PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —Three Northern Opens anglers received berths to the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. Leading the list is Charlie Hartley, a former Elite Series pro who qualified for the 2008 Classic and has 219 tournament appearances, dating back to 1993.
“It’s great to be back and I can’t wait to go fishing at Lake Conroe,” said the Ohio pro and winner at the James River in August.
Hartley likely will do a lot of that in the coming months leading to the March 24-26 event on the fishery. His brother owns a house on the lake, and Hartley plans to take full advantage of the guest privileges.
Wil Hardy, Jr., making his first Classic, fills the second spot. Hardy won the season opener in July on Oneida Lake.
Bryan Schmitt’s win on Lake Champlain was bittersweet. He was unable to come off the waiting list for the second Northern Open. That means he does not receive the Classic berth reserved for the winner, should he fish all three Northern Opens.
Saving face and new Elites
Earlier this week B.A.S.S. officials notified the current roster of Elite Series pros about their status for next season. Not making the cut was Chad Pipkens, who faced regaining his Elite status via the Opens next season. Pipkens saved his Elite status after earning the top spot in points for the Northern Opens.
Jacob Wheeler, who initially gained entry through the Southern Opens, finished higher in the Northern Opens as point runner up. That means his spot could become available to another Elite hopeful in the Southern Opens.
Jesse Tecorante, David Dudley, Jamie Hartman and Alton Jones, Jr., are the remaining players with legitimate chances of gaining Invitations.
Leading the points has more benefits than just being first. Who else goes is determined by deleting any current Elite Series members inside the cut. Adrian Avena is inside the cut so he comes off the list. Then comes the short turnaround to secure sponsors and pay deposits for entry fees.
Jocumsen’s miscount
On Day 1, Elite Series pro Carl Jocumsen committed an erroneous mistake that proved costly for the Australian. Jocumsen unknowingly already had a 5-bass limit in the boat when he caught a bass allowing him to cull up his weight.
“I didn’t see that 12 1/2-incher swimming in the bottom of the livewell, it was so small and covered up by my other keepers,” he said.
Immediately, Jocumsen contacted B.A.S.S. officials to let them know about the infraction. He culled the fish, kept fishing and returned to the weigh-in. The penalty assessment of 2 pounds reduced his weight to 17 pounds, 6 ounces.
“I keep learning these valuable lessons,” admitted Jocumsen. “I’ve got to be more conscious of what’s in my livewll.”
Ahoy sailor!
On Day 1, Alton Jones, Jr., pulled up on a rocky shoal with the intent of taking advantage of the wind-blown point. The spot offered the perfect mix of captive baitfish awaiting the ambush of bass. Then, out of nowhere, a boat appeared between Jones and his casting target.
“It was a sailboat and I thought it odd they could go that shallow,” he recalled.
The adrift and off course sailboat’s long keel became wedged between the rocks. Jones laid down his rod and assumed the role of Good Samaritan.
“It took everything my Yamaha had to get them off the rocks,” he said. Jones towed the happy sailors into open water and they set sailed again.
The lost time turned into a measure of good luck for Jones.
“The bite didn’t turn on until after they left,” he said. “Had I started fishing earlier I probably wouldn’t have loaded the boat.”
Long haulers
The stop in Plattsburgh is the first of a long road trip for some pros. Mike and Stacy McClelland, son Justin and his wife Laura, all packed up for a non-stop drive to Shreveport, La. That’s a distance covering more than 1,600 miles over at least 25 hours of driving, not including rest breaks and fuel stops. The McClelland’s will fish the second event of the season for the Central Opens.
Following the McClelland’s will be two anglers fishing the Top 12. Roommates Sam George and Alton Jones, Jr., plan to a marathon drive, realizing their practice time with be limited on the Red River.
Pedal to the medal
Also making that New York to Louisiana road trip is Trait Zaldain. She came from Minnesota via the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year event, adding another leg to an already long week, with a twist.
“While in Minnesota with (husband) Chris I realized the Open started one day earlier,” she said. Trait stopped for a rest break after driving 17 hours on the first leg to Erie, Pa. From there, she drove to Plattsburgh for a short practice prior to the tournament.
Ducks vs bass
The Northern Open started one day earlier, Wednesday instead of the usual Thursday, due to a duck hunt. The Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend in Vermont occurs the final weekend of September.
The dates coincided with the tournament, and state officials declined granting a permit exception to B.A.S.S. Starting a day earlier wasn’t an issue, with an exception of the road warriors whose practice time got cut short by traveling from the AOY championship.