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Two Coveted Bassmaster Classic Berths and Seven Elite Series Invites to be Awarded Sept. 26 at Lake Erie Northern Open Tournament

Category: press release

 Sep 14th, 2009 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Sep 14th, 2009 at 12:00 AM

If pro Aaron Hastings posts a high finish in next week’s Bassmaster Northern Open tournament on Lake Erie, he has a good chance of going home with an invitation to the 2010 Bassmaster Classic.

“That’s my goal, to make the Classic. I really would like to fish a Classic,” Hastings said the day before he planned to leave his Boonesboro, Md., home for a week-long practice for the Sept. 24-26 Northern Open event.

“I’ve fished there (Lake Erie) half a dozen times,” he said. “I’ve done really well out of Buffalo, and out of Cleveland. I’ve never even seen Sandusky Bay, but my comfort level’s high. I think, given the correct conditions, I can do well.”

The three-day competition out of Sandusky, Ohio, will be the Northern Open’s season finale. That’s when each anglers’ points from all three of the circuit’s 2009 tournaments will be tallied. Only the top two pros will win Classic berths.

Besides the Classic qualifications, other big prizes are at stake. The Lake Erie event’s first prize on the pro side is $45,000. The top co-angler prize is a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $32,000.

To end up with one of the two Classic qualifications, Hastings has some ground to make up. He has 481 points going in, and the Nos. 1 and 2 pros are holding 590 and 540 points. Those top positions are held by, respectively, Frank Scalish of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Elite pro Michael Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J. The full points standings can be found below.

Because Hastings will enter the Lake Erie contest ranked fifth in the points race, the odds are in his favor that he will end up with another of the Northern Open’s big prizes: Eligibility to join the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series. Elite invitations will be awarded Sept. 26 to the top seven Northern pros.

This could be Hastings’ time to move up into the top tier of competitive bass fishing. Now 37 and the owner of a commercial cleaning business, he has been competing since he was 16, when, he said, he won his first tournament. It was a Bassmaster Federation Nation event in Maryland, and he was invited by a neighbor to participate. Ever since, he has competed in BASS tournaments and in those of other circuits.

Hastings isn’t underestimating Lake Erie. He knows much depends on the lake’s wind and waves during practice and competition. Even a 10-knot wind can kick up the Erie rollers.

A sustained wind can hamper a practice, he said, because wind can limit an angler’s ability to scout a lot of water. One flat-water practice day can make a big difference, he added. That would mean a pro can build a large list of waypoints, go-to areas that are known to hold schools of Erie smallmouth, he said.

Most pros will work deeper structure (about 25 feet, average) for smallies with tubes, Carolina rigs and other deep-water tactics, Hastings said. He predicted that 20 pounds a day will be needed to win the event.

Another Northern Open competitor, Steven Clapper of Lima, Ohio, guessed that as little as 8 pounds a day could put a pro in contention for the win. A retired construction superintendent, the 61-year-old Clapper fishes Erie frequently.

“It’s looking supertough right now, for me, anyway, and for several friends also in the competition,” Clapper said from his boat as he was scouting the water Sept. 14. “I don’t know what’s going on here. We had a big algae bloom that practically covers the whole western basin. It’s breaking up now, but it seems to have put the fish into a kind of funk.”

By “funk,” he said, he meant the bite was slow, and fish are not where he expected them to be. But the wind has not been too bad, he said.

“I’d say it is favorable – I’m in a 2-foot chop right now,” he said.

The usual fall pattern hasn’t kicked in yet, he said. “There have been some fish moving up shallow, but typically, conditions are what I like best: fishing deep structure. I would expect this to be won on deep structure.”

Out of Sandusky, Ohio, the tournament’s launches and weigh-ins will be at Shelby Street Boat Launch, 101 Shelby St. Takeoff is set for 7 a.m. ET. Weigh-ins will begin at 3:05 p.m. ET.

All Northern Open events are free and open to the public.

Bassmaster.com will present live, streaming video and real-time leaderboards of the weigh-ins each day of the Thursday-Saturday competition. Daily photo galleries, results and standings also will be posted.

The local sponsor of the event is the city of Sandusky (http://www.ci.sandusky.oh.us).

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit http://www.Bassmaster.com. Visit http://www.espnoutdoorsmedia.com for ESPN Outdoors’ latest releases and releases.

Bassmaster Open sponsors include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, OPTIMA Batteries and Triton Boats.

