The Westchester Rod and Reel Bassmasters 2006 Club Team Championship members Chris Gore, Bob Jorgensen, John Cannizzaro, Charlie Colisky, George Puskar and Rusty Paone set out for the St. Lawrence River/Thousand Islands region early Thursday morning. The team arrived at approximately 10 am and started the first practice day in search of both large and smallmouth bass. Weather and water conditions were just perfect. After a full day of practice, all teams reported excellent catches using various techniques including dragging tubes on shoals and ledges, as well as dropshotting.
Chris shows off a nice smallmouth.
Practice on Friday brought very different weather and water conditions as the front that would dominate the weekend’s weather arrived overnight. The morning run was somewhat rough but the teams arrived in the day two practice area and began the process of finding areas holding fish. But the teams reported that the front had slowed the fishing action and the rough seas and strong easterly winds gusting up to 20 mph made fishing difficult. The run back to Ogdensburg tested both man and machine. Teams reported that water conditions ranged between 2 to 4 foot seas with the last 7 to 10 miles producing some rogue 5 and 6 footers, some of which made there way into and over the tops our boats.
The first day of the tournament netted the team a combined weight of 47 pounds. Charlie Colisky led the team with a solid limit of both large and smallmouth bass totaling over 15 pounds.
Charlie displays two nice largemouths
Bob Jorgensen and Rusty Paone also brought limits to the scales and the other members of the team also contributed weight.
Day two of the tournament again brought difficult weather conditions with 25 mph winds out of the south and driving rain storms most of the day. Although the weather was difficult, two team members with a little help were able to adjust to the conditions and brought some big bags to the scales. Bob’s limit of smallmouth was nearly 19 pounds including a 5 pound smallmouth and John Cannizzaro fishing in the same area as Bob brought in 15 pounds of smallies. The team brought in approximately 48 pounds for a two day total of 95 pounds with Bob’s two day total of 27 pounds earning him the teams “high hook” title.
Final results were not available but the team believes that they finished in the top ten. The final finishing position will be posted when the New York Federation releases the results.
The team celebrated the event with a nice dinner Sunday evening and returned home Monday morning.
The team would like to extend its gratitude to the club membership for all of their support.
Next years Club Team Championship
will be earlier in the season next year at a location yet to be announced. Our
2007 team and alternates will be determined after the last points
tournament on
Good luck everyone.
Chris Gore
2006 Team Captain