New York’s Steve Pickard caught 9 pounds, 8 ounces to lead on Day 1 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional on the Connecticut River held out of Hartford, Conn.
New York’s Steve Pickard Takes Lead On Connecticut River
September 16,2015
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HARTFORD, Conn. — Steve Pickard had never fished on the Connecticut River until four days ago, but that didn’t stop him from taking the first-day lead on the river in the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
“When I got here on Saturday, I ran as much water as possible,” said Pickard, of Fulton, N.Y. “I got on a deal on Sunday and started working my way up and down the river to see where it works.”
The “deal” he’s talking about is a pattern he figured out on the waterway that’s really not much different than what other competitors are doing — except for one thing.
“I have one distinguishing feature, one key ingredient,” he said, declining to say what the pattern or the secret tweak is. “That’s what is making the difference.”
It’s no surprise he’s not divulging much information about his tactic. The tournament is in its first day of three, and the winner will likely have only a margin of ounces based on the weights here on the Connecticut River.
Only 12 anglers out of 108 managed to collect limits of five bass in today’s opening round, and the average weight of each bass is a scant 1 pound, 6 ounces. Twenty-three anglers didn’t weigh in a bass.
Pickard, however, got two really good fish that he wasn’t expecting — a 2 1/2-pound largemouth and a 4-pound smallmouth. Those two, added to his three average-size bass, added up to a leading weight of 9 pounds, 8 ounces. Currently, he’s more than a pound up on his closest competitor.
“It will be hard to get another 9 or 10 pounds,” Pickard said. “This river is extremely tough. I’m hoping for a good couple of days. The mornings have been a better bite, as long as the tide is moving.”
Pickard is competing to win the tournament, of course, but he’s also working toward winning the top spot on his team. The best performer from each state B.A.S.S. Nation qualifies for the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 5-7, on Louisiana’s Ouachita River. He’s ahead in the New York B.A.S.S. Nation now by 1 pound, 2 ounces. If he can maintain it, he gets an invitation to compete in the championship, and if he wins there, he’ll get to move on to the biggest stage in bass fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro in March 2016.
Other competitors in a position to move on are Alex Wetherell, Connecticut; Mark Desjardin, Maine; George Barnes, Massachusetts; David LeBlanc, New Hampshire; Larry MacPhail, Ontario; Philip Casto, Rhode Island; Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz, Spain; and James Knox, Vermont.
Each state is in competition, too. The state whose team members weigh in the heaviest cumulative weight wins a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $38,000. Pickard’s catch helped propel the New York team into the first-round lead with 52 pounds, 2 ounces. Behind New York are Connecticut with 44-10 and Ontario with 38-11.
The biggest bass brought to the scales so far in the Eastern Divisional is a 4-pound, 10-ounce bass caught by Dave Andrews, who is fishing for the New Hampshire state team.
Competition resumes Thursday. Anglers will take off from Riverside Park at 6:15 a.m. ET, and they’ll weigh in at the park at 2:15 p.m. Keep up with the action at Bassmaster.com.
2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional 9/16-9/18
Connecticut River, Hartford CT.
Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Steven Pickard Fulton, NY (NY) 5 09-08 0
2. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY (NY) 5 08-06 0
3. David LeBlanc Springfield, NH (NH) 5 08-03 0
4. Dave Andrews Hudson, MA (NH) 3 07-14 0
5. Casey Smith Macedon, NY (NY) 5 07-06 0
6. Mark Desjardin Vassalboro, ME (ME) 4 07-05 0
7. Larry MacPhail Kingston Ontario CANADA 5 06-14 0
8. George Barnes Cambridge, MA (MA) 4 06-09 0
9. Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz Badajoz SPAIN (ESP) 5 06-05 0
9. Charles Sim Ottawa CANADA (ONT) 5 06-05 0
9. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT (CT) 5 06-05 0
12. Bob Thornington Kirkfield ONTARIO CANAD 2 06-04 0
13. Chris O’Brien Rochester, NY (NY) 5 06-03 0
14. Pete Demoya Plymouth, MA (MA) 5 05-14 0
14. Reed Johnson Farmington, CT (CT) 5 05-14 0
16. George Yund Albany, NY (NY) 5 05-04 0
17. Philip Casto Woonsocket, RI (RI) 2 05-01 0
18. James Knox Rutland, VT (VT) 4 04-12 0
19. Kal Vaisanen Dundalk ONTARIO CANADA 3 04-12 0
20. Dino Moutogiannis Newington, CT (CT) 3 04-10 0
21. John Fortier Sanbornton, NH (NH) 4 04-08 0
22. Edward Kohl Waterford, CT (CT) 2 04-08 0
23. John Knowles Oakdale, CT (CT) 2 04-07 0
24. Bill Wright Whiting, VT (VT) 3 04-04 0
25. Mickey Soler Newington, CT (CT) 4 04-03 0
26. Carlos Perez Zamorano Madrid SPAIN (ESP) 3 04-03 0
27. Javier Casado Izquierdo Caceres SPAIN (ESP) 3 04-02 0
28. Lewis Mendall Wrentham, MA (RI) 2 04-02 0
29. James Jeffries Rouses Point, NY (VT) 1 04-02 0
30. Chris Bielert Danbury, CT (CT) 3 03-14 0
31. Chris Adams Rutland, VT (VT) 3 03-13 0
32. Skip Sjobeck Randolph, VT (VT) 2 03-09 0
33. Matthew Breach Douglas, MA (MA) 3 03-07 0
34. David Dziob Meriden, CT (CT) 2 03-07 0
34. Robert Williamson Gorham, ME (ME) 2 03-07 0
36. Russell Phillips Guilford, VT (VT) 3 03-05 0
37. Christopher Killoren Marcellus, NY (NY) 2 03-05 0
38. Jim Lynch Bomoseen, VT (VT) 2 03-04 0
39. Carlos Montoya Martinez Pozuelo Del Rev SPAIN ( 3 03-03 0
40. Jim Rockett Intervale, NH (NH) 2 03-03 0
41. Jeremy Douglas Rochester, NY (NY) 2 03-02 0
41. Mark Porco Torontoa Ontario CANADA 2 03-02 0
43. Doug Kirkbride Beaver Falls, NY (NY) 2 03-01 0
43. Tom Reynolds Lyme, CT (CT) 2 03-01 0
45. Michael Abernathy Coventry, RI (RI) 3 03-00 0
46. Scott Parker Candia, NH (NH) 2 03-00 0
47. Frank Ramsay Ingleside ONTARIO CANAD 2 02-15 0
48. Carlos Lopez Madrid Arganda SPAIN (E 3 02-13 0
49. Daryl Biron South Windsor, CT (CT) 3 02-12 0
50. Chris Mann Cornish, VT (VT) 2 02-09 0
51. Chuck Sturtevant NoChihenden, VT (VT) 2 02-08 0
52. Jim Bianchi Rush, NY (NY) 1 02-08 0
52. Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA (RI) 1 02-08 0
54. John Lamour Harrowsmith CANADA (ONT 2 02-07 0
55. Alan Krause Hingham, MA (MA) 2 02-05 0
56. Kevin Miller Merrimack, NH (NH) 2 02-03 0
57. Chris Guncheon Warwick, RI (RI) 1 02-03 0
58. Bill Rider Standish, ME (ME) 2 02-02 0
58. Dave Spence Pickering CANADA (ONT) 2 02-02 0
60. Rafael Diaz Gonzalez Rivasvacia Madrid SPAIN 2 02-00 0
61. Patrick Campbell Barrie Ontario CANADA ( 2 01-15 0
62. Pedro Jose Garcia Perero Minglanilla SPAIN (ESP) 2 01-11 0
63. Jason Kervin Auburn, ME (ME) 1 01-10 0
64. Ruben Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN (ESP) 1 01-10 0
65. Robert Pepe Plainville, CT (CT) 1 01-09 0
66. Eric Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN (ESP) 2 01-08 0
67. Keith Poulin Lisbon, ME (ME) 1 01-08 0
67. TJ Valle Rochester, NY (NY) 1 01-08 0
69. Scott Dupuis Wilmington, VT (VT) 2 01-06 0
70. Paul LeBlanc Medway, MA (MA) 1 01-06 0
71. Dwayne Turnage Hollis, ME (ME) 1 01-04 0
72. John Shpack Attleboro, MA (MA) 1 01-03 0
