OnBoard Magazine - Issue XII - 2020 Season

TOURNAMENT FISHING RULES The Knot Done Yet required three months at Bluewater Yacht Sales to prepare her for fishing tournaments in 2018. Simultaneously, other preparations and considerations had to be addressed with the various tournament committees. Most rules did not allow any type of electric reel for angling, only for teasers and dredges. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Hatteras Marlin Club and the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament boards all amended their rules to allow electric reels in 2018. This action welcomed people with disabilities, letting them fish billfish tournaments while also showing the tournaments’ support for the disabled. When many of these rules were established originally, rules committees believed that an electric reel was an advantage. They now understand that an electric reel, especially for someone with a disability, can be a huge disadvantage. The rod stays in the rod holder no matter where the fish moves. In many cases, because no one else can touch the reel, the angler might or might not be able to adjust the drag throughout the battle. For 2019, the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament amended its rules to authorize the use of electric reels for angling. These decisions will hopefully spur other tournament committees to permit electric reels, allowing anglers with disabilities to fish any tournament within the United States and beyond. NO “I” IN TEAM Fortunately, I was able to spend some time with the members of the Knot Done Yet team and fish with them during the 2019 Big Rock tournament. “You will never hear the word ‘I’ come out of Perry Nichols’ mouth,” Jones says. “He has been blessed in his life and has been blessed with an amazing group of friends—not crew—but true friends that travel and fish with him.” Everyone on the team is on the same page, doing everything they can to make memories with Nichols. Those who tournament fish understand that although there are many boats and even more people, the community is quite small and extremely helpful. While on board Knot Done Yet , I witnessed the most perfect example of brotherly love that I’ve ever seen. Jones does not leave Nichols’ side while on the boat and provides for his every need. Make no mistake, while he is fishing, Nichols is no different than any other angler, 100 percent focused on watching the water and the baits. As he says, “Don’t talk to me while we’re fishing.” Not that he won’t speak, it’s just an example of that laser focus. In addition to Jones, Nichols’ mate and captain couldn’t be a better match for the Knot Done Yet . Capt. Mark Rogers is experienced, with an excellent reputation for putting anglers on the fish as well as patience, maintenance and going above and beyond to do whatever needs to be done to ensure a great day on the water. Mike Adkins is a tenured mate with the same attitude and personality as Rogers. His attention to detail regarding baits, tackle maintenance and anything Nichols might need for fishing is second to none. If you happen to be fishing a tournament and see Knot Done Yet on the docks, I would strongly encourage you to stop by and talk with Perry Nichols or any of his friends. You will walk away a better person. O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9 5 3 M A R L I N M A G . C O M any tournament within the Uni NO “I” IN TEAM Fortunately, I was able to spend the Knot Done Yet team and fis Rock tournament. “You will never ear the wo mouth,” Jones says. “He has been blessed with an amazing rue friends that travel and fi team is on the same page, doi memories with Nichols. Those who tournament fish are many boats and even more small and extremely helpful. witnessed the most perfect exa ever seen. Jones does not leave and provides for his every nee fishing, Nichols is no different cent focused on watching the “Don’t talk to me while we’re fi it’s just an example of that laser In ddition to Jones, Nichols bett r atch for the Knot Done rienced, with an excellent re the fish as well as patience, m beyond to do whatever needs t on the water. Mike Adkins is a t tude and personality as Rogers. baits, tackle maintenance and fishing is second to none. If you happen to be fishing a Yet on the docks, I would stron talk with Perry Nichols or any a better perso . ABOUT THE AUTHOR Capt. Tom Southwar waters of North Carol has been a contributin resides with his family Simultan ously, other preparations and considerati ns had to b addressed with the various tournament committees. Mo t rules did not allow any type of electric reel for angling, only for teasers and dredges. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Hatteras Marlin Club and the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament boards all amended their rules to allow electric reels in 2018. This action welcomed people with disabilities, letting them fish billfish tournaments while also showing the tournaments’ support for the disabled. When many of these rules were established originally, rules com ittees believed that an electric reel was an advantage. They now understand that an electric reel, especially for some- ne with a disability, can b a huge disadvantage. The rod st ys in the rod holder nomatter where the fishmoves. Inmany cases, because no one else can touch the reel, the angler might or might not be able to adjust the drag throughout the battle. For 2019, the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament amended its rules to authorize the use of electric reels for angling. These decisions will hopefully spur other tournament committees to MAR0919_F-HAN_Fishing is No Handicap.indd 53 KNOT DONE AT ALL! Nichols, Capt. Mark and crew have been busy translating everything they've learned aboard his first retrofitted Viking into a bigger, badder Knot Done Yet; a brand new Viking 72C. Bluewater Partner Earle Hall snapped these photos on a visit to the factory in early May 2020. The finishing touches are being put on now at the Viking factory in New Jersey prior to delivering to Morehead City, North Carolina where they hope to immediately compete in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament! 21 2020 SEASON