing boat.

"We used to be called AJ's Bimini after our major sponsor, but decided to change the boat name earlier this year, and so far it's been a lucky name," Holley said.

Bob and Julie Clement's fish from Friday also withstood a late onslaught Saturday to remain in second place. The 401 (k) team nailed a 50.2-pounder to
win $28,000. The 401 (k) is based out of Pensacola, Fla.

Randy Comans and the St. Petersburg-based team on the Voyager caught the biggest fish on Saturday, weighing in a 47.9-pound king mackerel. They compete from a triple-Mercury powered ProLine 34, and wound up in third place, worth $19,000.

Neil Nix and Danny Marsocci on the Sake' also weighed in a 47.9-pounder, but the fish was brought in after Voyager's catch. The Sake' took fourth. Sandy Smith's Gatorbait rounded out the top five in the Kingmaster 100 Invitational with a 47.4-pound kingfish caught Friday. The Gatorbait is out of Ft. Pierce, Fla.

The Isle of Capri Casino and Resort proved again to be a world-class tournament facility. Two kings over 50 pounds were landed during the weekend, as were 11 more in the 40-pound range. For more information on the Kingmaster 100 Invitational, contact the Southern Kingfish Association at (912) 466-9434 or check the SKA website at www.fishska.com.

Top 10, Kingmaster 100 Invitational



  1. Invicta, John Holley, 57.1 pounds

  2. 401 (k), Bob Clement, 50.2 pounds

  3. Voyager, Randy Comans, 47. 9 pounds (on time)

  4. Sake', Neil Nix, 47.9 pounds

  5. Gatorbait, Sandy Smith, 47.4 pounds

  6. Blue Runner, Chris Blackwell, 47.3 pounds

  7. Crawfish, Kenny Crawford, 45.6 pounds

  8. Mom's Worry, Clyde Keen, 44.4 pounds

  9. Exterminader, Randy Nader, 42.4 pounds

  10. Cat Daddy, Danny Mathis, 41.2