73. Shane Fernandez Etobicoke Ontario CANAD 1 01-02 0
73. Dan Tavilla Clelmsford, MA (MA) 1 01-02 0
73. Steve Wilson East Waterboro, ME (ME) 1 01-02 0
76. Daniel Gonzalez Garcia Madrid, (ESP) 1 01-01 0
77. Steve Beam Manlius, NY (NY) 1 01-00 0
77. Joe Burchill Boston, MA (MA) 1 01-00 0
77. Miguel Munoz Martinez Cofrentes SPAIN (ESP) 1 01-00 0
80. Ronald Bestwick Grisword, CT (RI) 1 00-15 0
80. Jim Burrows Nashua, NH (NH) 1 00-15 0
80. Ryan Friscia Central Square, NY (NY) 1 00-15 0
83. John Diaco Rochester, NH (NH) 1 00-14 0
84. Doug Brownridge Milton ONTARIO CANADA ( 1 00-13 0
84. Michael Caudle Foxboro, MA (MA) 1 00-13 0
86. Gerry Blanchette Concord, NH (NH) 0 00-00 0
86. Glen Bruce Saco, ME (ME) 0 00-00 0
86. Steve Castagnino Mansfield, MA (MA) 0 00-00 0
86. Brian Chadwick Woolsich, ME (ME) 0 00-00 0
86. RC Cooper Nashua, NH (NH) 0 00-00 0
86. Steven Dorsey Warwick, RI (RI) 0 00-00 0
86. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH (NH) 0 00-00 0
86. Steve Goozey Pomfret Center, CT (RI) 0 00-00 0
86. Gary Graser Claremont, NH (NH) 0 00-00 0
86. Shane Hatch Owls Head, ME (ME) 0 00-00 0
86. Joe Holland Jefferson, ME (ME) 0 00-00 0
86. Brian Jarvis Warwick , RI (RI) 0 00-00 0
86. James Johnson Scitoate, RI (RI) 0 00-00 0
86. Jeffrey Kenney Franklin, MA (MA) 0 00-00 0
86. Ronald Larivee Chepachet, RI (RI) 0 00-00 0
86. Doug Lees Ottawa Ontario CANADA ( 0 00-00 0
86. Joe Mahood Briarcliff Manor, NY (C 0 00-00 0
86. Juan Carlos Moreno Carretero Sevilla Nueva SPAIN (ES 0 00-00 0
86. Ricky Turczak Housatonic, MA (MA) 0 00-00 0
86. Jeremy Von Oesen Dixmont, ME (ME) 0 00-00 0
86. Phillip Wade New Haven, VT (VT) 0 00-00 0
86. Bob Wetzler Rutland, VT (VT) 0 00-00 0
86. Steven Worden Cumberland, RI (RI) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 12 205 289-01
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12 205 289-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 NEW YORK 52-02
2 CONNECTICUT 44-10
3 ONTARIO 38-11
4 VERMONT 33-08
5 NEW HAMPSHIRE 30-12
6 SPAIN 29-08
7 MASSACHUSETTS 23-11
8 MAINE 18-06
9 RHODE ISLAND 17-13
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
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CONNECTICUT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 06-05 0
2 Reed Johnson Farmington, CT 5 05-14 0
3 Dino Moutogiannis Newington, CT 3 04-10 0
4 Edward Kohl Waterford, CT 2 04-08 0
5 John Knowles Oakdale, CT 2 04-07 0
6 Mickey Soler Newington, CT 4 04-03 0
7 Chris Bielert Danbury, CT 3 03-14 0
8 David Dziob Meriden, CT 2 03-07 0
9 Tom Reynolds Lyme, CT 2 03-01 0
10 Daryl Biron South Windsor, CT 3 02-12 0
11 Robert Pepe Plainville, CT 1 01-09 0
12 Joe Mahood Briarcliff Manor, NY 0 00-00 0
MASSACHUSETTS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 George Barnes Cambridge, MA 4 06-09 0
2 Pete Demoya Plymouth, MA 5 05-14 0
3 Matthew Breach Douglas, MA 3 03-07 0
4 Alan Krause Hingham, MA 2 02-05 0
5 Paul LeBlanc Medway, MA 1 01-06 0
6 John Shpack Attleboro, MA 1 01-03 0
7 Dan Tavilla Clelmsford, MA 1 01-02 0
8 Joe Burchill Boston, MA 1 01-00 0
9 Michael Caudle Foxboro, MA 1 00-13 0
10 Steve Castagnino Mansfield, MA 0 00-00 0
10 Jeffrey Kenney Franklin, MA 0 00-00 0
10 Ricky Turczak Housatonic, MA 0 00-00 0
MAINE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Desjardin Vassalboro, ME 4 07-05 0
2 Robert Williamson Gorham, ME 2 03-07 0
3 Bill Rider Standish, ME 2 02-02 0
4 Jason Kervin Auburn, ME 1 01-10 0
5 Keith Poulin Lisbon, ME 1 01-08 0
6 Dwayne Turnage Hollis, ME 1 01-04 0
7 Steve Wilson East Waterboro, ME 1 01-02 0
8 Glen Bruce Saco, ME 0 00-00 0
8 Brian Chadwick Woolsich, ME 0 00-00 0
