The only kicker of the first 2009 club event edges Marc Hamel's win on BIP.

Story by Rob Frye

[Results] [Standings] [Photos]

Bubba Bassin Club started their first tournament for the 2009 trail on Big Island Pond in Hampstead, NH. The lake is comparably smaller than the rest of the scheduled waterbodies but it was a good place to start. It’s not a bad idea to start the season on a smaller waterbody. For boaters especially, it’s a chance to deal with any issues that may arise for the first event of the year. In fact, there were issues that surfaced dealing with bad batteries, live-well issues, and even some motor issues. Better to have these issues on a smaller water body than getting stuck out in the middle of no-where on a big body of water.

The water table level at BIP was still low but it was sufficient for the 64 anglers that came out to play. The water temp pretty much stayed constant around 50 degrees with the day mixing it up with sunny but mostly cloudy skies. The weather reports were expecting some rain at some point during our 2009 club season opener. The whole day was very comfortable with no real rain delivered except for a tiny sprinkle during the weigh-in.

Registration in the morning was very sufficient and speedy thanks to the tournament directors, Reggie Goulet and Rob Frye. Dave Tsao, who we will dub our Registration Director was the real ingredient with his experience and welcomed volunteership. Registration completed right on time around 6:45. A short pre-tournament meeting was given out on the water to go over some final game rules. It was great to see all the bass boats, old friends and newbies ready to go. We were ready to send-off with an expected return time at 3:15 PM back at the beach of Sanborn Shores Campground, our event HQ.

During the tournament there was some boat-talk being traded on how difficult the bite was. Very normal for the early Spring tournaments. Lots of movement from our competitors through-out the day moving from spot to spot and trying to figure out the best pattern, or just begging for the next bite. The assumption going on was who ever could find a kicker was going to win this one. Someone was going to get it right and come out on top.

The time had come and it appeared that we had some early Exit’ers that pulled out early. Its all about the points to some, so even if you didn't have fish, everyone earned points for just being present. The points will get tallied up at the end of the year for the club champion, as well as second and third. The standings will be based from the best 7 out of 10 events. So in essence, you get 3 drops - if you care about the points. So every fish counts going forward. You may not have a limit, or you may not cash a check, but you do earn points for every fish weighed in.

After the weigh in completed we had 31 anglers weigh in 47 largemouth and 3 smallmouth for a total of 87.89 lbs.  That averages about 1.37 lbs per angler for the whole event. Definitely, not a boat load of fish. Granted only 19 anglers could muster up a 2 fish limit; it was still fun and good to be out on the water. We are also pleased to report that all fish were caught and released alive by the end of the event.

Taking the very first crown of the year was Marc Hamel with a final weight of 6.47 lbs. His two largemouth also included the tournament largemouth lunker that tipped the scales at 4.78 lbs. Marc caught his first bass at 7:15 and had his limit fish just before 9 AM. He ended up catching about 10 fish for the day using mostly a Rocky Ledge vibra bug spinnerbait. His non-boater, Eric Re also did very well catching about 10 fish for the day. Marc caught his lunker on a red lipless crankbait in very shallow water. Most of their fish were in 3 to 4 feet or less, and some only in about 6 inches of water. Congrats to Marc Hamel on the first win of the year. Just to think, Marc was very close to buying a brand new Skeeter boat last year. If he had, he would have had another $3000 check thanks to the Skeeter Real Money program. Instead, he is still happy to be taking home a $600 check. Not a bad day for only paying $20, and then getting a 3000 percent return.

Victor McNary took second place with 5.14 lbs of largemouth. Victor had 3 keepers all day which he caught his first two around 10 and 11 AM. The last one was his biggest that came 14 minutes before the end of the tournament. Victor was throwing shallow running crankbaits and finesse shad in 2 to 3 feet of water. He pretty much targeted shallow water for the whole day. Victor took home $180 for his second place spot.

Coming in third place was John Diaco who brought in 2 largemouth weighing in at 5.03 lbs. John spent his entire day searching for a jig bite in shallow water. He was seen hitting multiple spots, multiple times through-out the day. He's known for burning some fuel. John did well catching about 10 keepers including his first two within the first half hour of the event. He said most of his jig bites were deeper than normal. For most of us in Bubba Bassin, we always know to watch out for John who recently returned from the TBF Divisionals and was crowned the State Champion on Winnipesaukee a couple of years back. Today he walked away with the last regular pay-out spot with $120.

Rich Lavoie was also a happy camper catching the tournament's lunker smallie. His smallie was caught on a silver suspending jerk bait in 4 feet of water. He had a great fight on his 10 lb test spinning gear that reeled in the 2.18 lb keeper. That was his 3rd and final keeper of the day but it was worth it netting him $300 for the smallmouth lunker award.

60 paid entrees were to be split up between the top 3 places and the lunkers. 4 free entries were alloted for the TD's, Dave Tsao (our Registration Director) and to our 2008 Member of the Year, Mike McNamara who has a Free Entry for the rest of the 2009 club season. The final check to be awarded was for the optional First Loser's Pool. This pool goes out to the first angler who didn't cash a check, so properly dubbed, “First Loser”. Josh Lane was happy to be the first loser netting him almost $300. Josh caught 6 keepers with his first fish coming around 7:30 and then getting his limit by 9 AM. Josh fished with a black jig and a breem colored spinnerbait. Most of his tackle was thrown with a baitcasting rig sporting 17 lb test mono.

At our first event we also gave out door prizes including a Free Entry that was won by John Diaco. Congrats to Mike Day for winning the Closest Guess for Winning Weight. This was a question posed on the Bubba Bassin Bulletin board with the winner getting a $20 Dunkin Donuts gift card. Eric Re won a NH waterbody map book donated by Freshwater Guides of New England. Thanks to Grizz Baits and Beans Baits for their donations to Bubba Bassin which were rewarded to Dave Tsao and another lucky angler (that I can't remember at this time ;-)

Our next club event takes us to the Nashua River in Nashua, NH on May 2nd. We look forward to seeing everyone there and thanks again for all those who participated in our season opener. And if you couldn't make it to this one, maybe at the next!

Quit Wishin, Go Fishing!!!