Pre-Season Predictions

 

I got a feeling at the last meting that many fellow members are really pumped up for this season.  Not unlike any other but I think this year is especially wide open mainly because of the very challenging schedule that I think Jason has put on the docket for this season.  While last year the club was also faced with some difficult tournaments and just like the old days, the emphasis was not really about catching big bags of fish but rather surviving and catching fish in each tournament.  Tough events like the Connecticut River, Greenwood Lake, and the Mohawk rewarded those with even one small fish with a big ton of points and it was those three events that separated the pack.  This seasons spoilers start early with Lake Zoar, which is always difficult, the Hudson and it's 15" limit, odd times for Lake Hopatcong, another water that could be stingy, and the Mohawk which last time fished in October was won with less than 9 pounds.  Who will come out on top this year is anyone's guess but I'll give my pre-season predictions here. 

CandlewoodLake.  While I was fortunate to nag the tournament lunker and a bag full of nice sized smallies for last years win, two anglers stand out in my mind as favorites to watch here.  Scott Mitchell is an excellent early season fisherman and his many years of experience fishing April tournaments on Candy will give him a unique advantage.  Also don;t be surprised if Scott nabs the 6lb pool with a huge smallie!  My second favorite for this tourney is John Hayden.  Last year he was runner up but had a big bag of all smallmouth and my lunker largemouth is the only reason I edged him out.  His pattern was solid last year and could produce big again in 2008. 

Lake Zoar. Ok, this is a total crap shoot but I'll defer to past history and select three guys to keep an eye on.  Kirk Stober has been out of the winners circle a while and overdue to return.  He's won on Zoar before and a few of the right bites could put him over the top.  Next up, Alvin Walters.  The quiet man is an excellent drop shot fisherman and finished strong in our last May event on Zoar.  I'd expect him to be right up there again.  Lastly, I'm calling out Rich Kalanz as a sleeper.  I was near him last time and he was on a spot that could produce some hefty largemouth if they're up.  Depending on the weather and if the bass are still pre-spawn, he could shock a few with a big bag here. 

Mahopac. I doubt that any single member of Bergen has spent more time on Mahopac the past few years than Nick Albano and he's my clear favorite this time around.  He knows where the deep water fish live and in this post spawn tournament, the smallie could be back on the bite.  Another to watch will be Bill Vella who bagged over 16 pounds on Mahopac a few years back and once again, Alvin Walters and his drop shot could be just the ticket. 

Hudson River. The mid July tournament will concentrate the anglers on the main river points but I predict this event will be won in the grass/chestnuts.  Our man Rich Gerken would have to be a favorite but he'll be way south by this time so I'll go with the Top Gun winner from our last July event, John Ernest.   I have a hunch this event may not produce a lot of fish but could be won with over 12 or 13 pounds.  Also keep an eye on Eric Lehmann here.  Eric is quite savvy on the Hudson and his finesse skills are tough to beat if frontal conditions put the fish tight to cover.  The third angler to watch is Andy Karcich who's culvert tactics and Bandit crankbaits have been pretty consistent on the river. A falling tide would be Andy's best friend.

Lake Hopatcong. I think it would be tough to call out anyone other that last year's Angler of the Year, Pat VanWettering to come out on top for this one.  Pat consistently knows how to catch them on Hopactong and his experience here should really pay off.  I'd watch out for Steve Rusert who is our resident dock expert and Hopatcong is loaded with them.  Steve has also placed in the money numerous times at Hopatcong.  Lastly, I'm going to throw our newest member into the mix.  Steve Feigel is another who has a lot of experience on Hopatcong and could be the second club rookie in consecutive years to win a tournament.

Twin Lakes. Well, Twin Lakes in mid September....this is totally new for the club.  In my first year back in 1990, we fished Twin in the summer but since have always seen the lake in the spring.  I'm going to have to go back to what I feel the winning pattern will be and that is deep weedlines.  Three guys who can really fish these well are Eric Lehmann, John Hayden, and Pat Van Wettering.  If frontal conditions come through,  Eric's 4" power worm has the edge but otherwise, John or Pat's brush hogs could pay off.  This is a tough one to call though and really could be up for grabs. 

Mohawk River. This should be another very challenging tournament so I'll go with what I think the winning pattern will be and that's crankbaits.  Andy Karich, Nick Albano, and Kirk Stober are three of the best crankbait fishermen in the club and it would not be surprising to see one of these three up top at the end.  

When the year to date tallies are totaled, once again, Ithink it will be consistency that prevails.  Looking at the bodies of water on the trail, I think there are three anglers who's consistency and fishing styles will have them battling it out for Angler of the Year.  To no surprise, two of these guys are repeat winners and another is a perennial challenger and former winner as well.  John Ernest, Bill Vella, and Eric Lehmann will jockey all year for position and I predict that one of these three will be crowned top angler.  Other top six challengers will be Andy Karcich, Nick Albano, Steve Rusert, Pat VanWettering, and John Hayden.  For top Non-Boater, I'm leaning toward Lou Zhelesnik to quietly keep pace and finish in the top 10 this season.  

Of course these are purely guesses and if I didn't mention your name, I hope that you use that as incentive to prove me wrong. With so many strong fishermen in the club, it's tough to pick a few to rise to the top and it's even tougher to call out when a non-boater is shine through.  That's what makes fishing in this club so great....to slightly re-word a famous quote......"on any given Saturday..."  

Good Luck Bergen Bassmasters and let's have a fantastic 2008 tournament season.

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