By Luigi De Rose
Lake Erie is a demanding place to fish. It's loaded with bass; world class smallmouth fishing at its best. But, Erie can be a treacherous place when the wind blows. That is my number one reason I will not entry as a co-angler on any of the Great Lakes. Numerous friends who fished as co-anglers have harrowing experiences from sea sickness to permanent back problems. How bad was it on the last day of the FLW EverStart Northern tournament? Well Bob Izumi, a Canadian super star and Great Lakes specialist, sheered the three port side bolts that held his trolling motor. Being a veteran tournament angler, he had the parts to fix the problem. "I have spares of spares but I had to drive to a protected areas to fix the trolling motor." explained Izumi.
Problems
Bassmaster Elite angler John Murray had mechanical problems the last day and needed to be toed in. He joked that it will take him 20 years to payoff the fee of being brought back to shore. This mishap cost him dearly and kept him from a higher finish. He finished tenth.
Lawrence Mazur, the champion of Lake Erie, explained that in his preparation for this tournament, he installed two bow mounted transducers and two graphs. He knew equipment failure would occur. His efforts payed off with a win. He explained that during the tournament one transducer broke and one of his graphs also broke. Without having a backup his success would have been very limited.
Erie Deep
Another interesting fact was the depth fished. All of the anglers focused very deep except Mike Desforges. Lawrence Mazur had his best success in 57 to 70 feet deep. That is lake trout deep! Second place angler Gaspar Costabile worked 42 to 46 feet of water. Third place angler Simon Frost didn't reveal exact depths but alluded he was deep. Mike Desforges, in fourth, buck the trend and worked spinnerbaits and jerkbaits in water in the mid teens.
Hope you liked my two cents on this tournament. A lot of good anglers illustrated that fishing on the Great Lakes focuses on three key elements: location, equipment, determination. Each angler took a lot of time to find the correct locations and then had the nerve to drive in rough seas to arrive there. Equipment failure is part of the game under such demanding conditions, so be prepared.
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Showing posts with label Gaspare Costabile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gaspare Costabile. Show all posts
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion) Day 3: Mazur Wins Erie
Pecore wins co-angler title during Northern Division contest
20.Aug.2011
By David A. Brown
FLW PRESS RELASE
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| Mazur was the only one to bring in a big bag on the final day. (Photos: David S. Brown FLW ) |
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Lawrence Mazur of Lancaster, N.Y., weighed a five-bass limit totaling 20 pounds, 1 ounce Saturday to win the EverStart Series Northern Division event on Lake Erie with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 64 pounds, 8 ounces. For his victory, Mazur earned $26,722 and a 198VX Ranger boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard motor.
“It was a tough, tough run, but I made it,” said Mazur. “I’m speechless. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been at this a long time and had a lot of letdowns, but I finally put it all together.”
Friday, August 19, 2011
FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion) Day 2: Constabile Takes Command of Erie.
By Luigi De Rose
"Gaspare is the MAN!" explains outdoor writer and former Niagara resident, Lonnie King. Today Gaspare didn't disappoint with another 22-11 pound limit, vaulting him into the lead. His two day total of 44-13 is good enough for first but just barely. Lawrence Mazur, of nearby Lancaster New York, stunned the crowd with a whopping 24-03 bag today, lifting him into second. His two day creel is 44-07, just 6 ounces shy of the Gaspare. Even more impressive was his co-angler, Nicolas Supik, who's day 2 bag weighed 24-03. That's almost 50 pounds of smallmouth from one boat! Most people who have such a banner day wish they were in a tournament, luckily for Lawence and Nicolas they were.
In third place is John Voyles, Petersburg In, with a 20-08 bag today. Yesterday, he also had a 20 pound plus day and sits just off the lead. First day co-leader Simon Frost, St. Catherines, On slipped a bit. He managed 18-14 and fell to fourth. Another solid angler who did untypically poor on day 1, Mike Desforges roared into fifth place on the back of a 20-12 bag of smallmouth.
The rest of the top ten looks like this:
6 CHRIS JOHNSTON PETERBOROUGH, ON 37-07
7 JOHN MURRAY PHOENIX, AZ 37-04
8 BARRY PRINGLE WELLAND, ON 36-12
9 BRAD BRODNICKI AMHERST, NY 36-06
10 BOB IZUMI MILTON, ON 36-06
Six of the top 10 are from Ontario and all can do well. Note that Bob Izumi was the winner at the last EverStart on Lake Ontario. Bob is eight pounds off the lead so it looks like it he'll not win but you never know. Once thing is clear, Izumi will be leading the Northern EverStart point race by the end of this tournament.
This will be a game of ounces so expect a very close tournament.
Be back soon.
