CASCO, Maine — Paul Mueller really didn’t want to fish for largemouth on Maine’s Sebago Lake. It’s not his strength. He’s much better at targeting smallmouth. But largemouth paid off for Mueller all week, and his 13-1 sack on Day 3 of the B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional tournament was more than enough for him to earn the victory with a three-day total of 34-14.
“I really wanted to get to nationals,” Mueller said, referring to the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. “But winning is icing on the cake.”
Mueller and eight others earned berths in the championship by being the top competitors on their state teams. The nine anglers will journey to Russellville, Ark., to compete on Lake Dardanelle, Oct. 24-26, against their peers from other B.A.S.S. Nation chapters. One angler from each division will earn a qualification in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
“It would be life-changing to go to the Classic,” said Mueller, who is from Southbury, Conn. “I’ve been watching The Bassmasters on TV since I was a little kid. It’s what got me into fishing.”
Mueller was fishing his fifth divisional this week, and it’s his first time qualifying for the championship. He fished his first at the age of 19. He’s now 29. “This has been 10 years in the making,” he said.
Mueller kept finding largemouth — and ones of good size, too — and the smallmouth bite never worked out for him. He caught three smallies over the three days and culled one of them. He was one of only two anglers to get a limit all three competition days. (Randy Phillips of Massachusetts was the other.)
“I only got six or seven bites a day,” said Mueller. “I like tournaments like this. I always do well in grind tournaments.”
The largemouth he found were shallow, he said, because of the full moon. He caught a 5 1/4-pound fish at 8:30 a.m. today in Turtle Cove, when he was just about to leave the area. He stuck around for another hour but didn’t get any more bites. The bass was looking for crawfish right where the rock transitioned to grass.
He left the area and found the rest of his fish near a bridge on the southern end of the lake. These fish were holding in shallow water — 1/2 to 2 feet — in grass, enjoying a plethora of bluegill and perch.
His big fish came on a Punisher SmallJaw Shaky Jig (brown) with a Rein’s Ring Craw trailer (green pumpkin/blue). He caught a big largemouth on Day 1 with the same jig and a Rein’s Fat Rock Vibe Shad. He fished the jig using a Dobyns Champion Extreme DX703SF rod, 10-pound Gamma Torque braid and 8-pound fluorocarbon leader.
A watermelon colored Yamamoto Senko tricked his other fish. He would Texas rig it in grassy areas and wacky rig it in places with less vegetation. He fished the Senko with a Dobyns Champion 704SF, 15-pound Gamma Torque braid and 10-pound fluorocarbon leader.
“It means everything to win this,” said Mueller. “I have to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There’s no way I did this on my own.”
Mueller is looking forward to Dardanelle next month. “I’ve never fished it before, but I will before the cut-off period,” he said. “We should see some big weights there.”
Joining him at Dardanelle are anglers who cut it close in their states, as well as those who ran away with it. Randy Phillips of Massachusetts is one of the anglers who won with a wide margin. He finished with 25 pounds, 11 ounces, nearly 11 pounds of his closest competitor, Ed Robak. Leo Bevelaqua won Rhode Island with a whopping 13-pound margin. And Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain had a nearly 8-pound lead over second-place Alberto Rodriguez Oliver.
Tighter races belonged to Phil Curtis of Ontario, Randy Lamanche of New York, Chris Adams of Vermont, Lawrence Hogue of Maine and Alan Denise of New Hampshire.
In the state competition, Maine held onto the lead it gained on Day 2. The host state finished with 175 pounds, 8 ounces. Just behind was the Connecticut B.A.S.S. Nation with 168-12. In third place was New York with 129-2.
Big Bass honors were awarded to Bevelaqua of Rhode Island, who brought in a 7-pound, 8-ounce monster on Day 3. He dedicated the bass to his son, Dominick, who said to him the night before, “Catch a big one for me, Daddy.”
The other award for the day went to Mueller for catching the biggest bag. Point Sebago Resort gave $300 to the biggest weight each day. Mueller’s bag was 13-1, almost a pound bigger than the next-closest sack, which was Al Gambardella’s 12-3 on Day 1.
Simultaneously, another competition was going on among the Junior Bassmaster anglers. Each state sent two competitors, one ages 11 to 14 and another ages 15 to 18, to compete on Sebago. Noah Winslow of Connecticut won the younger age group, and Brian Volkernick of Maine won the older age division. Winslow and Volkernick will make the trip alongside their adult counterparts to compete in the 2013 Bassmaster Junior World Championship (JWC), a one-day tournament that determines the best young anglers in the B.A.S.S. Nation.
