The Bergen Bassamsters brought a close to their millenium with a tournament on Greenwood Lake on October 9th. Although conditions had been difficult leading up to the event, a few members had done well in practice. Some anglers optimistic as this event would finalize the year- end standings. No place was set in stone as the top boater, top non-boater, first overall, top six and top 12 positions were all still up for grabs.

Jim Hallihan captured his second ever Bergen victory by bringing in a big bag of bass weighing a total of 13 pounds 2 ounces. Jim’s limit consisted of 4 largemouth and 1 smallmouth. Two largemouth over 4 pounds each had anchored his catch. He caught a total of 6 bass, managing his limit by 11:30am. Although one fell for a crankbait, the others were all caught on a pumpkin/green Senko. All of Jim’s fish were caught off of docks in 1-2’ of water. He concentrated on two main spots; one area along the west shore mid-lake and the other in the southeast section of the lake.

Steve Rusert had the most success catching around 15 keepers during the day. He culled three times up to a final total of 12 pounds 15 ounces. After failing to catch fish early on topwaters and spinerbaits, Steve worked in owards shore eventually picking up his first fish off a rockpile in about 2’ of water. He then concentrated on fishing the backs of docks along the bank in 1-2’ depths. Steve fished a smoke/silver Senko and caught his limit by 11am. He covered large areas of shoreline in the southern half of the lake along both the east and west shorelines. After winning the last event on Saratoga and placing second here, Steve moved himself solidly into the first alternates spot. Had it not been for a tough first tournament on Candlewood, Steve’s 49 pounds in 1999 would have him challenging for the top spot overall.

Last year’s top angler, Mark Scocco solidified his spot in this year’s top six by placing third at Greenwood. Mark’s four bass totaled 9 pounds 10 ounces. Although he struggled early on, he managed his first bass at 10:30 on a wacky worm fished around shallow weed clumps. Resorting to his back-up plan was the change that enabled Mark to land three more bass caught on a neon shad spinnerbait around unmarked stumps in 5-7’ of water. He caught his last three bass between 11:30 and 12:30 including one over four pounds to anchor his creel.

Bill Vella brings home his first Bergen paycheck by bringing in one of only 4 limits in the event. Shallow water fishing is Bill’s style and he fished his strength to catch 6 keepers and lose a few more. His final limit weight totaled 9 pounds 8 ounces. He had two good practice days and decided to concentrate around shallow concrete docks. Although one fish was caught near the north arm, the rest of Bill’s fish were caught all along the east shoreline on pumpkin/green Senkos.

Capping of the season with back-to-back top five finishes was Elliott Liardo. Although he only had three bass, Elliott caught the 5 pound 5 ounce tournament lunker bringing his total weight up to 9 pounds 7 ounces. The lunker was caught early, around 8:30am, on an all white Picasso spinnerbait fished around docks in 6’ of water. Elliott’s two other fish were caught on the hot bait of 1999, the Senko. Elliott’s choice of color was smoke.