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Lowrance Somerset BASS Pro Results & Story
#330 - 0--bassadmin--Lowrance Somerset BASS Pro Results & Story--2009-08-15 13:01:36
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Victory at Somerset
BASS Pro
The final qualifying round of the 2009 BASS Pro Series saw
the tour hit Queensland's Lake Somerset
for one of the hardest and the most frugal stops of the tour. While many anglers
struggled to get a handle on the inconsistent and hard to pattern bite, a
selection reveled in the conditions, landing a host of Somerset's famous XOS bass.
Current AFC angler and former BASS Pro Grand Final champion
Matthew Mott mastered the bite the best, compiling a 5/6, 6.6kg limit to secure
the win by just under two kilos and stamp his authority on the field heading
into next month's Grand Final.
Click here for pics, here for boater BASS AOY results & here for non-boater BASS AOY. - Fishing for a deepwater bite Mott spent his tournament
fishing the breakline into the old creek bed north of Bay 13.
"We found a similar pattern this time last year when the
fish moved from the flats where everyone was catching them, south to less known
locations", explained Mott.
Sounding fish holding tight to top of the 35 feet deep
breakline, Mott worked the area over with an ice jig.
"The fish held tight to the bottom for most of time, so the
best approach was to work the lure in close contact with the bottom, and wait
for the active fish to move through", explained Mott.
With the fish suffering under the heavy angling pressure, staying
steadfast to the correct retrieve proved crucial.
"Many of the guys would lift the lure too far off the
bottom, and waver from the technique you needed to get the fish to bite",
explained Mott.
For Mott this involved never lifting the ice jig no more
than a foot of the bottom and using a baitcaster rather than a spin outfit to
maximize line control.
"The baitcaster gives you better line control when working
the lure small distances. I could lift the lure up, then drop it back down much
easier and quicker with the baitcaster", explained Mott.
While the bass were tight lipped for much of the tournament,
they turned on for brief periods.
"You'd see the fish lift up of the bottom on the sounder,
and you'd know they were going to bite. It was like this in session two when I
caught two fish on my first two drops. The second one being the 2.79kg kicker
fish", explained Mott.
The window of activity delivering Mott 25 legal fish for the
session and a 1.53kg lead heading into the final session. A consolidating 1/2,
0.83kg final day bag kept his challengers at bay, giving Mott another BASS Pro
victory and a confidence boost heading into the Grand Final.
The tackle he used to secure his win included twin G.Loomis
CBR843 rods, matched to a Daiwa Steez 103 and Daiwa TDZ reel, and both spooled
with 6lb Sunline PE and 10lb Vanish fluorocarbon leader.
On the winner's dais Mott was gallant in victory,
acknowledging the importance of his fellow anglers and friends in making the
sport and his win one of his most memorable.
"We love bass fishing largely because of the friends we have
the ones that we make doing it. One of them in particular Ian Black is very ill
at the moment and it's this victory that I would like to dedicate to him",
expressed an acknowledging Matthew.
Claiming his best finish to date on BASS Pro Tour was event
runner-up, Megabass and Atomic bass pro Steve Eldred, Compiling a 5/6, 4.66kg bag
for the tournament Eldred was one of the few successful anglers who spent his
time fishing the timber north of Kirkleigh.
"I didn't catch much in the timber during the prefish, but I
stuck with my experience from last year and plugged away none the less", explained
Eldred.
With his boat in 15 feet of water, Eldred worked his away
along the largely featureless banks, casting a 3/8 oz white Bassman Spinnerbait
up into the shallows.
"There was no really pattern when it came to the banks that
held fish", explained Eldred.
There was the occasional laydown or stump, but that was it
really. It was more of case of keep your lure in the water as much as possible
and waiting for the fish to come along", added Steve.
A standout retrieve was equally indefinable with Eldred
alternating between pause fueled fast retrieves and a constant slow roll.
Strikes were however a bit more consistent, with the majority of fish hitting
the spinnerbait half way back to the boat.
The tackle he used to compile his two-day bag included a
6'6" Samurai Reaction 351 rod, Daiwa Steez 103 reel, spooled with 15lb Unitika PE,
and 10lb fluorocarbon leader. His money bait, a white skirted Bassman
Spinnerbait was fitted with a Gamakatsu stinger hook for added insurance.
"All the fish in my bag came on the stinger, so I guess it
shows just how important it is to use one", explained Eldred.
The Pro division saw ten boaters option up to value add
their winnings, with Steve Eldred claiming the $825 1st place
payout, Tim Morgan the $450 2nd place prize and Lowrance BASS Pro
David Young the $225 3rd place cheque.