Tune in to Bassmaster.com, Oct. 24-26, for coverage of the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship and JWC.
2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Boat US, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Luck-E-Strike, Power-Pole, Shimano
2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional 9/18-9/20
Sebago Lake, Point Sebago, Maine
(ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Paul Mueller Southbury, CT (CT) 15 34-14 0
2. Lawrence Hogue Kennebunk, ME (ME) 13 26-01 0
3. Randy Phillips Oxford, MA (MA) 15 25-11 0
4. Leo Bevelaqua Wyoming, RI (RI) 12 24-07 0
5. Robert Williamson Gorham, ME (ME) 13 24-02 0
6. Randy Lamanche Marcellus, NY (NY) 12 23-10 0
7. Al Gambardella North Haven, CT (CT) 11 23-01 0
8. Eric Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN (ESP) 10 22-02 0
9. Daryl Biron South Windsor, CT (CT) 10 21-13 0
10. Alan Denise Haverhill, MA (NH) 10 21-07 0
11. Chris O'Brien Rochester, NY (NY) 11 19-07 0
12. Chris Adams Rutland, VT (VT) 10 18-06 0
13. Edwin Bartlett Casco, ME (ME) 9 18-05 0
14. George Cooper Buxton, ME (ME) 10 18-03 0
15. Alexander Wetherell Middletown, CT (CT) 8 17-10 0
16. Chris Simons Cromwell, CT (CT) 10 17-04 0
17. John Wright Concord, NH (NH) 8 17-03 0
18. Skip Sjobeck Randolph, VT (VT) 13 16-04 0
19. Roger LaFlamme East Waterboro, ME (ME) 6 15-09 0
20. Edward Robak Weymouth, MA (MA) 8 14-14 0
21. Alberto Rodriguez Oliver Parets Del Valles SPAIN 6 14-14 0
22. Phil Curtis Rosseau ONTARIO CANADA 7 14-13 0
23. James Knox Rutland, VT (VT) 7 13-04 0
24. Greg Roth Orono ONTARIO CANADA (O 6 13-04 0
25. Mark Desjardin Vassalboro, ME (ME) 9 12-08 0
26. John Diaco Rochester, NH (NH) 11 12-07 0
27. Michael Zachodny Concord, NH (NH) 6 12-06 0
28. Fernando Lay talaurea del reina SPA 7 12-05 0
29. Javier Guillen Cordoba Tarragona SPAIN (ESP) 7 12-03 0
30. Larry MacPhail Kingston Ontario CANADA 7 12-02 0
31. Dave Andrews Hudson, MA (NH) 6 11-15 0
32. Gerard Ling St Catherines Ontario C 7 11-11 0
33. Lewis Mendall Wrentham, MA (RI) 5 11-08 0
34. Dave Rochette Bracebridge CANADA (ONT 6 11-08 0
35. Garrett Kruger Monroe, CT (CT) 6 11-07 0
36. Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA (RI) 8 11-04 0
37. Frank Giner Danbury, CT (NY) 8 11-03 0
38. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA (MA) 6 10-14 0
39. Bill Rider Standish, ME (ME) 5 10-09 0
40. David Morrissette South Hadley, MA (NY) 9 10-09 0
41. Corey Palmer Ogdensburg, NY (NY) 10 10-09 0
42. Joe Holland Jefferson, ME (ME) 7 10-08 0
43. David Riquinha New Bedford, MA (MA) 6 10-06 0
44. Mike Cusano Clay, NY (NY) 7 09-15 0
45. Christopher Killoren Marcellus, NY (NY) 7 09-12 0
46. Noah Winslow Nawgatuck, CT (CT) 5 09-11 0
47. Steve Wilson East Waterboro, ME (ME) 7 09-07 0
48. Joan Arnal 46021 Valencia SPAIN (E 5 09-03 0
49. Steve Pickard Fulton, NY (NY) 7 09-03 0
50. Andrew MacColl CHEPACHET, RI (RI) 5 08-12 0
51. Mark Cavanaugh Port Perry CANADA (ONT) 5 08-12 0
52. George Yund Glenmont, NY (NY) 8 08-06 0
53. Eric Low Hollis Center, ME (ME) 7 08-04 0
54. William Wright Whiting, VT (VT) 6 08-03 0
55. Bill Lindsay Brechin Ontario CANADA 5 08-02 0
56. Chris Molineaux Hope Valley, RI (RI) 6 07-15 0
