PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 22, 2008) - Boater Jamie Hartman of Poland, N.Y., won the Bass Fishing League Empire Division Super Bass Fishing Tournament on Lake Champlain with a one-day catch of five bass weighing 20 pounds, 3 ounces. The victory earned Hartman $3,683 plus a $650 Ranger bonus. The first day of Super Tournament competition was cancelled due to inclement weather. The full field of anglers fished the second day. Hartman said he caught his limit of fish by flipping wood and weeds with a black and blue jig.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Brian Gates of Mendon, Vt. (five bass, 18-11, $2,167); Nathan Knapp of Brooktondale, N.Y. (five bass, 18-07, $1,444); Bud Schosger of Painted Post, N.Y. (five bass, 18-03, $1,011) and Henry Stone of Massena, N.Y. (five bass, 17-01, $867).
Gates took home the Boater Division Snickers Big Bass award, earning $495 for a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass that he caught flipping a jig.
Jake Schnell of Chicago, Ill., earned $2,167 as the co-angler winner thanks to five bass weighing 15 pounds, 11 ounces that he caught while fishing a Carolina-rigged crawfish in 20 feet of water.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Jamie Merchant of Colchester, Vt. (five bass, 14-10, $1,083); Tim Trescott of Wellsboro, Penn. (five bass, 13-14, $724); Dan Bassett of Baldwinsville, N.Y. (five bass, 13-13, $506) and Robert Secrist of Caneadea, N.Y. (five bass, 13-09, $433).
James Mignanelli of Zelienople, Penn., earned $247 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 1-ounce bass that he caught drop-shotting a worm in 25 feet of water.