Charles River 6/11
Article By Jim Marino
12th Annual NEPVA/AEBA Charles River Bass Tournament
Newton Yacht Club Brighton, MA
Saturday June 11, 2011
Cloudy skies with on and off showers didn’t deter the anglers that showed up for this year’s edition of the Charles River NEPVA bass trail event. As the anglers checked in they were met with coffee and donuts provided by the Newton Yacht Club members. The angler also received a Charles River tournament fishing towel and tee shirt while awaiting the pairings and loading of the boats by the Nam Knights of NH…
The volunteer Boat Captains were made up of members of the BASS Federation Nation of Ma., Me., NH., and Ct. along with members of the TBF of Ma. Coming from Me was Boat Captain Fed Nation President Steve Wilson and the BASS Federation Nation of NH’s Gary Clawson. NEPVA volunteers kept the launching operations running smoothly, as they helped with launching, parking of rigs and also the morning registration.
First timer Dave Grace started out from the Finger Lakes region in New York with thoughts of what have I gotten in to. After arriving Friday evening at the host hotel in Woburn Ma., and talking to the other anglers that were staying there he figured he made the right choice for spending this weekend in Boston fishing on the Charles River. Little did he know that being paired with boat captain Mike Goodspeed of Dedham would make his trip worthwhile as they fished their way to the winners circle. .
3rd Place went to the team of John Peterson of Boston Bass and Paul Reed with 5 fish for 6.12 lbs. John and Paul tricked the bass into biting with Yamamoto Senco’s and jigs, targeting bridge’s and old pilings as they worked their way up and down the Charles. John and Paul fished together last year and came in 2ed place
2ed Place went to the team of Jerry Ramasci and Larry Harris with 5 fish for a total weight of 7.36 lbs. Jerry and Larry used Berkley Chigger Craws, spinnerbaits and senco’s around the islands and reflecting pools near the Hat Shell.
1st Place was taken by Mike Goodspeed and Dave Grace with a limit weighing in at 12.17 lbs. Mike and Dave fished a 100’ concrete, rock and gravel area that Mike knew the fish would move in and out of. They stayed on this spot going back and forth using drop shot rigs, tubes and senco’s to come up with a nice limit and pretty much bent their rods all day guarding the spot and improving their weight.
The Big Fish Award went to Dave Grace and Mike Goodspeed with a nice Charles River Largemouth weighing in at 3.64 lbs. Dave and Mike had a great day on the water together and Dave said he will enjoy his drive back to NY with lots of good memories taken from this tournament.
The NEPVA Bass Trail would like to thank their Charles River sponsors:
The Newton Yacht Club and its members, Mass BASS Federation Nation, TBF of Mass., TARGET of Meriden Ct., Tournament Force Tackle, Northern Bass Supply, Gary Yamamoto Baits (www.baits.com), Skeeter Boats, Milton CAT, Ride Away, Larry’s Woodcraft, Nam Knights of NH. and a very special thanks to Steve Wilson who came down from Maine to be a boat captain.
NEPVA Bass Trail Tournaments are totally FREE to ALL participates and open to all individuals with disabilities whether veterans or non-veterans! Individuals interested in fishing the tournaments may contact Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine @ 1.781.935.2480. As a non-profit organization the tournament trail is funded only by generous donations from its sponsors, with all sponsor donations being tax deductible. For information on becoming an NEPVA sponsor, contact Tiny or the NEPVA office @ 1.800.660.1181.