57. Peter Demoya Plymouth, MA (MA) 4 07-14 0
58. Dan Goulette Milton , VT (VT) 6 07-14 0
59. Brian Volkernick Dixfield, ME (ME) 5 07-12 0
60. Kevin Clark Westport, MA (RI) 4 07-10 0
61. James Morris Milford, CT (CT) 3 07-05 0
62. Emmett Mitchell Southbury, CT (CT) 4 07-03 0
63. Tim Farrell Hanson, MA (MA) 4 07-03 0
64. Ryan Richardson Goffstown, NH (NH) 3 07-00 0
65. Nate Laskiewicz Bomoseey, VT (VT) 4 07-00 0
66. Bidwood McKechnie North Attleboro, MA (MA 6 06-15 0
67. Gabriel Shvartsman Bethel, CT (CT) 6 06-14 0
68. Ray Meyer Alton Bay, NH (NH) 4 06-13 0
69. Lenny Cyr Sanford, ME (ME) 6 06-13 0
70. Martin Piacitelli Gorham , ME (ME) 4 06-06 0
71. Brandon Wells St Johnsbury, VT (VT) 3 06-06 0
72. John Fortier Sanbornton, NH (NH) 3 06-02 0
73. Craig Denham Fenlon Falls ONTARIO CA 3 06-00 0
74. Greg Tesch Middlebury, CT (CT) 6 05-15 0
75. Enrique Bernal Morera Rivasvacia Madrid SPAIN 5 05-13 0
76. Mark Batur Boonville, NY (NY) 4 05-13 0
77. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH (NH) 4 05-10 0
78. Scott McKay Mendon, VT (VT) 5 05-10 0
79. Ray Pasquarelli Warwick, RI (RI) 5 05-07 0
80. Brian Jarvis Warwick , RI (RI) 4 05-06 0
81. Garry Mansholt Brechin Ontario CANADA 4 05-06 0
82. Francisco Navarro Gonzalez LLISSA DE MUNT SPAIN (E 3 05-01 0
83. Paul Garland New Dorham, NH (NH) 3 04-14 0
84. Jay Guidaboni Plymouth, MA (MA) 3 04-14 0
85. Frank McCormick Warwick, RI (RI) 3 04-13 0
86. John Stoughtenger Waterloo, NY (NY) 4 04-08 0
87. James Jeffries Rouses Point, NY (VT) 3 04-06 0
88. Fab Marchese Ancaster Ontario CANADA 2 04-02 0
89. Kevin Miller Merrimack, NH (NH) 2 03-15 0
90. Rose Jeffries Rouses Point, NY (VT) 3 03-12 0
91. Eloy Fernandez Jofre L'Ametlla Del Valles SP 3 03-11 0
92. Robert Jeffrey Prospect, CT (CT) 4 03-10 0
93. Ruben Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN (ESP) 3 03-01 0
94. John Shpack Attleboro, MA (MA) 2 02-15 0
95. Randy Dulude Stouffville ONTARIO CAN 1 02-12 0
96. Timothy N Thompson New Milford, CT (NY) 2 02-10 0
97. Travis Heitzner Orillia Ontario CANADA 1 02-04 0
98. Max McQuiade Tyngsborough, MA (NH) 2 02-02 0
99. Brandon Neal Middletown, CT (CT) 2 02-01 0
100. Christopher Catucci Warwick, RI (RI) 2 02-00 0
101. Travis Franclemont Olean, NY (NY) 1 01-14 0
102. Wyatt Morris Little Falls, NY (NY) 1 01-11 0
103. Patrick Hannon Carver, MA (MA) 1 01-09 0
103. Christian Tapia Watertown , MA (MA) 1 01-09 0
105. Curtis Cronkwright Lakefield Ontario CANAD 1 01-07 0
106. Colin Gaudette Saint Albans, VT (VT) 1 01-04 0
106. Cameron Rhodes Warwick, RI (RI) 1 01-04 0
106. Bruce Veras Foxboro, MA (MA) 1 01-04 0
109. James Picardi Saugus, MA (MA) 1 01-02 0
110. Jack Albert Hampton Falls, NH (NH) 1 01-01 0
110. Thomas Behen Biddeford, ME (ME) 1 01-01 0
112. Tyler Binnie Barrie Ontario CANADA ( 1 01-00 0
112. Philip Casto Woonsocket, RI (RI) 1 01-00 0
112. Maxwell Danese Franklin, MA (MA) 1 01-00 0
112. Gregory McGrath Warwick, RI (RI) 1 01-00 0
116. Don Adams Jr. Rutland, VT (VT) 1 00-11 0
117. Joseph Croteau Blackstone, MA (RI) 0 00-00 0
117. Scott Downie Danbury , CT (CT) 0 00-00 0
117. Stephen Goulette St. Albans, VT (VT) 0 00-00 0
117. Greg Horne Mansfield, RI (RI) 0 00-00 0
117. Eric Paul Manchester, NH (NH) 0 00-00 0
