This year’s Easter Bunny Open featured better-than-usual weather, it being toward the end of April and all. But it was still no picnic on the water, with temps in the low to mid-50s chilled further by a sustained north/northwest wind of 10-12mph and gusts to 23mph for most of the day. The bluebird skies made it nicer for fishermen but did not help the bite. Water temps barely moved throughout the event, remaining in the upper 40s for the most part, barely reaching 50 in some wind-sheltered spots, but the sun seemed to have little warming effect on the water. Needless to say there was little, if any, sign of early bedding smallmouth. Continue reading

Mass Bass Federation State Team held an open on Lake Cochituate Sunday April 12^th.  You would have thought it was May 12^th with the great sunny warm weather they had.  Rich Snow and Marc Bourque lite them up to the tune of 20.43 Lbs.  They had a 5.37 pound Lake Cochituate largie to take the tournament Lunker.  Rich and Marc threw jerk baits, chatter baits and jigs to catch to walk away with the tournament.  Second place went to Jason Bacon and Brian Carmichael with 13.5 Lbs.  The State Team wants to remind everyone the next State Team Open Benefit will be April 26^th at Mashpee/Wakeby Pond.

Sponsored by

Reynolds Garage and Marine

Mass Bass Federation held its annual Youth Benefit Tournament on Lake Wequaquet on the Cape.  The weather was good for an early April tournament.  The winners were Dave Andrews and Scott Leppanen with 13.02 lbs. and lunker Smallmouth that weighed 2.85 lbs.  Dave and Scott primarily fished a variety of jerk baits along break lines while rotated through various spots. They caught one key fish on a jig under a dock. They culled only once during the day while catching four Largemouth and two Smallmouth. They found water temps of 42 to 47 F.  Second Place went to Bob Rivet and Ralph Glebus with 9.15 Lbs.  Bob and Ralph also had Lunker Largemouth of 5.73 Lbs.  Third Place went to the team of Jenkins and Jenkins with 5.91 Lbs.  Mass Bass Youth would like to thank all those that attended and our Youth sponsor Reynolds Garage and Marine.

Dave McNary named Massachusetts Bass Federation “Man of the Year” for 2013!

 The Federation rewarded Dave for all of his hard work and all of the time Dave has put in to make the Federation better for all the members.  Many other awards were given out at the Federation banquet held at Ken’s Steak House.  The banquet was well attended as usual with a lot of great raffle prizes donated by our sponsors.  There were many awards presented.  “Club of the Year” went to Northeast Bass Anglers.  Youth “Club of the Year” went to Wildside Bass Anglers.

President Erik Kaplan welcomed everyone and thanked everyone for attending the Mass Bass Federation annual awards banquet.  Erik started out by acknowledging important attendees in the room.  Tom Flannery from MA DCR our guest speaker for the evening.  John Candalmo TBF of RI President, and Jerrilyn and Mike Deflippo from the TBF RI Federation as well.

Erik thanked all of the Mass Bass Federation board members, Vice President Dave McNary, Treasurer Pete Demoya, our new Secretary Joe McKinnon and our two new Youth Directors Bob Rivet and Randy Almeida.  Erik also thanked Rich Snow and Marc Bourque the 2013 Youth Directors.  Without all of their help we would not be where we are today. Erik also thanked his wife Rachael and our daughter Rylee for putting up with all that goes on with being the Federation President this year.

Erik introduced Tom Flannery, Aquatic Ecologist for the Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation.  Tom gave a very interesting speech on invasive aquatic plants.

Erik thanked all the Federation sponsors, Northern Bass, Stormr, Fitt’s Insurance, MinnKota, Humminbird, Navionics, Reservoir Dawgs Customs, Go Graphix, USA Marine, Portside Marine, Boatworks, Casa Mia Italian Restaurant, RMR Associates, Lakeside Motel and Cabins, Lead Free Bass Jigs, MacLellan Metal Finishing and Paul E. Worms as local sponsors and Lowrance, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Berkley, Cabela’s, Soar Bat, Chevy, and FLW Outdoors as National partners.  Without the help of these sponsors we would not be able to provide you with the benefits and opportunities that we do.  Thanks to Kens Steakhouse as well. Continue reading