"Gaspare is the MAN!" explains outdoor writer and former Niagara resident, Lonnie King. Today Gaspare didn't disappoint with another 22-11 pound limit, vaulting him into the lead. His two day total of 44-13 is good enough for first but just barely. Lawrence Mazur, of nearby Lancaster New York, stunned the crowd with a whopping 24-03 bag today, lifting him into second. His two day creel is 44-07, just 6 ounces shy of the Gaspare. Even more impressive was his co-angler, Nicolas Supik, who's day 2 bag weighed 24-03. That's almost 50 pounds of smallmouth from one boat! Most people who have such a banner day wish they were in a tournament, luckily for Lawence and Nicolas they were.
In third place is John Voyles, Petersburg In, with a 20-08 bag today. Yesterday, he also had a 20 pound plus day and sits just off the lead. First day co-leader Simon Frost, St. Catherines, On slipped a bit. He managed 18-14 and fell to fourth. Another solid angler who did untypically poor on day 1, Mike Desforges roared into fifth place on the back of a 20-12 bag of smallmouth.
The rest of the top ten looks like this:
6 CHRIS JOHNSTON PETERBOROUGH, ON 37-07
7 JOHN MURRAY PHOENIX, AZ 37-04
8 BARRY PRINGLE WELLAND, ON 36-12
9 BRAD BRODNICKI AMHERST, NY 36-06
10 BOB IZUMI MILTON, ON 36-06
Six of the top 10 are from Ontario and all can do well. Note that Bob Izumi was the winner at the last EverStart on Lake Ontario. Bob is eight pounds off the lead so it looks like it he'll not win but you never know. Once thing is clear, Izumi will be leading the Northern EverStart point race by the end of this tournament.
This will be a game of ounces so expect a very close tournament.
Be back soon.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion Day 1: Press Release
Co-angler Ramsier sacks 20-plus in EverStart Northern
18.Aug.2011 by David A. Brown
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| Gaspare a close second due to penalty. |
BUFFALO, N.Y. – EverStart Northern Division anglers started today with two expectations: First, Lake Erie holds the potential for smallmouth quantity and quality. Second, the great lake would make anglers work for their weights. Suffice it to say that Erie delivered on both levels.
We’ll get the latter out of the way right off the bat. Sparing everyone the whimsical analogies, Lake Erie was downright rough. Winds kicked up to 15-mph and seas rose to eight feet. That’s nothing new for Erie, as the shallowest of the Great Lakes is easily stirred. However, that’s no consolation for those who spent eight hours in the relentless slop.
No one’s complaining – this is all voluntary recreation. Nevertheless, a lot of worn-out and nearly psyched-out anglers crossed the stage today with tales of brutal poundings, broken trolling motors and motion sickness.
We’ll get the latter out of the way right off the bat. Sparing everyone the whimsical analogies, Lake Erie was downright rough. Winds kicked up to 15-mph and seas rose to eight feet. That’s nothing new for Erie, as the shallowest of the Great Lakes is easily stirred. However, that’s no consolation for those who spent eight hours in the relentless slop.
No one’s complaining – this is all voluntary recreation. Nevertheless, a lot of worn-out and nearly psyched-out anglers crossed the stage today with tales of brutal poundings, broken trolling motors and motion sickness.
FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion) Day 1: Frost and Brodnicki Tie for first!
Big Weights result in a Tie for Lead.
By Luigi De Rose
I was humble during the last EverStart tournament when I predicted the winner and almost the entire top 5 but today I really predicted well. Simon Frost and Brad Brodnicki tied for first with a 22-05. Amazingly, Gaspare Costabile actually was the leader but fell to a first day weight of 22-02 due to a dead fish penalty. John Voyles captured fourth with a great bag 21-08 and Bassmaster Elite angler, John Murray landed fifth with 21-02. Three out of five isn't bad for odds.
The official press release will be up shortly.
Top 20
1 BRAD BRODNICKI AMHERST, NY 5 22-05
1 SIMON FROST ST. CATHARINES, ON 5 22-05
3 GASPARE COSTABILE NIAGARA FALLS, ON 5 22-02
4 JOHN VOYLES PETERSBURG, IN 5 21-08
5 JOHN MURRAY PHOENIX, AZ 5 21-02
6 LAWRENCE MAZUR LANCASTER, NY 5 20-04
7 BARRY PRINGLE WELLAND, ON 5 19-07
8 JESS CARABALLO DANBURY, CT 5 18-15
9 DEREK STRUB ELORA, ON 5 18-10
10 BILL CHAPMAN SALT ROCK, WV 5 18-07
11 CHRIS JOHNSTON PETERBOROUGH, ON 5 18-06
12 DANIEL WELCH NEW MARTINSVILLE, WV 5 18-03
13 RANDY YARNALL WOMELSDORF, PA 5 18-01
14 MATT STASIAK PITTSBURGH, PA 5 17-14
15 FAB MARCHESE ANCASTER, ON 5 17-08
15 STEVE VOROS SPRINGFIELD, ON 5 17-08
17 ALVARO LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ SAINT CHARLES, IL 5 17-07
18 GEORGE LAMBETH THOMASVILLE, NC 5 17-05
19 KEVIN SHORT MAYFLOWER, AR 5 17-04
20 DENIS KREZE FORT ERIE, ON 5 17-03
By Luigi De Rose
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| Frost in first. (Photos: David A Brown FLW) |
Fishing was great on Erie for the ones who had located them. The top 6 anglers all had over 20 pounds and the rest of the top 10 had over 18 pounds. With so many local guys doing well it is politically incorrect to pick a leader or stronger angler. Barry Pringle and Derek Strub are both in the top 10 and Chris Johnson is in 11th with 18 pounds. Again, never count out Bob Izumi or Mike Desforges. They are too talented to ever dismiss. I'll give it another day but my faves are Frost and Costabile.