117. Erik Rasmussen Killington, VT (VT) 0 00-00 0
117. Eduardo Zulueta Madrid SPAIN (ESP) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 8 174 282-15
2 17 230 392-08
3 11 225 385-14
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36 629 1061-05
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
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State Lbs-Oz
1 MAINE 175-08
2 CONNECTICUT 168-12
3 NEW YORK 129-02
4 NEW HAMPSHIRE 112-15
5 ONTARIO 103-03
6 MASSACHUSETTS 98-02
7 VERMONT 93-00
8 RHODE ISLAND 92-06
9 SPAIN 88-05
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
CONNECTICUT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Paul Mueller Southbury, CT 15 34-14 0
2 Al Gambardella North Haven, CT 11 23-01 0
3 Daryl Biron South Windsor, CT 10 21-13 0
4 Alexander Wetherell Middletown, CT 8 17-10 0
5 Chris Simons Cromwell, CT 10 17-04 0
6 Garrett Kruger Monroe, CT 6 11-07 0
7 Noah Winslow Nawgatuck, CT 5 09-11 0
8 James Morris Milford, CT 3 07-05 0
9 Emmett Mitchell Southbury, CT 4 07-03 0
10 Gabriel Shvartsman Bethel, CT 6 06-14 0
11 Greg Tesch Middlebury, CT 6 05-15 0
12 Robert Jeffrey Prospect, CT 4 03-10 0
13 Brandon Neal Middletown, CT 2 02-01 0
14 Scott Downie Danbury , CT 0 00-00 0
MASSACHUSETTS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Randy Phillips Oxford, MA 15 25-11 0
2 Edward Robak Weymouth, MA 8 14-14 0
3 Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 6 10-14 0
4 David Riquinha New Bedford, MA 6 10-06 0
5 Peter Demoya Plymouth, MA 4 07-14 0
6 Tim Farrell Hanson, MA 4 07-03 0
7 Bidwood McKechnie North Attleboro, MA 6 06-15 0
8 Jay Guidaboni Plymouth, MA 3 04-14 0
9 John Shpack Attleboro, MA 2 02-15 0
10 Patrick Hannon Carver, MA 1 01-09 0
10 Christian Tapia Watertown , MA 1 01-09 0
12 Bruce Veras Foxboro, MA 1 01-04 0
13 James Picardi Saugus, MA 1 01-02 0
14 Maxwell Danese Franklin, MA 1 01-00 0
MAINE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Lawrence Hogue Kennebunk, ME 13 26-01 0
2 Robert Williamson Gorham, ME 13 24-02 0
3 Edwin Bartlett Casco, ME 9 18-05 0
4 George Cooper Buxton, ME 10 18-03 0
5 Roger LaFlamme East Waterboro, ME 6 15-09 0
6 Mark Desjardin Vassalboro, ME 9 12-08 0
7 Bill Rider Standish, ME 5 10-09 0
8 Joe Holland Jefferson, ME 7 10-08 0
9 Steve Wilson East Waterboro, ME 7 09-07 0
10 Eric Low Hollis Center, ME 7 08-04 0
11 Brian Volkernick Dixfield, ME 5 07-12 0
12 Lenny Cyr Sanford, ME 6 06-13 0
13 Martin Piacitelli Gorham , ME 4 06-06 0
14 Thomas Behen Biddeford, ME 1 01-01 0
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Alan Denise Haverhill, MA 10 21-07 0
2 John Wright Concord, NH 8 17-03 0
3 John Diaco Rochester, NH 11 12-07 0
4 Michael Zachodny Concord, NH 6 12-06 0
5 Dave Andrews Hudson, MA 6 11-15 0
6 Ryan Richardson Goffstown, NH 3 07-00 0
7 Ray Meyer Alton Bay, NH 4 06-13 0
8 John Fortier Sanbornton, NH 3 06-02 0
9 Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 4 05-10 0
10 Paul Garland New Dorham, NH 3 04-14 0
11 Kevin Miller Merrimack, NH 2 03-15 0
12 Max McQuiade Tyngsborough, MA 2 02-02 0
13 Jack Albert Hampton Falls, NH 1 01-01 0
14 Eric Paul Manchester, NH 0 00-00 0
NEW YORK
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Randy Lamanche Marcellus, NY 12 23-10 0