Claiming victory in the non-boater division was 33 year old Newcastle basser Andrew
Drennan. Fishing with Dan Ryan on day one, Drennan kick started his tournament
fishing Mask Vibs and blades on 35 feet deep flats north of Pelican Point.
"I persevered with the blades and vibs for a while and caught
nothing. So I swapped over to a Nilsmaster Ice Jig that Craig Simmons had given
me", explained Drennan.
The change proved successful with Drennan catching two fish
in quick succession in session two to compile a 2/2, 2.68kg limit. The retrieve
for the ice jig by his own admission was fairly straight forward, with the
nonboater champion sinking the lure to the bottom before working the lure with
a short hop, hop, drop retrieve.
The fish were hanging close to the bottom so it was
important to not lift the lure too far off the bottom", explained Drennan.
Hitting the same area on day two with his new boater Grant
Boyle, Drennan adopted the same approach, lifting and dropping ice jigs onto
the nose of sounded fish. The technique delivering him one legal fish for the
session and a ten gram winning margin over his nearest rival, 2009 BASS Pro
Non-boater Angler of the Year Ashley Sims, 2/6, 3.14kg.
Drennan's tournament winning tackle included a Berkley Pro
Tactic rod, Daiwa 2500 Sol reel, spooled with 10lb Berkley Fireline and 8lb
Nitlon leader. While his gun lure proved to be the Simmo borrowed, green
backed, white bellied and red tailed Nilsmaster Ice Jig.
The Daiwa Big Bass for the event changed hands many times
during the tournament, starting on 1.95kg in session one before finally coming
to rest with Wayne Beazley's 3.30kg monster in session two.
Caught on an ice jig near The Spit it was the kicker fish in
his bag that pushed him into the top five, and delivered him a fairytale finish
to his first event on Somerset.
The race for the BASS Pro Angler of the Year title was a
nail biting affair with point score leader David Green and NSW basser Wayne
Beazley battling hard all the way to the final weigh-in. Tieing on 283 points
the dead heat had to be split, with victory going to the angler with the best
result at the last event of series, Somerset. Wayne Beazley claimed the honours
with his 5th place eclipsing David Green's 24th by a
convincing 19 positions.
Post victory Beazley was still somewhat dazed and confused
by what he'd achieved.
"I can't believe this has happen. I came here having never
fished the location and really only expecting to catch a couple of fish and
hopefully getting to know the place a little for the Grand Final. To win the
AOY and become only the second NSW angler to do so is more than I could ever
have dreamed of", explained a jubilant Beazley.
The final stop for the BASS Pro Series sees the tour return
to Lake Somerset, 26/27th September
for the biggest event of the year, the BASS Pro Grand Final. Thirty boaters and
thirty non-boaters will make the journey, two will go home crowned the 2009
BASS Pro Grand Final Champion. Doing so, writing their names into the ABT
history books and joining an elite list of former winners.
For more information visit www.australiabass.com.au or phone
ABT (07) 3387 0888.
| Lowrance Somerset BASS Pro Qualifier Boater Results | |||||||||||
| Place | Angler | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | F3 | W3 | TF | TW | Payout |
| 1 | Matthew MOTT | QLD | 2 | 1.71 | 2 | 4.06 | 1 | 0.83 | 5 | 6.6 | $3600, $50 Bass to Barra voucher |
| 2 | Steve ELDRED | QLD | 1 | 1.24 | 2 | 1.74 | 2 | 1.68 | 5 | 4.66 | $2000, $50 Bass to Barra voucher, Pro 1 $825 |
| 3 | Shaun PARKINSON | Qld | 2 | 3.42 | 1 | 1.23 | 3 | 4.65 | $1400, $50 Bass to Barra voucher | ||
| 4 | Spiro ZANTIOTIS | QLD | 2 | 3.24 | 1 | 1.25 | 3 | 4.49 | $1100, $50 Bass to Barra voucher | ||
| 5 | Wayne BEAZLEY | NSW | 2 | 4.24 | 2 | 4.24 | $900, $50 Bass to Barra voucher, $500 + Daiwa reel - 3.3kg big bass | ||||