8 Shane Hatch Owls Head, ME 0 00-00 0
8 Joe Holland Jefferson, ME 0 00-00 0
8 Jeremy Von Oesen Dixmont, ME 0 00-00 0
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David LeBlanc Springfield, NH 5 08-03 0
2 Dave Andrews Hudson, MA 3 07-14 0
3 John Fortier Sanbornton, NH 4 04-08 0
4 Jim Rockett Intervale, NH 2 03-03 0
5 Scott Parker Candia, NH 2 03-00 0
6 Kevin Miller Merrimack, NH 2 02-03 0
7 Jim Burrows Nashua, NH 1 00-15 0
8 John Diaco Rochester, NH 1 00-14 0
9 Gerry Blanchette Concord, NH 0 00-00 0
9 RC Cooper Nashua, NH 0 00-00 0
9 Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 0 00-00 0
9 Gary Graser Claremont, NH 0 00-00 0
NEW YORK
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Steven Pickard Fulton, NY 5 09-08 0
2 Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 08-06 0
3 Casey Smith Macedon, NY 5 07-06 0
4 Chris O’Brien Rochester, NY 5 06-03 0
5 George Yund Albany, NY 5 05-04 0
6 Christopher Killoren Marcellus, NY 2 03-05 0
7 Jeremy Douglas Rochester, NY 2 03-02 0
8 Doug Kirkbride Beaver Falls, NY 2 03-01 0
9 Jim Bianchi Rush, NY 1 02-08 0
10 TJ Valle Rochester, NY 1 01-08 0
11 Steve Beam Manlius, NY 1 01-00 0
12 Ryan Friscia Central Square, NY 1 00-15 0
RHODE ISLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Philip Casto Woonsocket, RI 2 05-01 0
2 Lewis Mendall Wrentham, MA 2 04-02 0
3 Michael Abernathy Coventry, RI 3 03-00 0
4 Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA 1 02-08 0
5 Chris Guncheon Warwick, RI 1 02-03 0
6 Ronald Bestwick Grisword, CT 1 00-15 0
7 Steven Dorsey Warwick, RI 0 00-00 0
7 Steve Goozey Pomfret Center, CT 0 00-00 0
7 Brian Jarvis Warwick , RI 0 00-00 0
7 James Johnson Scitoate, RI 0 00-00 0
7 Ronald Larivee Chepachet, RI 0 00-00 0
7 Steven Worden Cumberland, RI 0 00-00 0
VERMONT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 James Knox Rutland, VT 4 04-12 0
2 Bill Wright Whiting, VT 3 04-04 0
3 James Jeffries Rouses Point, NY 1 04-02 0
4 Chris Adams Rutland, VT 3 03-13 0
5 Skip Sjobeck Randolph, VT 2 03-09 0
6 Russell Phillips Guilford, VT 3 03-05 0
7 Jim Lynch Bomoseen, VT 2 03-04 0
8 Chris Mann Cornish, VT 2 02-09 0
9 Chuck Sturtevant NoChihenden, VT 2 02-08 0
10 Scott Dupuis Wilmington, VT 2 01-06 0
11 Phillip Wade New Haven, VT 0 00-00 0
11 Bob Wetzler Rutland, VT 0 00-00 0
ONTARIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Larry MacPhail Kingston Ontario CANADA 5 06-14 0
2 Charles Sim Ottawa CANADA 5 06-05 0
3 Bob Thornington Kirkfield ONTARIO CANAD 2 06-04 0
4 Kal Vaisanen Dundalk ONTARIO CANADA 3 04-12 0
5 Mark Porco Torontoa Ontario CANADA 2 03-02 0
6 Frank Ramsay Ingleside ONTARIO CANAD 2 02-15 0
7 John Lamour Harrowsmith CANADA 2 02-07 0
8 Dave Spence Pickering CANADA 2 02-02 0
9 Patrick Campbell Barrie Ontario CANADA 2 01-15 0
10 Shane Fernandez Etobicoke Ontario CANAD 1 01-02 0
11 Doug Brownridge Milton ONTARIO CANADA 1 00-13 0
12 Doug Lees Ottawa Ontario CANADA 0 00-00 0
SPAIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz Badajoz SPAIN 5 06-05 0
2 Carlos Perez Zamorano Madrid SPAIN 3 04-03 0
3 Javier Casado Izquierdo Caceres SPAIN 3 04-02 0
4 Carlos Montoya Martinez Pozuelo Del Rev SPAIN 3 03-03 0
5 Carlos Lopez Madrid Arganda SPAIN 3 02-13 0
6 Rafael Diaz Gonzalez Rivasvacia Madrid SPAIN 2 02-00 0
7 Pedro Jose Garcia Perero Minglanilla SPAIN 2 01-11 0
8 Ruben Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN 1 01-10 0
9 Eric Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN 2 01-08 0
10 Daniel Gonzalez Garcia Madrid, 1 01-01 0
11 Miguel Munoz Martinez Cofrentes SPAIN 1 01-00 0
12 Juan Carlos Moreno Carretero Sevilla Nueva SPAIN 0 00-00 0
