Day 1
Place: Newton Lake, Collingswood, NJ
Time: 7:00am-3:00pm
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Weather: Humid 68 Degree morning start rising to 70; Cold-Front, strong winds along with Rain began around 9:30am
Water Temps: 66 Degrees at start and warming to 67 Degrees; 20+MPH winds mid-day towards end.
Water Clarity: Less than 2.0'
Water current and Level: Seemed down somewhat South of White Horse Pike;
Best Lure: Kreature baits; Mid Diving crankbaits;
Depths fished: 2.0'~ 4.0'
Bass Limit: 3
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Alright here we go! What a heck of a season we had in 2009!
With the 1st inaugural 2009 SJHT Bass Classic Belt up for grabs (which was not known to them till Day 2) and the $$$ Pot, Anglers were vying for the coveted Belt to hang on there mantle.
SJHT had several anglers qualify for this years end of the season bass classic. On Saturday and Sunday, 17 seasoned SJHT anglers brought there A-Games and there battle faces to do battle on the Newt. Without dissappointment, all anglers caught a keeper bass besides yours truly! LOL!
Here is Day 1 Newton Tale of the Tape:
Here are Day 1 Pics and weigh-in:
Jimbos catch:
Justin's catch:
Day 1 Leader Jiggen Den:
GoneFishin catch:
Tboe's catch:
Laynes Catch:
Bass Hoppers catch:
Bill L. catch:
Big Al:
Tim's catch:
Rob's catch:
Jay's catch:
Trapper with Day 1 Lunker 2.94lbs:
So going into Day 2 and everybody within say 2-3lbs of the Leader Jiggen Den, everybody went home and got little sleep......
---------------------------------------------------------------- Day 2 Finale and Poker faces at the weigh-in!!!!
Place: Salem Canal, Salem County, NJ
Time: 7:00am-3:00pm
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Weather: Cool 48 Degree morning start rising to 60; Thick fog along with clearing, blue bird skys later in day
Water Temps: 64 Degrees at start and warming to 67 Degrees;
Water Clarity: Less than 1.0'
Water current and Level: 2.5' down somewhat;
Best Lure: Jigs; crankbaits; DS
Depths fished: 2.0'~ 4.5'
Bass Limit: 3
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Let me preference the below report by stating that when there's money on the line and the Championship belt, One must ask the RIGHT questions to those you pass on the water (i.e. Jiggen Den, Bass Hopper, and Tboe) and you ask...How there day has been going and do you have any keepers with size\weights? The reply of, "Damn...I've caught alot of shorts today", and "Oh...the Bass are definitely here", and this one takes the cake, "Wow....such and such has No Keepers at All"!!! Totally classic in your face BS bluffs!!!
but before the final tally....here are pics of Day 2 and the weigh in:
Tina..our 2009 Womens Classic Champion:
Bass Hoppers catch:
Jiggen Dens catch:
John "GoneFishin's" Catch:
Big Al's Catch:
Tboe's catch:
Trappers catch:
Day 2 Final Result's:
The Canal proved to be a dream buster for many of the SJHT anglers. The word on the street was that Jiggen Den did not have any keepers, and that Bass Hopper had a few small ones in the livewell. Well... after seeing angler after angler weigh in there final days catch, Tboe began his singing of "Back to Back Classic Championship" song and doing a 2-step dance. Next thing you know, Brian "Bass Hopper" S. comes to the scales with what turns out to be the Day 2 Lunker winner going 3.36lbs and new total weight of 6.89lbs over taking Tboe who had a Total weight of 6.74lbs. While Jiggen Den was quitely loading his boat and putting his gear away....the call of any more fish was broadcast amongst the masses. With Money in hand and ready to present this years New classic Winner....Jiggen Den (which might I add wore his very nice STRATOS shirt for the finale) came running and smiling with his weigh-in bag. Dennis proceeds to pull out 2 bass going 4.04lbs....thus securing and winning this years 2009 SJHT Classic Championship and NICE Purse which goes along with it!!! What a hell of a weigh in!!! Everybody could not believe what had just transpired!!! Imagine being Bass Hopper who along with everybody else thought the deal was sealed!!! Unfricking believable!!! Talking about suspense, tough fishing, the commaradie, and lets not forget the gamemanship being played on and off the water. If there was ever a Hot seat when it comes to selecting a 2009 Classic Championship, then this was the event!!! One had to have been there!!
2009 Classic Participants:
Thanks for a wonderful 2009 Bass Fishing season. Although the bites got somewhat tough Mid-year towards the end, no one can ever say that your determination wavered one bit. Hope to see many of you guys\gals in 2010 and welcome potential new rookies to the family.
End of the 2009 Season Awards:
Justin and Dad with certificates:
Bass Hopper 2009 AOY & IronMan:
Tina "Pink Hooker" G. 2009 Womens Classic Champ:
2009 Classic Belt Presentation and $$$ purse:
Congrats once again to Brian "Bass Hopper" Suthard on this years 2009 AOY & Ironman (20 Tournaments) award and Dennis "Jiggen Den" T. on his 2009 Classic win!
Okay... I believe I've covered everything. Time to take a little break and fish with my North Jersey Brothers!!!! LOL!!
Stay safe and hope to see all during the off-season and back next year!!
