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Massachusetts Regional

Monday, October 15, 2012

After a great regional dinner-registration-meeting at Senors Ponchos, twenty Regional competing teams prepared for the first day of competition on Lake Zoar, with a good nights sleep. Weather forecast predicted air temperatures in mid-high twenty degree range for the 7:00 a.m. start, with sunny conditions and mid-afternoon highs in the fifty degree range. Frozen hydraulic lines, hard starting outboards, broken gear-drive linkage, frozen compartments and ice covered decks called for slow moving cautious hook-sets in the early morning. Yet the enthusiasm echoed by the multi-layed clothed teams could be heard throughout the river valley!

Eventual Day#1 Leaders Mike Caudle and Courtney Caras utilized their trolling motor as they waited for their hydraulic steering lines to thaw. "We had several spots close to the ramp," replied Caudle. Indeed they did within minutes of take-off the Massachusetts Top Male/Female Team placed two bass in their livewell. "Once, our steering lines thawed we headed north to our smallmouth area." Landing the Day#1 2.96 lb Lunker smallmouth, Caudle and Caras added one more crankbait bass to their creel, giving the Day#1 leaders four bass totaling 8.33 lbs.

Just shy of two-pounds behind the leaders Doug and Matt Eriquezs four-bass tipped the scales at 6.65 lbs, heading into Day#2.

Connecticuts Tournament Director and Divisional Champions Jamie Verab and Dave Tokarz, idled in third place with 6.26 lbs.

While the rest of the teams were separated by pounds and ounces, the leaders board revealed six teams failed to carry a single bass to the scales. Massachusetts Regional Contenders Bill ONeil and John Millets single 2.55 lb largemouth bass managed to win the Day#1 Largemouth Bass Lunker Pool.

Fifty degree air temperatures greeted the start of the Day#2 Competition, as water temperatures continued to register sixty to sixty-two degrees.

Scrambling up and down Lake Zoar most teams spent the day running and gunning. A quick view of their boat decks revealed a large variety of rigged and ready rods, covering the entire water column. That is except for Team Bartus! "We basically are working slow moving plastics and drop-shot baits along a deeper contour line," said Greg Bartus. Brother Joe Bartus added, "Our outboard drive linkage is broken and we can only go in forward gear! So we are relying on our trolling motor totally. Im working the shallow areas and Greg is working his baits along the deeper contours." Their patience would pay-off when the scales were officially closed.

As the first flight assembled for the drive-thru weigh-in, the sun finally managed to break through the clouds and air temperatures soared into the mid-sixties. Nine teams did'n manage to land a single twelve-inch keeper bass, and this included Day#1 Leaders Caudle and Caras! "We did not have very many bites today and the few we did have were all short bass!" However, in every tournament there is always at least one team that unfolds the secret to catching lock-jaw bass. Unable to catch a fifth keeper bass Massachusetts Team Bartuss four-bass tipped the scales at 7.23 lbs giving the likable brothers a total of 10.17 lbs for a third place Regional Championship finish.Team Bartus colleted $400.00 and USA Bassin Plaques.

Connecticuts Steve Panaromi and Brian Pedalino was the only other team to carry four-bass to the scales on Day#2. "We certainly had our opportunities but failed to execute!" Still they managed a fourth place overall finish and $300.00 for their efforts. 

On a day when bass bites were few and far between two Connecticut Teams managed to fill-out their five-bass limit, and even cull! Claiming second place with eight-bass for two-days Jamie Verab and Dave Tokarz weighed an even 7 lb limit on Day#2. The Connecticut Divisional Champions 12.76 lb two-day total edged out Team Bartus by over two-pounds, but failed to capture the Regional Championship. Still Verab and Tokarz collected $500.00 and USA Bassin second place plaques.

Crowned the Massachusetts Regional Championship Title Doug Eriquez and son Matt, revealed how they tallied a five bass limit of smallmouths, anchored with a 4.5 lb hog. "Today we culled several times, as we targeted suspended bass. Our technique was simple........locate schools of bait fish with bass and then run Alabama rigs through the school!" Their single day total of 13.02 lbs alone would have won Team Eriquez the 2-Day Regional Championship! Collecting $800.00 for first place another $100.00 for the smallmouth lunker pool, USA Bassin first place plaques and The Bass Bureaus largest 5-Bass Limit Plaques, the humble father and son team graciously accepted their awards.

Massachusetts Divisional Championss Team Taylor won The Bass Bureaus overall Largest Largemouth Bass plaque. Their 3.03 lb largemouth bass won the Day#2 Largemouth Bass Pool along with $100.00.

The Grizz Baits Regional Championship Plaques in the Adult/Youth category came down to a mere eight ounces! Team Gasbarros two bass on Day#2 weighed 3.53 lbs, while Team Belle-Isles big smallmouth tipped the scales at 2.99 lbs. Everett Gasbarro and son Jacob carried home the wooden engraved "Grizz Baits Plaque", while Jim Belle-Isle and son Jonathan also earned a beautiful "Grizz Baits" plaque. (www.GrizzBaits.net)

Thanks to all of the dedicated Massachusetts Regional sponsors, payouts in cash and prizes were handed down to 100% of the field! "ALL Twenty-Teams", won products donated by USA Marine, WileyX, Grizz Baits, Bio-Edge, Andys Custom Bass Lures, Reaction Strike Baits, Skinny Bear Bass Lures, Bass Boat Saver, Fish-Grip, Castaic Baits, Northwoods Sporting Journal, Bizz Baits, Optimum Baits, ima. Lures, and The Bass Bureau. Congratulations to all twenty teams.........and Good Luck at both the Nitro Classic and Tracker Cup on Kentucky Lake in May 2013.

God Bless and Best Bassin Bill Decoteau