2 Chris O'Brien Rochester, NY 11 19-07 0
3 Frank Giner Danbury, CT 8 11-03 0
4 David Morrissette South Hadley, MA 9 10-09 0
5 Corey Palmer Ogdensburg, NY 10 10-09 0
6 Mike Cusano Clay, NY 7 09-15 0
7 Christopher Killoren Marcellus, NY 7 09-12 0
8 Steve Pickard Fulton, NY 7 09-03 0
9 George Yund Glenmont, NY 8 08-06 0
10 Mark Batur Boonville, NY 4 05-13 0
11 John Stoughtenger Waterloo, NY 4 04-08 0
12 Timothy N Thompson New Milford, CT 2 02-10 0
13 Travis Franclemont Olean, NY 1 01-14 0
14 Wyatt Morris Little Falls, NY 1 01-11 0
RHODE ISLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Leo Bevelaqua Wyoming, RI 12 24-07 0
2 Lewis Mendall Wrentham, MA 5 11-08 0
3 Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA 8 11-04 0
4 Andrew MacColl CHEPACHET, RI 5 08-12 0
5 Chris Molineaux Hope Valley, RI 6 07-15 0
6 Kevin Clark Westport, MA 4 07-10 0
7 Ray Pasquarelli Warwick, RI 5 05-07 0
8 Brian Jarvis Warwick , RI 4 05-06 0
9 Frank McCormick Warwick, RI 3 04-13 0
10 Christopher Catucci Warwick, RI 2 02-00 0
11 Cameron Rhodes Warwick, RI 1 01-04 0
12 Philip Casto Woonsocket, RI 1 01-00 0
12 Gregory McGrath Warwick, RI 1 01-00 0
14 Joseph Croteau Blackstone, MA 0 00-00 0
14 Greg Horne Mansfield, RI 0 00-00 0
VERMONT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Chris Adams Rutland, VT 10 18-06 0
2 Skip Sjobeck Randolph, VT 13 16-04 0
3 James Knox Rutland, VT 7 13-04 0
4 William Wright Whiting, VT 6 08-03 0
5 Dan Goulette Milton , VT 6 07-14 0
6 Nate Laskiewicz Bomoseey, VT 4 07-00 0
7 Brandon Wells St Johnsbury, VT 3 06-06 0
8 Scott McKay Mendon, VT 5 05-10 0
9 James Jeffries Rouses Point, NY 3 04-06 0
10 Rose Jeffries Rouses Point, NY 3 03-12 0
11 Colin Gaudette Saint Albans, VT 1 01-04 0
12 Don Adams Jr. Rutland, VT 1 00-11 0
13 Stephen Goulette St. Albans, VT 0 00-00 0
13 Erik Rasmussen Killington, VT 0 00-00 0
ONTARIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Phil Curtis Rosseau ONTARIO CANADA 7 14-13 0
2 Greg Roth Orono ONTARIO CANADA 6 13-04 0
3 Larry MacPhail Kingston Ontario CANADA 7 12-02 0
4 Gerard Ling St Catherines Ontario C 7 11-11 0
5 Dave Rochette Bracebridge CANADA 6 11-08 0
6 Mark Cavanaugh Port Perry CANADA 5 08-12 0
7 Bill Lindsay Brechin Ontario CANADA 5 08-02 0
8 Craig Denham Fenlon Falls ONTARIO CA 3 06-00 0
9 Garry Mansholt Brechin Ontario CANADA 4 05-06 0
10 Fab Marchese Ancaster Ontario CANADA 2 04-02 0
11 Randy Dulude Stouffville ONTARIO CAN 1 02-12 0
12 Travis Heitzner Orillia Ontario CANADA 1 02-04 0
13 Curtis Cronkwright Lakefield Ontario CANAD 1 01-07 0
14 Tyler Binnie Barrie Ontario CANADA 1 01-00 0
SPAIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Eric Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN 10 22-02 0
2 Alberto Rodriguez Oliver Parets Del Valles SPAIN 6 14-14 0
3 Fernando Lay talaurea del reina SPA 7 12-05 0
4 Javier Guillen Cordoba Tarragona SPAIN 7 12-03 0
5 Joan Arnal 46021 Valencia SPAIN 5 09-03 0
6 Enrique Bernal Morera Rivasvacia Madrid SPAIN 5 05-13 0
7 Francisco Navarro Gonzalez LLISSA DE MUNT SPAIN 3 05-01 0
8 Eloy Fernandez Jofre L'Ametlla Del Valles SP 3 03-11 0
9 Ruben Corbella Salvia Mollerusa SPAIN 3 03-01 0
10 Eduardo Zulueta Madrid SPAIN 0 00-00 0