About BASS: For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com; and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

Media Contact: Doug Grassian; [email protected]; 407-566-2216

2009 BASSMASTER NORTHERN OPEN POINTS STANDINGS

2009 Northern 2 – Plattsburgh, NY – Northern 2 – Plattsburgh, NY Boater Points After Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y. Ending 08-22-2009, Day 3
——————————————-
Place Name St Pts
——————————————-
1 Frank Scalish Ohio 590
2 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 540
3 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 515
4 J Todd Tucker Ga. 499
5 Aaron Hastings Md. 481
6 Scott Parker N.H. 463
7 Steve Oleksyn N.Y. 462
8 Ken Cook Okla. 456
9 Matt Greenblatt Fla. 454
10 Terry Baksay Conn. 453
11 Dave Wolak N.C. 443
12 Pete Gluszek N.J. 442
13 Kevin Short Ark. 438
14 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 428
15 Dave Mansue N.J. 425
15 Ish Monroe Calif. 425
17 Marty Stone N.C. 420
18 Rodney Sorrell N.C. 415
19 Brian Bylotas Pa. 396
19 Byron Haseotes Mass. 396
21 Chris Daves Va. 386
21 Mike Wolfenden R.I. 386
23 Chris Sumansky Pa. 377
24 Whitney Stephens Ohio 364
25 Brandon Coulter Tenn. 362
26 Todd Glover Mich. 359
27 Curtis Richardson Canada 356
28 Daryl Biron Conn. 352
29 Nate Wellman Mich. 346
30 Sean Wieda Ky. 344
31 Scott Lakey Mich. 338
31 Jason Knapp Pa. 338
33 Monty Fralick S.D. 334
34 Sean Alvarez Vt. 328
34 Paul Leblanc Mass. 328
36 Ryan Park Pa. 326
37 Thomas Waltz Vt. 324
38 Trevor Jancasz Mich. 320
39 Craig Townsend N.J. 316
40 Chris Price Md. 315
41 Doug Kirkbride N.Y. 314
42 Keith Kurpicki N.J. 305
43 Charlie Hartley Ohio 300
44 Paul Pagnato Va. 292
45 Pat Golden N.C. 290
45 Dana Perrotte Vt. 290
47 Jonathon Vandam Mich. 284
48 David Smith Okla. 281
48 Jason Dudek Minn. 281
50 Andre Moore Ala. 278
51 Sam Greer Ky. 270
52 Eric Johnson Mass. 269
53 Darrin Schwenkbeck N.Y. 266
54 Gaspare Costabile Canada 264
54 Chad Rice Md. 264
56 Mark Desjardin Maine 262
56 Derek Jones Ill. 262
58 Thomas Lavictoire Vt. 260
59 Glenn Delong Ohio 259
60 Mike Elkins Mich. 256
60 William Sanders Md. 256
62 Gary Gaussiran Canada 254
63 Jeremy Prouty Fla. 252
63 David Hovanec N.Y. 252
63 Tom Booth N.Y. 252
66 Chad Morgenthaler Ill. 251
67 Brian Gates Vt. 250
68 Kip Carter Ga. 242
69 Jimmy Kennedy Vt. 241
70 Dave Rochette Canada 240
71 Chris Noffsinger Mich. 236
72 Mark Hickory Vt. 233
73 Phil Colarusso N.Y. 231
73 Tom Mason N.J. 231
75 Steve Lucarelli N.H. 229
75 Bryan Schmitt Md. 229
77 David Andrews Mass. 228
77 Steve Panaroni Conn. 228
79 Garrett Green Canada 226
80 Lyle Atkins W.Va. 223
80 Casey Rohring N.Y. 223
82 Steven Clapper Ohio 222
82 Alvaro Rodriguez N.Y. 222
84 Joe Lucarelli N.H. 221
85 Leo Reiter Ind. 217
86 Craig Nels N.Y. 211
87 Joe Balog Mich. 210
88 Ryan Hawthorne Conn. 209
89 Russell Colwell Md. 207
90 Mark Burgess Mass. 206
91 Curt Stickney Mich. 205
92 Josh Giran Pa. 204
93 J Judd Vt. 201
94 George Acord Pa. 193
94 James Pocratsky Pa. 193
94 Steve Schubert Ohio 193
97 Don Fowler Mich. 192
98 Shawn Skobel Pa. 190
99 Scott Cremeans Ohio 189
100 Stephen Sykas Vt. 187
100 Adam Weiser Pa. 187
102 Bill Spence Vt. 186
103 Ac Campbell Pa. 183
