Published: July 14, 2008 10:17 pm      

HILTS: Red Line, Team Sparks win Oswego Pro-Am

COMMENTARY

A total of 62 teams were on hand to see two new fishing squads emerge as victors in the Maui Jim/AES Somerset Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament out of Oswego, their 14th annual event held last weekend.

Day one saw near perfect conditions on the lake; day two saw the skies open up with heavy rains, but the winds staying from the south and not become a factor. The big problem was getting fish to hit as many teams struggled to catch numbers of fish the second day. At the end of the two days of action, it was the Red Line team led by Patrick Thayer of Milton, Vermont winning the Professional Division with a score of 381.25 points (based on 10 points per fish and a point per pound). In the Amateur Division is was Team Sparks, led by Larry Williams of Wharton, New Jersey with a two-day total of 223.01 points.

The first day saw High Voltage (Mark DeSantis of Rochester) take the early lead with a 12-fish limit and a score of 247.45 points. They were one of five pro teams that scored limits the first day. One of those five teams was Red Line, who opted to fish salmon out deep until mid-morning. If they weren’t turning any fish, their strategy was to move into shallower water and target brown trout. Thayer charters out of the Little Salmon and was fishing a favorite Mexico Bay brown trout spot using Michigan Stinger spoons in 75 to 82 feet of water. “Speed control is important with browns,” said Thayer, who also fished with Dan and Glen Peschler of Port Ontario and Tim Sherwood of Camden. “We tried to keep our baits moving at 1.9 miles per hour, which translated into 2.2 mph on the surface going one way, 2.7 on the surface going the other way.

Day two there was a concern that weather was going to be an issue. Thunderstorms were in the forecast. The Red Line team opted to focus immediately on browns and their intuition paid off. Another 12 fish limit — the only pro limit on day two — was all they needed to take their first title.

Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. In the Amateur class, it was the Horsin’ Around team led by Louis Calabrese, Jr. of Taberg taking the early lead with a score of 107.59 points, one of two teams with limits among amateurs. Only one team caught a limit on day two. Team Sparks was in third place, just like the Red Line team among the pros, after the first day. Five nice fish, including a 26.98 pound salmon and another 22 pounder, helped vault their team to the victory lane. But there was a catch.

Team Sparks leader Williams had said that he’d get his head shaved if they ever get lucky enough to beat Dave Antenori’s Screamer/A-Tom-Mik team, a frequent winner in Oswego. Someone had an electric hair clipper on hand and Williams was called to the stage — with Antenori the first to trim Williams’ curly locks.

Back to the fishing: the Team Sparks crew, which also included Scott Wagner and Lester Zimmerman, targeted big kings 15 miles east of Oswego off Port Bay. They fished 84 to 155 feet down over 180 to 250 foot depths with Spin Doctors, E-chips and A-Tom-Mik flies to take all their fish.

For a complete rundown of the tournament, check out www.lakeontarioproam.net. The tournament series concludes next weekend when the action shifts to Wayne County and Sodus Bay for the fourth and final event for the year. We’ll have a full report for you next week.

Boating with Joe

Joe Mattina of Pendleton is one of those guys that don’t go looking for trouble. Bad luck just seems to find him, no matter where he goes. A recent boat purchase led to the following tip sheet that could very well be a storyboard for a new potential cable show, “Boating with Joe.” The following tips came through as a result of our recent camping trip to Sampson State Park and Seneca Lake:

n If you’re going to purchase a boat, don’t pick the cheapest and best-looking water vessel … or the first one that comes along. If you do, be sure that one of your friends (or more than one) is mechanically inclined to figure out anything that might be wrong with your engine, gear shift/throttle, etc.

n If you’ve promised people in your family a ride in your “inexpensive” boat, make sure another back-up boat is available.

n If the boat starts only sometimes and you’re not sure what the problem is, don’t take a long trip on the water to test it.

n Make sure you have some form of communication to contact other boats or friends who may be able to assist you should your boat break down.

n If you are forced to be towed to shore, pick a spot for easy access.

n If a launch ramp area is unimproved and there are signs that recommend four wheel drive vehicles only – and yours is two wheel drive – pay attention to the signs. If someone else with a four wheel drive vehicle offers to assist in the towing process, take them up on it.

n While a boat is normally used for fishing or other water-related activities, it still makes a good storage container for all your camping gear.

n Before making any trips with the boat, make sure the lights are working properly – especially if you’re going to be driving at night.

Seriously, while Joe will probably never invite me in his boat again (unless he’s about to sink it), he really has a good heart and the best of intentions. If the cable show comes about, we’ll be sure to keep you informed.

Bass contests August 2-3

A-1 Bait Supply and OutdoorsNiagara.com will be teaming up to run a one-day bass contest on August 2 for the Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario and its tributaries. Entry fee is $20, plus a $5 Cash Bash. Check out details at their website at www.outdoorsniagara.com or stop in to A-1 Bait located at the base of The Silo in Lewiston.

Independent Living of Niagara County is looking for a few good boats to donate their time for a worthy cause on August 3. The event will be held on the lower river and the barbecue and awards will be held at the 3-F Club in Lewiston. If you’re interested in lending a helping hand, call 836-0822, ext. 108. The other way you can help is to participate, with the event from the mold of the John Daly Memorial Derby formerly held with the YMCA. If you’d like to find out more, call 284-4131, ext. 31. It’s a great time!

Bill Hilts Jr. is a past president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.