Rules Wrap Up and Getting Ready to Go!

While it may not feel like spring just yet, a glance at the calendar finds us in April with our first Buddy tournament coming up quickly! Fishing season is about to begin boys (and girl) go get that gear together, flush out that fogging mist out of the motor, put on the cold weather gear, and let's starting catching some bass.

As the tournaments are about o begin, we are wrapping up the open change period for our by-laws and tournament rules with a motion to be voted on at the next meeting. The use of cell phones during our tournaments is a highly debatable item but that is only based on the perspective from which you are looking. You may choose to give each other the benefit of the doubt that no one will use their phones in an unsportsmanlike manner to pass along or solicit fishing information from others. You may also feel that the rule should remain to remove any temptation to "accidentally" share info and if you want to talk to your buddy, go find him and pull up next to him on the lake. An argument can be made for or against it but in my opinion, there are too many ways that guys casually shoot the breeze or "accidentally" share information on the water. Some guys (but not me) bring binoculars on the boat so that they can see what baits other fishermen are using. Some can do that just by watching how a guy is working the rod or how fast he's fishing. Every dock owner wants to tell you about the big one he caught off his dock or provide some useful color choices and the like. There's just too many other ways to get information to single out cell phone usage as a deterrent to bending the rules.

With that said, let's get back to some fun. Be prepared for the season by getting your licenses ahead of time. If you have not yet done so for Connecticut, you can get your license by phone at the DEP store. The number is 860-424-3555 and you can use a Visa or Mastercard. It usually only takes 3-4 days to get it mailed to you. On your first trip out, I suggest you fill up your boat's gas tanks with Super unleaded. Yes, gas prices are outrageous again but a scored cylinder is much more costly. Fuel stabilizer lowers the octane in gas that is sitting over the winter. This low octane fuel can be mortal to your engine so be wary and back off the throttle a bit until you burn up that old gas. Don't forget that trailer either! Sitting all winter long, your tires could lose air pressure causing dangerous trailering. While you're at it, check your lights and light connections.

So, the boat's ready, you have your license, you've organized your new tackle and spooled up your reels. Where to go? Most lakes are iced out by now but Candlewood is not only low but also off limits due to trout stocking until the 3rd Saturday in April. Lilly and Zoar are usually open early and could provide some action. The stumpfields at the south end of Greenwood is also a good early season bet. Some guys will be heading down to the Susquahanna Flats. Although our first ever tournament on there proved to be rather difficult, the Flats traditionally has some great early fishing, not to mention the opportunity for a fat, Maryland slob lunker! Largemouth Bass that is.

Personally, I cannot express how excited I am about this season. With a six pound lunker pool approaching 4-figures and a better than average chance that it could be broken in our first tournament has the blood racing. Besides, we have not been able to fish Candlewood early in the season for quite a few years. I might have to take a few days off for this one! I easily expect a winning weight of over 16 pounds for that event, possibly even all smallies! With the event on a Wednesday, the lake should pretty much be ours. Now, how often can you say that about Candlewood? If that tourney doesn't crack the 6lb pool, we get another chance at the night tournament there in the summer.

So folks, start your engines! The 2007 Bergen Bassmasters tournament season is about to get under way. Good luck to everyone!

Respectfully submitted,Mark Scocco
President - Bergen Bassmasters

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