| 6 | Brad CLARK | QLD | 2 | 1.62 | 2 | 2.4 | 4 | 4.02 | $700, $50 Battery Traders voucher | ||
| 7 | Tim MORGAN | QLD | 1 | 0.62 | 2 | 3.24 | 3 | 3.86 | $700, $50 Battery Traders voucher, Pro 2 $450 | ||
| 8 | Peter MAY | Qld | 2 | 1.79 | 2 | 2.07 | 4 | 3.86 | $550, $50 Battery Traders voucher | ||
| 9 | William SCHLOSS | QLD | 1 | 2.52 | 2 | 1.04 | 3 | 3.56 | $550, $50 Battery Traders voucher | ||
| 10 | Gavin MCKAY | Qld | 2 | 3.43 | 2 | 3.43 | $400, $50 Battery Traders voucher | ||||
| 11 | Daniel CLANCY | NSW | 1 | 1.28 | 2 | 1.89 | 3 | 3.17 | $400, $50 Fish n Bits voucher | ||
| 12 | Adrian MELCHIOR | NSW | 1 | 0.87 | 1 | 1.03 | 1 | 1.19 | 3 | 3.09 | $400, $50 Fish n Bits voucher |
| 13 | Wayne BLUNDELL | QLD | 1 | 0.78 | 1 | 0.72 | 1 | 1.55 | 3 | 3.05 | |
| 14 | Trevor FOOTE | QLD | 1 | 1.23 | 1 | 0.79 | 1 | 0.82 | 3 | 2.84 | |
| 15 | David YOUNG | QLD | 2 | 2.81 | 2 | 2.81 | Pro 3 - $225 | ||||
| 16 | Baden SPARROW | QLD | 1 | 0.77 | 1 | 0.64 | 1 | 1.08 | 3 | 2.49 | |
| 17 | John BRIDER | Qld | 1 | 1.51 | 1 | 0.87 | 2 | 2.38 | |||
| 18 | Simon BARKHUIZEN | QLD | 1 | 2.24 | 1 | 2.24 | |||||
| 19 | Mike CREIGHTON | QLD | 2 | 1.54 | 1 | 0.69 | 3 | 2.23 | |||
| 20 | Matthewjames ANDERSON | NSW | 2 | 2.19 | 2 | 2.19 | |||||
| 21 | Paul GILLESPIE | NSW | 1 | 1.96 | 1 | 1.96 | |||||
| 22 | Stephen ALMOND | NSW | 1 | 1.94 | 1 | 1.94 | |||||
| 23 | Stuart FRANCE | Qld | 2 | 1.93 | 2 | 1.93 | |||||
| 24 | David GREEN | QLD | 1 | 0.85 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.85 | |||
| 25 | Steven OTTO | QLD | 1 | 1.66 | 1 | 1.66 | |||||
| 26 | Paul COOPER | QLD | 2 | 1.66 | 2 | 1.66 | |||||
| 26 | Peter MORGAN | QLD | 1 | 1.66 | 1 | 1.66 | |||||
| 28 | Aaron MOGG | Qld | 2 | 1.63 | 2 | 1.63 | |||||
| 29 | David REYNOLDS | Qld | 2 | 1.35 | 2 | 1.35 | |||||
| 30 | Mick CLARKE | NSW | 1 | 1.24 | 1 | 1.24 | |||||
| 31 | Mike CONNOLLY | QLD | 1 | 1.01 | 1 | 1.01 | |||||
| 32 | Greg PARKES | NSW | 1 | 0.92 | 1 | 0.92 | |||||
| 33 | Ken MURRAY | Qld | 1 | 0.9 | 1 | 0.9 | |||||
| 34 | Kerry SYMES | QLD | 1 | 0.88 | 1 | 0.88 | |||||
| 35 | Dan RYAN | QLD | 1 | 0.77 | 1 | 0.77 | |||||
| 36 | Grant BOYLE | NSW | 1 | 0.73 | 1 | 0.73 | |||||
| 37 | Craig SIMMONS | QLD | 1 | 0.6 | 1 | 0.6 | |||||
| 38 | Jody VERNON | NSW | 1 | 0.53 | 1 | 0.53 | |||||
| 39 | Carl JOCUMSEN | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Michael STARKEY | NSW | |||||||||
| 39 | Toby WILSON | NSW | |||||||||
| 39 | Glyn BARKHUIZEN | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Mike DELISSER | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Matt FRASER | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Garry HARDMAN | NSW | |||||||||
| 39 | Stephen KANOWSKI | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Jami KANOWSKI | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Michael HENARE | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | Raymond KNIGHT | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | Rossking MORRIS | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Trevor SMITH | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | Steve LOWCOCK | NSW | |||||||||
| 39 | Ben PEPPERALL | NSW | |||||||||
| 39 | Peter LEGGETT | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | Ross MURRAY | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | Peter DERKSEN | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | Bill SCHLOSS | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | Justin SCOTT | NSW | |||||||||
| 39 | Scott DAKIN | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Bruce ANDERSON | NSW | |||||||||
| 39 | Freddie SAWYER | Qld | |||||||||
| 39 | John SCHWERIN | QLD | |||||||||
| 39 | Harry WATSON | QLD | |||||||||
| 40 | Vincent BLEAKLEY | NSW | -0.75 | -0.75 | |||||||
| Lowrance Somerset BASS Pro Qualifier Non-Boater Results | |||||||||||
| Place | Angler | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | F3 | W3 | TF | TW | Payout |
