The New Hampshire Bass Federation kicked off the 2007 season on Sunday, April 29, with the annual Spring Open on Lake Winnipesaukee, out of Ames Farm. This year's Spring Open was sponsored by Barry's Bait and Tackle (Westboro Massachusetts). Barry's B and T is the local authorized dealer for Motorguide and Minn Kota trolling motor repairs. A total of 50 teams braved cold, rainy and raw conditions to shake off the cobwebs and begin another tournament year. Lake Winnipesaukee iced out just five days prior to the event and water temperatures ranged from 42°F in the Broads to 54°F in the backwater coves. Air temperatures struggled to get to 50°F in the constant drizzle. Lake water levels were at historic highs as the recent heavy rains had swollen feeder creeks and brought the main lake way up.
The 3:30 p.m. weigh-in brought many four fish limits, as expected, but tales of slower then usual spring fishing abounded. As predicted, smallmouth bass dominated the afternoon weigh-in with a few key largemouth mixed in. Going against the grain and bringing in three largemouth including the tournament lunker of 5.38 lbs. was the team of Alan Denise and Scott Canelas. Their winning creel stretched the scales to 15.14 lbs and provided a comfortable margin of victory. Scott and Alan targeted both species, switching back and forth throughout the day. All three of their largemouth bites came on black jig and pigs cast to shallow wood cover. Their lone smallmouth fell for a silver buddy in 18 feet of water. Their winnings included $1500, a tackle kit courtesy of Barry's B and T, plus two paid slots in the upcoming State Championship. They also received $250 for the lunker largemouth bass. A nice haul indeed.
Finishing in second place and collecting $1125 was the father and son team of Steve and Joe Lucarelli. The Lucarelli's weighed in 4 smallmouth bass for a total weight of 13.93 lbs. Included in their catch was a beautiful 3.90 lb. Smallie that turned out to be the lunker of the day and netted them another $250. Steve reported targeting bigger smallmouth with crankbaits and Silver Buddies. The duo worked rock cover in 15-20 feet of water and reported catching 12 keepers on the day. Steve and Joe wished to thank Profile Stateline Superstore for providing a loaner Ranger boat so that they could fish the event.
Third place went to the team of Bryan Dexter and Rob Morin who checked in with four smallmouth that weighed a total of 13.37 lbs. Bryan and Rob reported catching roughly a dozen bass on the day by targeting pre-spawn smallies over rock/gravel cover while switching between gold and silver colored œ oz. Silver Buddies. Third place in this event was worth $800 cash and a tackle prize kit furnished by Barry's B and T.
Finishing in fourth place was the Back Bay team of Dave Andrews and Scott Leppanen. They weighed a four fish limit of smallmouth bass that totaled 12.50 lbs. Dave and Scott targeted smallmouth in the 15-20 foot zone and utilized Ÿ oz. Silver Buddies. Their 4th place finish was worth $565.
The Granite State Bassmasters team of Dave Gagnon and Ray Nieuweboer checked in with 3 smallmouth and 1 largemouth bass that weighed a total of 12.48 lbs. They reported catching 8 keepers throughout the day and mainly targeted smallmouth bass with Husky Jerks, but utilized a Zoom Pumpkinseed colored grub in 15 feet of water to catch their kicker largemouth. Their 5th place finish was worth $330 and a Barry's B and T gift bag.
Finishing in the money were the following teams:
6th place: Charlie Audet/Dave Brown 12.47 lbs.
7th place: Mark Miner/Jean Columbe 12.46 lbs.
The team of Miner and Columbe were the highest finishing Ranger Cup competitors and thus earned a $500 bonus from Ranger. The team of Craig Richardson and Al Smith finished just out of the money with 12.16 lbs, but came away with $500 in the "First Losers Pool". A raffle that benefited the State Team was also held with the prize being a $175 St. Croix drop shot rod courtesy of Barry's Bait and Tackle. Jean Columbe was the lucky winner.
A total of 156 bass were weighed in on the day and all 156 were returned alive and kicking to Lake Winnipesaukee. Interestingly only 8 largemouth bass were weighed in, but they figured prominently in the bags of those that were fortunate enough to have one.
As always we appreciate the support of our NHBF/TBF sponsors: Special thanks to Barry's Bait and Tackle, our name sponsor. Also, Shimano, Castrol, Plano Molding Company, Northeast Prop Repair, Ranger, Yamaha, Minn Kota, 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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