The New Hampshire Bass Federation held it's final Open event of the 2007 season on Lake Winnisquam in Laconia NH on Sunday, October 14. At stake, besides the prize money, were the year-end awards for Team of the Year and Angler of the Year. Twenty-six boats braved 20-25 MPH NW winds and cold temperatures to take on the stingy, but stocky smallmouth bass that Lake Winnisquam is known for. The teams blasted off into 39F air temps, a mix of sun and clouds, and freshening Northwest winds. Lake temperatures ranged from 59F to 63F.
Fishing was not projected to be very good considering the post-front and blustery autumn conditions and the low weights that the Bubba organization found during their event on Saturday, but come 3:30 pm weigh-in, many boats checked in with outstanding limits of smallmouth bass. Leading the charge with 8 smallies for an astounding 24.92 lbs. was the team of Mark Miner and Jean Columbe. Mark reported enduring a slow morning of fishing, followed by fast action when the team moved off the break line and found schools of big smallmouth in 35 feet of water. The winning pattern included a drop-shot rig and Berkley Power Leaches. Their big day paid off with a first place prize of $966, plus two paid entries into the 2008 STQT, and they also took the $500 Ranger Cup bonus. Quite a haul!
Second place went to the veteran Ranger team of Dave Swett and Mike Plouffe who checked in with 7 smallmouth and 1 largemouth bass that stretched the scales to 21.84 lbs. Mike and Dave threw green pumpkin colored Yamamoto Hula-grubs on a Ÿ oz. Football jig over scattered grass in 15-20 feet of water. They had just 9 keepers on the day, but were obviously on the right sized fish. Their second place finish earned them $760. Dave had a little color back in his cheeks and endured the blustery conditions just fine. Not bad for a guy that was dead the week before!
Third place went to the team of Bob Savoie and Mike Keane who brought in 8 smallmouth bass that weighed a total of 19.33 lbs. This veteran NH team earned $575 for their days work. Work it was, as they caught only 8 keepers by working a drop shot rig and a Carolina-rigged Lizard through scattered grass in 20-35 feet of water.
The fourth place team, and the first losers was the team of Dave Debellis and Eric Bouldin. They utilized Carolina-rigged green pumpkin lizards and drop shot worms to catch 15 keepers that weighed 19.31 lbs. Their loser pool payout was worth $240.
Lunker Largemouth was caught by the team of Bruce Acox and Rob Frye and weighed 5.29 lbs. Lunker smallmouth weighed 4.27 lb. and was caught by Rick Landry and Keith Snider. Each lunker was worth $120.
A $5 launch fee was collected from all boats and proceeds were donated to the TBF Junior Anglers.
Every bass weighed in was returned alive and well to the deep water of Lake Winnisquam. Another outstanding job of fish care by anglers and tournament officials of the NHBF.
The weigh-in was held in the south end of Lake Winnisquam at the Anchorage on the Lake Cottages in Tilton. Anchorage on the Lake is located in the south end of Lake Winnisquam and was an excellent facility to hold a weigh-in. There was ample room to dock the boats and the owner Peggy supplied free coffee and donuts to all the competitors. Next time you need a place to stay in the Lakes Region, check them out on their website: http://www.anchorageatthelake.com/
The year-end awards turned into a heated battle as three teams came into the event in contention for the 2007 NHBF Team of the Year. It turned out to be the closest competition in NHBF history. When the needle stopped spinning and all the points were tabulated, a three-way tie for Team of the Year was announced. Sharing honors for 2007 were the teams of Mark Miner/Jean Columbe, Dave Swett/Mike Plouffe and for the third consecutive year, Dave Andrews and Scott Leppanen. All three teams will earn Trophies to be handed out at the Banquet and free entries into two NHBF Opens in 2008.
There was also a close battle for NHBF Angler of the Year, with Federation President Rob Frye edging out Dave Andrews and Alan Denise to take the honor. Rob, who was also the Club Angler of the Year, will enjoy a full year of free entries ($490) in 2008.
The NHBF had a great year in 2007 and we would like to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support of our organization: Shimano, Castrol, Minn Kota, Plano Molding Company, Northeast Prop Repair, Ranger, Yamaha, Quantum, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Powerbait, Northern Bass Supply, Keep Alive, Mepps/Mister Twister, Lil Hustler Tackle, J&D Screenprinting and Embroidery, Tournament Force, Rocky Ledge, National Guard, Aqua View.
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