| 1 | Andrew DRENNAN | NSW | 2 | 2.68 | 1 | 0.47 | 3 | 3.15 | 44lb Watersnake, $50 Charltons voucher, Prize Pack | ||
| 2 | Ashley SIMS | Qld | 2 | 3.14 | 2 | 3.14 | Lamiglas XMG50 rod, Daiwa Advantage reel, $50 Charltons voucher, Prize Pack | ||||
| 3 | Damien DONNELLY | QLD | 1 | 0.74 | 2 | 2.39 | 3 | 3.13 | Daiwa Advantage rod, Pflueger reel, $50 Charltons voucher, Prize Pack | ||
| 4 | Mark REINBOTT | QLD | 2 | 2.43 | 2 | 2.43 | G.Loomis CR644 rod, Tica reel, $50 Charltons voucher, Prize Pack | ||||
| 5 | Graham DODDS | Qld | 1 | 1.17 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.17 | Spotters Pack, $50 Charltons voucher, Prize Pack | ||
| 6 | Adam BYERS | Qld | 1 | 0.77 | 1 | 1.37 | 2 | 2.14 | TT Pack, $50 Fish n Bits voucher, Prize Pack | ||
| 7 | Peter HANCOCK | NSW | 1 | 1.15 | 1 | 0.97 | 2 | 2.12 | Uglyfish Eyewear Pack, $50 Fish n Bits voucher, Prize Pack | ||
| 8 | Ken BRIDER | QLD | 1 | 1.11 | 1 | 0.88 | 2 | 1.99 | Shimano Catana rod, $50 Fish n Bits voucher, Prize Pack | ||
| 9 | Charles WEST | Qld | 1 | 0.76 | 1 | 1.17 | 2 | 1.93 | $50 Fish n Bits voucher, Prize Pack | ||
| 10 | Gavin STICKLEN | QLD | 2 | 1.79 | 2 | 1.79 | $50 Fish n Bits voucher, Prize Pack | ||||
| 11 | Jake STEWART | NSW | 2 | 1.68 | 2 | 1.68 | |||||
| 12 | Tony ZANTIOTIS | QLD | 2 | 1.59 | 2 | 1.59 | |||||
| 13 | Mark LENNOX | NSW | 2 | 1.56 | 2 | 1.56 | |||||
| 14 | David MUDD | NSW | 1 | 1.22 | 1 | 1.22 | |||||
| 15 | Arthur ALLEN | Qld | 1 | 1.17 | 1 | 1.17 | |||||
| 16 | Paul PIPER | NSW | 1 | 1.17 | 1 | 1.17 | |||||
| 17 | Cory COOPER | Qld | 2 | 1.15 | 2 | 1.15 | |||||
| 18 | Luke NOVAK | NSW | 1 | 1.15 | 1 | 1.15 | |||||
| 19 | Callum MUNRO | Qld | 1 | 0.99 | 1 | 0.99 | |||||
| 20 | Katie SANDERSON | Qld | 1 | 0.76 | 1 | 0.76 | |||||
| 21 | Dylan MOTT | QLD | 1 | 0.74 | 1 | 0.74 | |||||
| 22 | Anthony BULL | Qld | 1 | 0.74 | 1 | 0.74 | |||||
| 23 | Rob HINTON | Qld | 1 | 0.68 | 1 | 0.68 | |||||
| 24 | Jay GILLESPIE | NSW | 1 | 0.48 | 1 | 0.48 | |||||
| 25 | Allan PRICE | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Rory SAINT | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Neil SCOTT | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Joe ALLAN | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Jason LOWE | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Terrence LANGHAM | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Daniel MOLLOY | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Tim STEENHUIS | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Zach KRONK | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Josh CARPENTER | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | David MELROSE | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Ben RICHARDS | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Shane ANDERSON | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | John PICTON | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Nathan ADRIAANS | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Ross PAULGER | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Michael CORBETT | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Alan MCNAMARA | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Corey KERR | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Stephen MCLEAN | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Brooke KENNETT | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Alphonse DEGRAAF | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Jake SCHWERIN | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Justin HAMILTON | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Paul FOOTE | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Simon SAINT | Qld | |||||||||
| 25 | Jay WELCH | NSW | |||||||||
| 25 | Blake POZZEY | QLD | |||||||||
| 25 | Joseph URQUHART | NSW | |||||||||
| 26 | Paul PHILLIPS | Qld | -0.75 | -0.75 | |||||||
