Sullivan & Jones Split-Shot on the Charles River

June 11,2005 Boston, MA: Activities at the Newton Yacht Club on the banks of the Charles River, began at the crack of dawn as registration for the 6th annual New England Paralyzed Veterans of America Regional Bass Trail tournament, hosted by Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Federation and the American Eagles Bass Anglers met the arriving wheelchair anglers.

"I have been involved with the NEPVA Bass Trail since its inception and every year the trail seems to get bigger and better. I can't believe this turnout, there are over forty NEPVA anglers register just for this tournament! It's oblivious the growth has been because of the fantastic volunteers, such as the federation boaters and the Nam Knights, coupled with the tournament trails generous sponsors," voiced PVA National Bass Champion Jim Wallack of Derry, New Hampshire.

Wallack's comments were well scripted as observation for the Newton Yacht Clubs crows nest revealed volunteers setting up grills, raising weigh-in tents, parking Boaters tow vehicles, serving coffee and donuts, as members of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club of America (www.namknights.com) ran their patented wheelchair shuttle loading the paralyzed veterans into their partners' bass boats.

With the tournament underway all volunteers were served an appreciation breakfast courtesy of the Newton Yacht Club, before resuming their NEPVA Bass Trail setup responsibilities. "We have yet to log all anglers in both our Boater Division and our Bank Division unto our leaders' board, assemble all the trophies and prizes, printout all of the Charles River certificates, as well as hang all of our tournament trail sponsors banners," smile volunteer worker Lori Campbell.

As the 2:00pm weigh-in time approached, Dock-Talk rumors spread as to some hefty fish coming to the scales. "Our Bank Division anglers went out on a pontoon boat and will be the first anglers to register their creels. These anglers are allowed to use live bait and any species fish caught counts," announced NEPVA Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine. "Normally they do not weigh-in their fish, our Bank Division volunteers keep track of each angler's total fish count making note of the angler with the largest fish. However, I'm told that Karen Butler has a fish she wants weighed on the scales!"

Weigh-master Larry Batignani was all smiles, when Karen's husband Tom reached into a large ice chest and pulled out a giant carp. "Karen caught this carp on a Senko," said Bank Division volunteer Butch Gioco, as the Weigh-Master announced eight pounds two ounces. Karen Butler easily won the Charles River Bank Division's top honors, excepting her trophy and Shakespeare rod/reel combination, Karen gave praise to volunteer Butch Gioco for helping her land her Big Fish.

Hazy, hot and humid conditions slowed the bass bite on the Charles River, but as in any bass tournament someone always seems to catch a limit! "We had six teams managed to secure a limit today, but our winning team with a total weight of 11.03 lbs goes to B.A.S.S. Federation Angler Bill Sullivan and his NEPVA partner Lloyd Jones of Harpswell, Maine," said Roger Winn, American Eagles Bass Anglers Tournament Director. When asked how he like fishing his first NEPVA Bass Trail tournament, Bill Sullivan replied,"This is the most rewarding day of bass fishing I can recall, Lloyd and I had a great time. You can count me in as an annual Boater for the Charles River from now on!"

Excepting their first place trophies and prizes, Sullivan and Jones revealed their winning tactics. "We went all the way down river to the Half-Shell Park in search for post spawn bass. Weather conditions called for finesse presentations, so I set Lloyd up with a ¼ oz split-shot rig, dragging a 6" Kalin green pumpkin lizard, and I continued to work a 5" Yamamoto green pumpkin Senko impelled on an Owner 2/0 wide gap hook tied to 8lb Seaguar fluorocarbon line, along small cuts and pockets."

Two-Time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and FLW Pro Angler Danny Correia idled his NEPVA partner, Pennsylvania's Don Jenkins down river to the Boston Science Museum. "Danny let me steer his Skeeter as he rigged several of his Megabass rods with Zom finesse worms tied to drop-shot rigs and small ballhead jigs, explaining each step in the process he gave me a mini seminar on how to work these techniques," laughed Jenkins as he and Correia posed for pictures with their second place trophies and prizes.

"I have to give credit to Donny, he is an awesome angler and the bass he caught on his watermelon colored Senko off the vertical pilings helped us cull several smaller fish increasing our weight to 10.63 lb, giving us a slim .42 lb margin over the third place team," said Correia.

Third place finishers Bassett/Triton Boats Eric Kaplan and his NEPVA angling dad Andrew have been collecting NEPVA Lunker Trophies! "This is amazing! We had Lunker smallmouth at the Connecticut tournament in May, and now we have Lunker Largemouth at the Massachusetts's tournament, including third place trophies/prizes!"

Team Kaplan concentrated on water outlets along the banks of the Charles River alternating between tubes, jigs and green pumpkin/cinnamon colored Yamamoto Senko's. With five minutes left to their tournament day they enticed a keeper bass to secure a limit, claiming third place honors.

"I want to thank the NEPVA for giving me the opportunity to fish a bass tournament with my dad, the memories of teaming up with Dad and competing in a bass tournament designed for boaters and disabled anglers is something I will cherish the rest of my life. Thank you," replied Eric Kaplan upon accepting his awards.

Once again Tom Burke, owner of Irwin Marine, teamed up with PrinceCraft Boats donating a twelve foot aluminum boat to be given away during the NEPVA Angler only drawing. Irwin Marine's Yamaha/Skeeter Boat Pro Staffer Keith Snyder drew the wining name, making the presentation to long time NEPVA Bass Trail contender Frank Vogeli.

While anglers, volunteers and family members enjoyed hamburgers and hotdogs New England Paralyzed Veterans of America President Ken Medeiros was busy excepting generous monetary donations from New Hampshire B.A.S.S. Federation liaison Chris Cote as well as Yamaha/Skeeter Boats North East representative
Mark Burgess.

God Bless and Best Bass'n

photo credit to Bill Decoteau/THE BASS BUREAU

All NEPVA Bass Trail Tournaments are totally FREE to ALL participates and open to all individuals with disabilities whether veterans or non-veterans! Individuals interested in fishing the tournaments may contact Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine @ 1.781.935.2480. As a non-profit organization the tournament trail is funded only by generous donations from its sponsors, with all sponsor donations being tax deductible. For information on becoming an NEPVA sponsor, contact Tiny LaFontaine or the NEPVA office @ 1.800.660.1181.