With 465 acres, three interconnecting ponds and a posted 10 mph speed limit until 10:00 AM, Congamond Lake provided the perfect opportunity for topwater fishing! “I was sure our early 6:00 AM start and the overcast conditions would fill our livewell with topwater bass? But, it didn’t.” Were the words of one contestant as he and his partner carried their bass to the scales.

 

Known for harvesting some of the areas largest bass, Massachusetts Division USA Bassin anglers had high expectations for the fourth stop of five seasonal events. “Congamond holds the key for many of us to qualify for the 2-Day Regional Championship,” suggested Jason Shea. Shea and his Dad Kevin were leading the Angler of the Year race, entering the Congamond tournament.

 

Two flights and a full field of twenty-five teams idled out of the access cove. The weatherman tossed in a few curve balls just to keep the anglers honest. Hot, humid conditions, changed to rain, while a breeze with scatter clouds managed to make an appearance as well.

 

With over half the day passed and water skiers mixing up the water, a survey of teams proved Congamond was holding back from producing it’s normal big bags. “We only have one small bass in our livewell,” echoed Team ProCraft as they entered into North Pond.

 

As the first flight anglers arrived for the 2:00 PM weigh-in, it was obvious things had changed within the final hours of the tournament! Every team managed to carry bass to the scales, while half the field culled out a 5-bass limit. Team ProCraft, Tom Plezia and Ed Kelly took an early lead with 12.95 lbs., anchored with a 3.99 lb. Lunker. Their leading Lunker Pool Hog, was eliminated when Jason Swiantek, and his Mom Karen brought four bass to the scales weighing 12.79 lbs. “Mom land both of these big bass,” replied Jason as the weigh-master called out 4.80 lbs.

 

Eighteen bass weighing over three-pounds made it to the scales as the leaders board kept changing. Al Gagliarducci fishing with twelve-year old James Viet, took over the lead with 15.05 lbs. “This is James first bass tournament,’ said ‘Gag’s’. The team revealed they utilized, drop-shots, jigs, swimbaits and topwater during the day.

 

Approaching the scales Team Walker’s clear weigh-in bag revealed the leading Adult/Youth team had some serious weight! “We have both a smallmouth and largemouth to weigh for each Big Bass Pool,” whispered youth angler Kyle. Tipping the scales at 3.32 lbs. for their smallmouth, and then 5.17 lbs. for their largemouth Team Walker secured the Big Bass Pool for both categories. Team Walkers 14.59 lbs. landed them behind Boultin and Brease with 14.76 lbs.

 

Fishing out of his 1987 Ranger Bass Boat seventy-eight year old Charlie Jutras and his partner Andy Hurley were the last to weigh-in. Hurley chose his big bass to be weighed as a tiebreaker if needed. Weighing in at 3.97 lbs. the weigh-master place all five of their bass into the official scale bag. When the scales finally settled 15.62 lbs. locked in the winning weight.

 

“It was tough today, and by noon we only had three bass! However, Andy managed to flip some lily pads where he caught our big bass. We then concentrated on deeper weed edges and proceeded to use ‘Ole-School’ swimming worms to cull through to our final 5-bass limit,” revealed Charlie Jutras. (Jutras is a member of the National Candle Pin Bowling Hall of Fame and a highly respected angler throughout New England.)

 

In the race for Anglers of the Year, Team Shea faltered carrying only three bass to the scales. While Team Taylor’s 5-bass limited landed them only two points behind the new AOY leaders Chris Blais and Dave Dardanelli.