The New Hampshire Bass Federation (TBF) held it's annual Spring Open on Lake Winnipesaukee on Sunday, April 26, 2009. For the second year in a row, Center Harbor was the launch facility for the 53 boats that were in attendance on a beautiful early spring day in the Lakes Region. There were many smiles to be had as old friends gathered to start another fishing season and the mild temperatures and weather forecast seem to put everyone in a good mood. The morning launch went very smoothly, with several teams staying right by the lake at the Center Harbor Inn, which graciously offered anglers a special room rate for the night.
The morning takeoff featured a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures well into the 60's. High temps would top off in the low seventies, with a light to moderate NW wind. Lake temperatures fluctuated dramatically depending on location, as they always do this time of the year. Main lake temperatures were in the 43 to 45 degree range and some shallow backwaters had already warmed to 60-62 degrees. With an early ice-out and record breaking warm temperatures the day before the tournament, a lot of anglers were expecting big weights and a solid largemouth bite.
The crowd of competitors and onlookers that gathered for the afternoon weigh-in were not disappointed. There were several nice four fish limits weighed in early, but the show didn't really get started until the team of Kurt Damery and Jon Rogers dropped their catch into the tub at the bump board. Their limit of largemouth bass was solid, but one fish caused audible gasps by anyone within sight. The enormous fish dropped the scale to 8.14 lbs. and anchored an outstanding bag that weighed in at 17.92 lbs. The lunker largemouth is the biggest bass ever to be weighed in a NHBF tournament and one of the largest to ever be officially weighed from Lake Winnipesaukee. None of the competitors would come close to their final weight as they cruised to victory and a $1910 payday, which included $265 for lunker largemouth. Kurt detailed the team's strategy, which involved committing to fishing for largemouth all day with ? oz. jig/pig in green pumpkin color. The bite was slow, but steady all day as they worked rock and weed break-lines in backwater areas. The big bite came at 8:30 a.m. and was a fish catch that I'm sure neither angler will ever forget.
Second place went to the team of Jackson/Loubier who boated a very solid mixed bag of three largies and one smallie that totaled 14.95 lbs. Anchoring their catch was a beautiful 5.57 lb. largemouth bass. They reported catching only six keepers on the day, but obviously targeted the right fish. They worked crankbaits along rock and weed break-lines in 4 to 8 feet of water. Their runner-up finish netted them a check for $1170.
Finishing in third place with another mixed bag of bass was the Maine team of Martin Piacetelli and Craig Canton. Again, a big largemouth of nearly six pounds was the difference maker for this team. Their total weight was 14.51 lbs and was good for $900. They reportedly worked a big 8 to 10 foot flat with jerkbaits for their smallmouth limit and caught the big largemouth by pitching a jig under a deepwater dock.
Fourth place went to the team of Mark Anthony and Karl Ingoldsby who weighed in 14.39 lbs. Mark noted the team worked a drop shot rig with a Fish Bellies Hawg Shad in 18-20 feet of water for an early limit of smallmouth bass, then switching gears to flip and pitch for a kicker largemouth. They found the right bite late in the afternoon under a sun-warmed dock and boated a spectacular 7.16 lb. largemouth bass. The fish couldn't resist a ? oz. Booyah jig tipped with a plastic craw trailer. Fourth place netted the team a $580 payday.
Fifth place went to the team of Rob Morin and Brian Dexter who weighed in a straight smallmouth limit of 14.25 lbs. Included in their catch was the lunker smallmouth of the event, which tipped the scales at 4.24 lbs. Rob and Brian worked Silver Buddies in 15-20 feet of water along break-lines to catch 10 keepers on the day. Their fourth place finish was worth $370 with another $265 for the lunker smallie.
The following teams finished in the money:
6th place: Rivera/Lentine 14. 23 lbs.
7th place: Canelas/Denise 13.14 lbs.
8th place: Swett/Plouffe 13.12 lbs.
The team of Mark Anthony and Karl Ingoldsby were the highest finishing anglers in the Ranger Cup and earned an additional $100.
One hundred and eighty fish were weighed in during the event and ALL of those bass were released alive and well back into Lake Winnipesaukee. Fantastic job by the anglers and the tournament staff in handling the bass!
The NHBF wishes to also thank it's National and Local sponsors: Ranger Boats, Profile Stateline Superstore, Kittery Trading Post, Steele Hill Resorts, Chevy, Yamaha, Evinrude, Walmart, Solar Bat, Lowrance, Berkley, Castrol, National Guard, Minn Kota, Granite State Glass, Northern Bass Supply and Lil' Hustler Tackle. Very special thanks to Keepsake Quilting, Center Harbor Inn and the town of Center Harbor.
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