KingfishConnection.com: How’s fishing Texas different from all the other locations that king mackerel tournaments are held?
Captain Bill Platt: Over here it's kind of like fishing in Biloxi, but you have to run a little further to the good spots. The average run is maybe 70, 80, 90 miles. Sometimes we will run 140, 150 miles one way.
What is the typical structure that your team can be found fishing on? And what are some of the locations that an out of towner should be looking for on a chart where they can get into a decent bite?
We fish a lot of live bottom areas. Some other teams fish a lot of rigs, like in Biloxi or Venice, but that is kind of new to the game here. All the good fish that we have caught, 9 in the 50’s, have come from live (bottom) spots. Live bottom areas. Regarding out of towners, you can look on the Hilton Charts and find some solid numbers. If someone is really interested in fishing a tournament over here I will help them out and sometimes even fish side by side with you.
What's your bread and butter bait for the hogs over there in Texas?
Always big blues (runners), sometimes ribbon eels though. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also great to have here.
How much prefishing will your team do for a typical divisional tournament?
A day or 2 usually, I will generally have a clue where the fish are before prefishing.
When prefishing do you make the 100 mile run that you are planning on doing in the tournament? And are you guys focusing more on getting bait or keying off on the fish?
I charter fish a lot in summer and have been fishing here so long I that know where the fish will be. Fish are generally in the same place that they were at last year. Might move around a little, but not much. Just key on bait, that's what's real important.
How important are skirts and other accessories to the kingfish action over there? Which do you guys use come tournament day?

I use skirts on everything. I have some rigs without skirts, but most of our rigs are with 'em. Do I stick with one color? No. But do I have a couple favorites? Yeah. I like chartreause, pink, and black. All big fish haven’t been on one secret color though. Just come off all different colors.
What’s the biggest advantage of having a big boat with incredible range? (36 Contender with triple Yamaha 300’s.)
It’s always rough over here. In our boat it doesn't matter if its rough, I'm going fishing. When it's calm though, like this year, everyone has a shot. The rough weather really gives us an advantage. And if we weren't with Yamaha we wouldn't be running. Couldn’t ask for anyone better on your team.
Papotanic had yet another great year in Division 8, what separates you guys from all the other teams?
I have lived down here my whole life. Started charters back in 1990, and knew all these spots that produced kings. We then found out about these kingfish tournaments and it was a perfect fit. It all went hand in hand. I also know a lot of buddies that are commercial fisherman, which is a huge help when locating some fish. We can talk back and forth finding new spots.
Will Papotanic be fishing either the SKA or FLW Pro tour next year?
We will be fishing Division 8 and the FLW tour.
Would you guys like to see a Pro tournament, or atleast more credit going to the Texas anglers?
I think there are teams over here that can compete with anybody. We don’t travel more and fish other divisions because they are so far away. I have heard that in 2006 there might be an FLW over here in Galveston, and some big fish will be caught, by everyone, including Texas teams.
Many teams are interested in the whole sponsorship scene. What advice can you give them and what has helped your team the most?
Well, I think pushing the product you are using and winning with it is key. We also had an article with Saltwater Sportsman magazine a couple months back. Our sponsors really liked that and other stuff like that. Get your name out a lot more, get it on everything and anything. I also fish with Keith Warren on his television show 3 or 4 times a year. Check out his site, he has a full listing on when you can see it. www.keithwarren.net and check out our site www.papotanic.com. I would also like to give a special thanks to Mike Dixon, Chuck Butler Aurther Hughes and all the Yamaha Staff.