Candlewood Lake

March 26, 2017         

by Gary Menchen

On Sunday March 26, the Watershed Bassmasters kicked-off our 2017 tournament season with the 4th Annual Pop Ziolkowski Opener held on Candlewood Lake. Trying to fit 12 AOY qualifying events plus an additional 2 Day Classic into a single season, we started this year season earlier than ever and will finish a little later towards the end of October. This may have caught some members off guard as several boats were still snowed in and a couple more members calling in sick as we opened with only half of the clubs members fishing.

The day started dry but cold and it did not take long for some rain to fall. It was not a great day weather wise. So, depending on who you asked, the fishing was good or terrible. Six of us skunked blaming the 37 degree water temperature but the other four dialed into the conditions and pattern and caught some awesome bass.

Nothing but smallmouth were weighed in with Andy Krayewsky's 17.58 lb. limit, anchored by a 4.49 brown fish, running away with 1st place. This was Andy's first ever club victory and proved that nice guys CAN finish first. After a slow morning, the afternoon really picked-up for Andy. All of his fish were caught crawling a swimbait in 25-30 feet of water. Congratulation's and here's wishing many more wins to come his way.

With 4 bass weighing 13.11 lb., Timmy “The Hammer” Thompson claimed the 2nd place money using swimbaits and vertically jigging. That being said, the real story here is that Tim guided Watershed rookie Tommy Rosato to an unforgettable day. Tommy finished 3rd with 3 fish for 11.88 lb. but it was his 5.12 lb. smallmouth that was the talk of the weigh-in. Not only did Tommy’s impressive fish win Lunker for the day, but it also netted him the 6lb Award. This monetary award is given to those that weigh-in either a 6lb+ Largemouth or a 5lb+ Smallmouth. It is an accumulative pool with $2 from each entry fee at each AOY event added to the pot until a qualifying fish is brought to the scales. Previously only largemouth captured this award with Greg Menchen being the last one to win it with a 6-1/2lb LMB at East Twin in Sept 2013. Tommy's smallmouth is the first brown fish to win this award and was worth over $700. As most fish today, Tommy's lunker was duped by a swim bait in 25-30 feet of water.

Three guys jumped out to an early lead this weekend. Will they hold or improve their positions after the next event? We'll find out on Sunday April 9th as we visit Lake Lillinonah. The tournament hours are 8AM-4PM but all are reminded that we have implemented a new “just show up and fish” policy. We will draw partners at the ramp 45 minutes before the start of each tournament. PLEASE be punctual, but if you are on the way and running a little late a call or text needs to be received before the draw begins or you will be SOL. Contact information is available on each pre-tournament itinerary.

One note, we have started an “optional” lunker pool for the largest largemouth bass and also the largest smallmouth bass of the year.  You can get in either or both for $10 each at any time during the year.  After the first event on Candlewood, we have no entries in the largemouth division and Greg's 2.35 lb smallmouth leads that division, as Tommy, Andy, and Timmy had not signed up for the pool. So, they still can get in as can all the rest of the members. See you at Lilly.