Jack Harrington Takes Fair Haven

The Salt City Bassmasters competed in their second tourney of the year at Fair Haven on Lake Ontario on July 23^rd. The tourney was sponsored by the Gregg Ott Insurance Agency.

A field of 46 anglers was only able to bring in 11 small limits in this tough tournament. The location made for some interesting decisions. Fair weather made all of the options available, from Fair Haven and “The Pond” to Sodus Bay, Blind Sodus, Port Bay, East Bay and Ford Shoals- all of it was open, even if the bass jaws were closed.

Staying near the launch and saving gas was our winner Jack Harrington. Jack weighed in a limit of largemouth at just over 10 pounds. Jack got his fish in 4 – 8’ of water on Senkos and tubes. He also pulled two of his five from way up under some docks. Congrats on your first club win.

In Second Place was Randy Lamanche. After a dry morning of largemouth fishing, Randy opted get off the beaten path and head out into the Big Lake in search of Small Jaws. Randy adjusted from his master plan, finding enough Smallmouth to weigh in a limit at just under 9 ½ pounds. Lamanche took his limit on a drop shot with a 4” cut tail in 6’ of water. The key for him was to fish the rig around the mud line caused by all of our rain.

Tying for Third Place were Mike Cusano and Jeff Edgarton, both with 9 pounds even. Mike ran to Sodus and took his fish drop shoting water from 12’-20’. Mike and partner Bob “It’s A GIANT” Rudeau boated some 35 fish through the day, but most were in the “pound” range. Bob kept Mike busy insisting Mike net every sub legal bass he hooked. Despite this workout, Mike was able to get a smallie and a largemouth both at about the three pound range to push his limit to 9 pounds. Mike thought his small limit would be good for about 20^th place, so he didn’t really take the time to cull out. This may have cost him a tie with Jeff.

Third Place finisher and high non-boater Jeff Edgarton weighed in a limit of largemouth at 9 pounds. Sharing the boat with Jeff was Ralph Alexander, who ended up in Fifth place with a scrawny limit at about 8 ¾ pounds. Jeff and I got a couple of decent fish in Fair Haven in some deeper weeds early in the morning. Our area was overrun with short fish so we headed out, eventually filling our limits on some docks. Jeff was throwing a pint sized Yum creature bait, mixed with a Senko. I was chunkin’ a 3” tube; 4” Senko with 1/16 oz. slip and T-rigged Senko. Our fish wanted the baits slow, dead slow.

It’s still early for Angler of the Year talk but right now, Randy Lamanche is at the head of the list. Close behind him is Mike Cusano. Patrick Grady’s nipping at the heels after two very good tournaments. After them, it’s wide open.

High Non-Boater to date is Charles Pritchard. Bob Rudeau came up with Charles new nickname and Charles likes it. He would like to be called either “The Beav” or “Beaver” from now on. Right on Beaver’s heels is Jeff Edgarton. Nowhere on the radar screen is the Terrell Pavlot, who is attempting to defend his Non Boater of the Year title. Pavlot likes Beaver’s chances to wear the NBOY Crown.