Fishing: Youngster learns quickly about bringing in bass

PHOTOGRAPHER: EmilyRose

Share on Facebook

Save

This report begins with my most enjoyable and satisfying fishing trips this year, all on Saratoga Lake.

Fishing with me were John Karrat of Clifton Park, his 11 year-old-son, Dominick, and Mike Ryan of Loudonville. Dominick had fished before, but never for bass. It was a windy day and the bite started slowly, but once Dominick got the hang of tossing a Stik-O Worm wacky style, he out-fished all of us.

When he stepped in my boat, he was a beginner, but an hour or so later, he was not only catching bass, but also holding his catches and posing for pictures before releasing them back in the water.

We caught quite a variety of fish that afternoon, including large and smallmouth bass and a 22-inch pickerel, but the highlight of the day was when dad and son both caught largemouth bass at the same time — a double, and Dominick let me know his was the biggest.

That day, the color of the Stik-O worm didn’t matter. All the bass were taken in the weed openings in six to eight feet of water. I have a feeling I’m going to see John and Dominick on the water again.

Young ladies also like to fish, and I know a 9-year-old who quite often, after school, runs down to Fish Creek behind her grandparents’ house with her rod and reel. Brooke Schwerd lives Schuylerville, and was fishing with her 7-year-old brother, Mikey, when she hooked up with a tail-walking, 14-inch smallmouth. I’m told her screams of joy could be heard throughout the county.

The Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation’s tournament last Saturday attracted 192 adults and 18 children to the annual summer fishing contest, and the results were quite impressive. The four winners in each category, based on length, received $300, $200 $150 and $50.

The bass winners were Josh Rumrill of Gloversville, 181⁄2 inches, and Seth Dambrasaio of Hadley, 181⁄8. Troy Rose of Gloversville, and Jeff Trojan of Scotia shared third- and fourth-place money. Each had a 177⁄8-inch catch.

The walleye winners were Roger Wells of Tillson, 223⁄4 inches; Pat Javarone of Johnstown, 193⁄4; Mike Vanvalkenburgh of Johnstown, 195⁄8; and Jim Deming of Northville, 191⁄4.

The trout winners were Tom Szala of Amsterdam, 171⁄4 inches; Adriane Wright of Feura Bush, 161⁄2; Tom Szala of Amsterdam, 161⁄8; and George Albert of Schenectady, 16.

The same day, 20 teams were competing in the Mohawk Valley Anglers’ contest on the Great Sacandaga. The top three winners, all with five-bass team limits, were the Rotterdam team of Tim Squires and Jason Lane, 9.91

pounds; Randy and Michele King of Johnstown, 9.87; and Eric Fiedner and Scott Madcharo of Broadalbin, 9.68. First through third returned $365, $261 and $209, respectively.

The big bass honors and $100 went to Chris Colin and Todd Keenan of Rotterdam for their 3.17-pound bass.

Twenty members of the Mohawk Master’s Singleman tournament trail kicked off opening day this year at AlCathy’s boat launch in Waterford, and the bass were biting.

The stretch of river between locks 6 and 7 is one of the most productive largemouth and smallmouth waters on the Mohawk River.

At the weigh-in, Kevin Henderson of Canajoharie tipped the scales at 14.13 pounds which included his 4.8-pound largemouth lunker of the day. Kevin received a total of $570 — a little over $110 per fish.

Finishing a close second was Tim Longo of Rotterdam, 13.12 pounds, $200. Vince Moninni of Rotterdam, was third with 11.3 pounds and received $150.

This is the Mohawk Master’s 22nd season.

As a reminder to all anglers, including those in tournaments, send me your fish tales and tournament results. Include full names, city of residence, what was caught and, for tournaments, how much they won. Email me at, [email protected]