The official press release will be up shortly.
Top 20
1 BRAD BRODNICKI AMHERST, NY 5 22-05
1 SIMON FROST ST. CATHARINES, ON 5 22-05
3 GASPARE COSTABILE NIAGARA FALLS, ON 5 22-02
4 JOHN VOYLES PETERSBURG, IN 5 21-08
5 JOHN MURRAY PHOENIX, AZ 5 21-02
6 LAWRENCE MAZUR LANCASTER, NY 5 20-04
7 BARRY PRINGLE WELLAND, ON 5 19-07
8 JESS CARABALLO DANBURY, CT 5 18-15
9 DEREK STRUB ELORA, ON 5 18-10
10 BILL CHAPMAN SALT ROCK, WV 5 18-07
11 CHRIS JOHNSTON PETERBOROUGH, ON 5 18-06
12 DANIEL WELCH NEW MARTINSVILLE, WV 5 18-03
13 RANDY YARNALL WOMELSDORF, PA 5 18-01
14 MATT STASIAK PITTSBURGH, PA 5 17-14
15 FAB MARCHESE ANCASTER, ON 5 17-08
15 STEVE VOROS SPRINGFIELD, ON 5 17-08
17 ALVARO LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ SAINT CHARLES, IL 5 17-07
18 GEORGE LAMBETH THOMASVILLE, NC 5 17-05
19 KEVIN SHORT MAYFLOWER, AR 5 17-04
20 DENIS KREZE FORT ERIE, ON 5 17-03
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion): Pre-tournament info
By Luigi De Rose
The FLW EverStart Northern on Lake Erie is one day away. This year it is out of Buffalo, New York and the fishing should be good. The eastern portion of Lake Erie offers two distinct fishing environments; the big lake and the upper Niagara River. Both sections offer great fishing but only the main lake offers a chance to win. The place is smallmouth heaven. If you don't fish for brown then you're going down.
Lake Erie is a bowl shaped area with not as much structure as one would wish for. Subtleties are the key to unlocking the smallmouth game here. Suspended bass are another technique that will win. Much more technically risky than dragging bottom, colossal bass hover off bottom. Kota Kiriyama won the last Bassmater tournament the last time the Elite anglers were in Buffalo fishing this way. So it can be done.
Techniques will not vary much. Drop shotting and dragging tubes (if the bottom is clean) are really the two best methods. This time of year is not great for big spinnerbaits, jerkbaits or even spoons. Finding the best schools of fish and being able to fish them well is the key to this tournament.
Weather is a huge factor; maybe the most critical factor in this tournament. The eastern portion of Lake Erie offers no shelter from pounding wind and waves. You could duck into the River, but your chances to consistently doing well drops dramatically.
Big players will be mostly Canadians again. The taste of blood is in everyone's mouth and they're out for more trophies.
My pick is simple. Mike DesForges all the way. He has won many times from Buffalo and he is simply the man out there. Not sure if he is fishing, the pairing is not up yet, is Gaspare Costabile. He is a local and had several near misses on Lake Erie with American tournaments. He is another easy pick.
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| Mike Desforges All The Way! |
Lake Erie is a bowl shaped area with not as much structure as one would wish for. Subtleties are the key to unlocking the smallmouth game here. Suspended bass are another technique that will win. Much more technically risky than dragging bottom, colossal bass hover off bottom. Kota Kiriyama won the last Bassmater tournament the last time the Elite anglers were in Buffalo fishing this way. So it can be done.
Techniques will not vary much. Drop shotting and dragging tubes (if the bottom is clean) are really the two best methods. This time of year is not great for big spinnerbaits, jerkbaits or even spoons. Finding the best schools of fish and being able to fish them well is the key to this tournament.
Weather is a huge factor; maybe the most critical factor in this tournament. The eastern portion of Lake Erie offers no shelter from pounding wind and waves. You could duck into the River, but your chances to consistently doing well drops dramatically.
 |
| Gaspare Costabile another top Pick. |
My pick is simple. Mike DesForges all the way. He has won many times from Buffalo and he is simply the man out there. Not sure if he is fishing, the pairing is not up yet, is Gaspare Costabile. He is a local and had several near misses on Lake Erie with American tournaments. He is another easy pick.
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