Dan Caruso Weathers All on Chaumont
Salt City’s final points tournament was held on September 25th, 2005 at Chaumont Bay on Lake Ontario. There was a lot at stake at this tournament including Angler of the Year honors and the last few slots on the club’s Six Man Team for 2006.
Chaumont was angry as usual when the field of 40 anglers blasted. The forecast was for winds to 25 knots. That never happened but the wind, waves and rain did make presentation a battle most of the day.
Dan Caruso laughed at the wind and overcame adversity to weigh in 16 pounds and 11 ounces of Chaumont “small” jaws. Caruso reported his day was a “complete disaster” up to about one hour before the weigh in. Dan’s bilge pump blew out and after spearing a couple of steep waves, his boat was filling up and his non-boater Maloof had dishpan feet. Dan lost his favorite hat to the wind and a couple of his favorite jerk baits (missed a loop on the knot). At about 1:30 with his boat a little low in the water he decided to pull it out to drain the water from the boat. It was a long ride back to the ramp as she had too much water to get up on plane. After 30 minutes on the trailer, the last of the water came out and team Caruso- Maloof was back in action.
Dan picked up his next two fish filling his limit after this point. Dan had only five fish on the day. He used a tube on a 3/8 oz jig head with an exposed hook. He was fishing in about 17’ on windblown structure.
Dan deserves a lot of credit for not letting his sinking boat and the elements getting the better of him. Way to stay in the game and congrats on your fish Salt City victory.
Jumping to Third-Place was Joe Maloof, who shared the boat with Caruso. Joe picked up 14 pounds and 13 ounces of Bronzeback on only FOUR FISH. A measly Chaumont two-pounder would have given Maloof sweet victory. Joe’s bounty shared space with Caruso’s limit after one of his livewell pumps went south. Mr. Maloof was not available for comment.
Back to Second Place, Steve Housenecht lugged 16 ˝ pounds of Green Backs to the weigh master. Steve put three good Smallmouth in the box but the going was a little slow and he was out in the wind. Steve decided to move to Large Mouth water and the move paid off for him. Steve reports a good bite in the 8-10’ range on tubes. Steve teamed up with Tim Jones who took home lunker of the day, and lunker of the year, with his 5 pounds 7 ounce Smallmouth.
Fourth-Place went to Scott Allen. Scott needed a strong finish here to solidify earning his second Angler of the Year title in the last three years – and he did it with 14 pounds and 6 ounces of largemouth. Scott concentrated on the 6-8’ deep weeds. He fished a Senko with a 1/16 oz. weight.
In Fifth-Place was Don Pritchard with 14 pounds and 5 ounces of fish. Don’s area was loaded with fish and he brought in 35 or so on a day that many guys struggled. Of course, Don was throwing the mystical 8-Ball Spinnerbait. A fast retrieve over the tops of the weeds was what the fish wanted.
Notes:
· Great job by Craig Terpening and rest of the Tournament Committee in making this one run smooth as we shared the ramp with Crown .
· The East Coast Bass Masters were a no show.
· Bill Mayhanna kept schools of bait on a popular shoal for the guys by chumming up his breakfast most of the morning.
· Patrick Grady’s run of bad luck continues with his new Stratos – Yamaha needing a tow back to the ramp. Thanks here to Craig Terpening for taking time from his fishing day to do so.
· Dick Sessions’ bad luck as a non-boater continues (see above).
· Curtis Waterman can vouch for the fact that 11-pound walleyes do not fit in bass-sized nets.
As mentioned, Scott Allen took home his second Angler of the Year title in his third year as a Club member. Scott said he’s looking forward to captaining the Club Team and that the team looks incredibility strong. I think these guys know a little about the 1000 Islands.
Finishing just ten points from Scott was Bob Mabee. Bob had a strong finish at Chaumont with and, if my math’s right, just ˝ of one pound more would have given him his second Angler of the Year title in row.
The Six Man Team is comprised of the following, with the last two alternates:
· Scott Allen
· Bob Mabee
· Craig Terpening
· Mike Cusano
· Steve Housenecht
· Carl Stewart
· Carl Moore
· Dave Ottman
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