Hicks’ Oneida Open photos

Mark Hicks shares photos from his time fishing the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2.

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I didn’t photograph the actual speck of dirt that caused my outboard issues. It was no bigger than this ink mark on my thumb. It appeared to be some type of fiber. How it got under the needle valve in my carburetor is a mystery.
I didn’t photograph the actual speck of dirt that caused my outboard issues. It was no bigger than this ink mark on my thumb. It appeared to be some type of fiber. How it got under the needle valve in my carburetor is a mystery.
This is one of two switchboxes stacked on top of each other in my outboard. I bought a new switchbox and tried it front and back to no avail.
This is one of two switchboxes stacked on top of each other in my outboard. I bought a new switchbox and tried it front and back to no avail.
I spent one night in the tent camping area at Oneida Shores Park because the other sites that had electricity had been reserved. It was shaded by mature trees and my tent was only 15 yards from the water’s edge. I liked camping there far better than in the area with electricity where I had huge motor homes parked next to me. Unfortunately, I need electricity to charge my boat batteries.
I spent one night in the tent camping area at Oneida Shores Park because the other sites that had electricity had been reserved. It was shaded by mature trees and my tent was only 15 yards from the water’s edge. I liked camping there far better than in the area with electricity where I had huge motor homes parked next to me. Unfortunately, I need electricity to charge my boat batteries.
Here’s another view of my tent in the tent camping area at Oneida Shores Park. My truck and boat are in the background.
Here’s another view of my tent in the tent camping area at Oneida Shores Park. My truck and boat are in the background.
When fellow Ohioan Jonathan Shoemaker (left) learned of my motor trouble, he generously invited me to fish with him and his friend Tyler Berthold one afternoon. Shoemaker competed in the Open on the pro side from a deep V-hull, a boat that he also uses to fish walleye tournaments. Tyler fished as a co-angler.
When fellow Ohioan Jonathan Shoemaker (left) learned of my motor trouble, he generously invited me to fish with him and his friend Tyler Berthold one afternoon. Shoemaker competed in the Open on the pro side from a deep V-hull, a boat that he also uses to fish walleye tournaments. Tyler fished as a co-angler.
Jonathan Shoemaker cast for bass at Oneida Lake from his deep V walleye boat.
Jonathan Shoemaker cast for bass at Oneida Lake from his deep V walleye boat.
Tyler Berthold holds up one of the many pike we caught the afternoon I fished with him and Jonathan Shoemaker.
Tyler Berthold holds up one of the many pike we caught the afternoon I fished with him and Jonathan Shoemaker.
The Bassmaster Northern Open at Oneida Lake was a huge tournament that drew 196 boats. Many of the nation’s top pro bass anglers competed in this event.
The Bassmaster Northern Open at Oneida Lake was a huge tournament that drew 196 boats. Many of the nation’s top pro bass anglers competed in this event.
Tournament director Chris Bowes takes charge of the mandatory pre-tournament meeting.
Tournament director Chris Bowes takes charge of the mandatory pre-tournament meeting.
The meeting room was so packed that some anglers stood or sat on the floor.
The meeting room was so packed that some anglers stood or sat on the floor.
Shin Fukae was one of many accomplished professional bass anglers who entered the Oneida Northern Open. I pitched my tent next to his huge motor home during the tournament.
Shin Fukae was one of many accomplished professional bass anglers who entered the Oneida Northern Open. I pitched my tent next to his huge motor home during the tournament.
Oneida Lake has many rocky offshore humps and shoals. Some of them are quite shallow.
Oneida Lake has many rocky offshore humps and shoals. Some of them are quite shallow.
Pennsylvania angler John Lorenzo and his family were camped near me at Oneida Shores Park. Lorenzo holds the homemade 1-ounce jig he used to catch a 15-pound, 14-ounce limit of largemouth bass on the first day of the tournament. His largemouth vanished the second day.
Pennsylvania angler John Lorenzo and his family were camped near me at Oneida Shores Park. Lorenzo holds the homemade 1-ounce jig he used to catch a 15-pound, 14-ounce limit of largemouth bass on the first day of the tournament. His largemouth vanished the second day.