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HERE ARE THE
RESULTS AS REPORTED
BY OUTDOORS WRITER BILL HILTS JR.
Hastings Wins NRAA Bass Classic -
Andy Hastings of Grand
Island found two smallmouth bass lurking off Sturgeon Point in Lake Erie
that weighed nine pounds, eight ounces to win the 21st Annual Niagara
River Anglers Smallmouth Bass Classic last Saturday. He was using shiners
to target bass on the drop off from 18 to 40 feet of water, marking spots
as he caught fish. He was quick to point out that he couldn't have done it
without his net master Alex, his 13 year old son, and his
girlfriend Lynn Foremiak of Grand Island. Included in that two fish
total was the big bass of the contest, a five pound four ounce lunker.
A total of 61 adults were registered for
the event, as well as two kids. As a result, after the expenses were paid,
Hastings won more than $650 for the day.
There was a tie for third place in the
bass contest - Brendan Walsh of Niagara Falls, fishing with Mike
McGrath of the Falls, brought in two fish tipping the scales at nine
pounds, one ounce. Dave Muir of Sanborn, fishing with his wife
Kathy, matched that same weight with two fish.
Second place? I [Hilts Jr.] was
fishing with Frank Campbell in Lake Erie and Frank laid it on the
line by offering up a bet on who could catch the biggest fish - lunch.
Don't dangle a chicken wing in front of me like that. It works for skeet
shooting; it works for other individual skills. For the second time in a
row, I've beat Campbell for big fish on the boat and this time it turned
out to be a five pounder. Coupled with a four pound two ounce fish caught
earlier in the day, my total was nine pounds, two ounces. While it was
nice placing second in the NRAA event, it was just as much satisfaction to
out duel the local bass wizard. I know it will come back to haunt me, but
it's worth it.
Incidentally, Walsh was the highest
ranking local who was a co-angler in the recent Bassmaster Elite Series
Tournament held in Buffalo a few weeks ago. My apologies for not doing a
better job covering that event in this column, but the Masters Walleye
Circuit was a priority because it was held in Niagara County and I
assisted in its coordination. Sorry about that. Walsh finished tied for
fifth with a total of 34 pounds, five ounces. Tim Braun of Buffalo
finished in seventh with 34 pounds, two ounces. David Ottman of
Oswego was second place with 37 pounds, three ounces. Leading co-angler
was Robert Suhr of Roscommon, Michigan with 38 pounds three ounces.
He earned $50,000 for his efforts. Dan Kaszubski of North Tonawanda
was just outside the top ten in 11th place with 33 pounds, three ounces.
| ADDED NOTE BY Mark D., ODN: The
weigh stations were consolidated into one after it was discovered
the two scales that were to be used were not compatible. The day
before the contest, all participants were notified of the change by
telephone of this and the scales were manned at the Niagara Active
Hose Company where the awards and party was held. The Classic
continued without a flaw. Because of a two
fish limit per person rule, all fish entered were cleaned and eaten
at the party. If you noticed, the first place fish came from Lake
Ontario and the second place fish was from Lake Erie! Please enjoy our pictures! |
Travis Coon getting used to
handling a big fish.
Travis was being watched
by his Grandfather. |
John Hagerman
2007 Bass Classic Chairman.
Hagerman was co-chaired with
Larry Williams and Mike Jacobs.
Williams and Jacobs were key persons into the success of the
2007 Classic
Click
the pics for bigger pics! |
Travis showing you how brave he is
after repeated attempts to get him to hold a fish up for all to see.
|
Photos by Mark Daul
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