104 Brian Hatfield Ky. 178
104 John Vanore N.J. 178
106 Charles Sim Canada 175
106 Cliff Blackford Mich. 175
108 Michael Drew Vt. 173
109 Bobby Lane Fla. 171
109 Daniel Rodriguez Md. 171
111 Joseph Thompson Pa. 169
111 Jason Root Ohio 169
113 Edwin Gardner Md. 167
114 Mark Kulik Canada 165
115 Jelani Hennessey Va. 164
116 Ron Plocek N.Y. 159
117 Scott Sewell Md. 155
118 Brian Cook Ohio 154
119 Otto David N.Y. 153
119 Frank Ippoliti Pa. 153
121 Jim Dillard Ark. 151
121 Robert Cook Mich. 151
123 Dan Moran Ohio 146
124 Tim Aldrich Mass. 141
124 Duane Essick Del. 141
126 Brad Wall Ohio 140
127 Jamie Worth Pa. 138
128 Mike Mantha Mass. 133
129 Jim Staszewski Maine 127
129 Jerrod Lloyd N.J. 127
129 Chris Johnson W.Va. 127
129 Jess Salmon N.J. 127
133 Matt Herren Ala. 125
134 Britt Myers S.C. 123
134 Mark Peiser Ind. 123
136 Anthony Borkoski Ohio 122
137 Ray Brazier Tenn. 120
138 Brian Feutz Mich. 119
139 Louis Consoli Pa. 117
140 Donald Staszczyk N.Y. 113
140 Donald Murray Del. 113
142 Ken Baumgardner Pa. 112
143 Jami Fralick S.D. 110
143 Rick Ash Pa. 110
145 Byron Velvick Texas 109
146 Bill Brown Pa. 106
147 Matt Stefan Ill. 103
148 Michael Randolph Texas 102
149 Eric Sertl N.Y. 101
150 William Lortz N.Y. 99
151 Jeff Stoner Pa. 98
152 Preston Clark Fla. 97
153 Rob Webster Canada 93
153 Woo Daves Va. 93
153 Bill Byers Ohio 93
156 Mike Leblanc Vt. 91
157 Jim Tedesco Canada 85
158 Jeffrey Randall N.Y. 83
158 Jerald Conley N.J. 83
160 Mike Smith Canada 81
160 Antonio Gomez N.J. 81
162 Kyle Walling Ky. 80
163 Louis Iribarren N.Y. 79
164 Frank Vida Conn. 76
165 Bill Rea Ohio 73
166 Jonathan Carter Maine 72
167 Richard Favire N.J. 71
168 Mike Weiss Wisc. 68
168 Andrew Dick Del. 68
170 Denis Lavoie Canada 67
170 Paul Molan Ohio 67
172 Brian Ward Mich. 66
173 Chris Jackson Ala. 63
173 Lewis Denney Tenn. 63
175 Brad Rightnour Pa. 59
175 Jeffrey Russell N.Y. 59
177 Jeff Kuhar Ohio 53
177 John Kolinski Wisc. 53
179 Sumiyuki Takano Fla. 52
179 Doc Merkin Ill. 52
181 Michael Sims N.J. 50
182 Dave Carey Md. 49
183 Michael Sweeney Mass. 48
184 Fred Serge N.J. 47
185 Adrian Avena N.J. 44
186 Mike Hancin Conn. 43
186 Lee Cox Md. 43
188 Henry Stone N.Y. 42
189 Kurt Dove Texas 41
190 Gregory Dipalma N.J. 40
191 Michael Kozell N.Y. 39
191 Wesley Strader Tenn. 39
193 Emery Peine N.J. 35
194 Jack Rinkers Pa. 25
195 Jason Stoddard Vt. 24
196 Doug Wilson Vt. 20
197 Tony Johnson Ohio 19
198 Earl Purcell Mass. 15
199 Mike Kaminskas N.J. 14
200 John Cromwell Tenn. 13
201 Larry Bailey Ohio 11
202 Del Smith Ohio 8
203 Joby Poster Pa. 7
204 Leon Dykas Conn. 6
205 Will Jefferies Utah 5
206 Michael Scanlon Pa. 2
207 Michael Mundy N.Y. 0
207 Bill Vierzen N.H. 0
207 Robert Fisher Vt. 0
207 Rick Anderson Pa. 0
207 Andy Krizan Mich. 0
207 Chris Daniels N.C. 0
207 Guyowen Hall W.Va. 0
207 Joshua Treibley Pa. 0
207 Kevin Shearer Ohio 0
207 Joe Hunt Pa. 0
207 Edward Thayer Del. 0
207 Sheron Brown Mass. 0
207 Scott Kahabka N.Y. 0
207 Antonino Correnti Md. 0
207 Jonathan Else Pa. 0
207 Aaron Stone N.Y. 0
207 Josh Guess Fla. 0
207 Royce Madden N.C. 0
207 Andy Starner Pa. 0
207 Jess Caraballo Conn. 0
207 Greg Hackney La. 0
207 William Kemp N.C. 0
207 Brian Wilhoit Md. 0
207 Stu Martel Ill. 0