Just the thought of having the opportunity to spend at least three days on his favorite body of water, Lake Champlain, was enough enticement for Roberts to send in his $325 Entry Fee with application as a Co-Angler and travel with Ranger Pro Angler Jim Gildea to Plattsburgh, New York. “Most of my time previously fishing Lake Champlain has been in the Southern section near Fork Ticonderoga, where predominate populations of largemouth bass make thick milfoil beds their habitat of choice,” chuckled Roberts. Adding with a bass eating grin, “Although, I have ventured slightly north of the Crown Point Bridge in search of Champlain’s famed ‘Bronze Backs!” 

For Dave Roberts just the mere opportunity to possibility discover bass haunts within Champlain’s Northern section, as well as developing new friendships with at least three of the FLW Outdoors STREN Series Pro Anglers, was more than enough to fill his bass appetite. Then factor in a guaranteed three days of competition, a payout of $275,225 (Based on a full field of 200 boats.), payouts down to 60th place and the involvement of carrying a five-bass limit to the scales, side-by-side with an FLW Professional Bass Angler. While being filmed on the FLW Stage for one of the worlds most premier tournament bass trails. And, let’s not forget the uniquely low percentage chance that Roberts just might make the Final Day-4 Top-10 cut, catapulting him into a fourth day of competition with larger payouts!

Tuesday evening found Dave Roberts in the Co-Angler registration line for the official check-in, briefing and FLW STREN Series pairings. One-by-one an FLW STREN Series Professional Anglers name was called and then his Co-Angler partners name was announced. The two then went outside the room briefly discussing their morning rendezvous meeting and the Pro’s game plan for their first day of competition.
Day #1: Massachusetts Dave Roberts and Canadian Bass Pro David Drury, idled in Cumberland Bay until their assigned Boat# 88 was given the official approval for take-off. “David had decided to pursue largemouth bass in the Malletts Bay area on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain. His theory was the largemouths would be concentrate within milfoil beds, whereas the majority of smallmouths were more apt to roam around chasing baitfish forage in open water,” says Roberts.  Mallets Bay is know for holding large populations of largemouth bass, but few would be enticed by Roberts and Drury come weigh-in time. “Spending the day with David Drury was very pleasurable, as he was indeed a real gentleman.” Drury tossed spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits all day long over submerged milfoil beds in seven-eight feet of water, while Roberts worked drop-shot rigs baited with either a four inch Senko or a 5X worm along the outer edges in 14 feet of water. Each angler managed only three-bass apiece. When the Day #1 scales were officially closed Pro Angler Drury’s three-bass for 5.4 lbs landed him in 128th place, while Roberts claimed 89th place on the Co-Anglers side with an even five pounds. According to Dave Roberts the weather patterns were beginning to change and the afternoon wind increased it’s velocity.

Day #2: Paired with Skydiving Champion and Professional Bass Angler Joe Trinko of Southern Pines, NC, Dave Roberts listened as Trinko elaborated on his Day #1 misfortune. “Joe encountered outboard prop trouble, and was unable to run to his schools of smallmouth bass roaming Lake Champlain’s major reef areas. When Joe mentioned main lake reefs like ‘The Four Brothers’, and told me about the four-six pound smallies he had in practice I knew I was in for an awesome day on the water,” recalled Roberts. Heading towards Burlington, Vermont Trinko and Roberts reached their destination. “Within three hours together we landed between 35-40 smallmouth keepers! Our best bite came around mid-day when a school of larger smallmouth moved up on a point to feed,” revealed Roberts. Concentrating on water depth ranging from 10-20 feet and at times down to 25 feet the Day #2 team swam rattletrap lipless crankbaits ripping them out of milfoil and eel grass patches, and then turned to slower drop-shot presentations. Roberts who is known for his finesse ability utilized a ¼ oz drop-shot weight on eight pound test line, tied on a drop-shot hook impelling a green pumpkin or perch color four inch worm. “Most of the bass ate our baits on the drop or when we ripped them out of the weeds,” claims Roberts.  With their livewells each loaded with a five-bass limit Trinko and Roberts headed back to Plattsburgh for their 3:00 pm check-in time. Dave Roberts was all smiles when FLW Emcee Ron Laplin called out 15.01 lbs as his official weight for the day. Joe Trinko managed nine pounds for his five-bass total settling into 144th place, but Roberts made the largest jump of the day on the Co-Angler side moving into 38th place.

Day #3: As the tournament progressed so did the inclement weather! Morning thunderstorms and lightning bolts could be seen in the distance, while scattered rain showers were reported throughout the area. “I was really excited when I drew Skeeter Pro Angler Chris Novack. Chris runs the CT-Outdoors Bass Tournament Trail (www.Ct-Outdoors.com) of which I had competed in several of his events.” Novack was targeting largemouth bass in the same areas as the tournament leaders, but he felt his bites were getting smaller and fewer due to the angling pressure. “Since Chris and I knew one another, he had confidence in my angling knowledge, and ask for my opinion,” says Roberts. “Dave and I opened my map and shared areas south of Plattsburgh. As friends we decided to work together as a team to secure a five-bass limit large enough so that we both might collect checks,” replied Novack.  Heading south Noack and Roberts pulled on Roberts suggested smallmouth point. “Within 30 minutes we both had our limits and Chris landed a four pound smallie on his first cast,” smiled Roberts. While Roberts and Novack may have found smallmouth bass hitting their baits with thundering force, they also had to contend with severe thunderstorms. “We had to keep seeking shelter, leaving our fish at least three different times, waiting for the storms to blow through,” recalls Roberts.

Each progressing storm grew more-and-more severe, Novack and Roberts jumped on their first opportunity to head back north. “The rain was coming down so hard I could not see Chris, I can honestly say that my life was in his hands! Chris maneuvered through the waves with precision accuracy; his boat handling skills were simply unparallel! I doubt few anglers could have made that long run as smoothly and safely as Chris Novack,” states Roberts.  With a 15.03 lb five-bass limit of smallmouth bass Skeeter Pro Angler Chris Novack claimed 16th Place, while Dave Roberts 17.05 lbs of Champlain smallmouth and a 6th place standing kept his Co-Angler tournament ride rolling into Day #4.
Day #4: “My ‘Stars’ were all lined up in perfect order,” says Roberts. Adding, “I was paired with Bassmaster Classic Champion and the most excitable Professional Angler in the World……...Mike ‘Ike’ Iaconelli!” While, ‘Ike’ kept Roberts informed of the surrounding cover and structure within the Missisquoi River. Roberts tossed a homemade jig into the down timber and milfoil pockets. “Mike cranked shallow crankbaits, ripping them out of the weeds to secure his five-bass limit, but I could only manage four keepers.”
Pulling into the Wilcox launch area with only minutes left Roberts makes his final casts. “Mike really wanted to help me get that fifth bass, so he pulled up to a matted weed bed, and I made several quick cast with a frog across the top! Then out of thick sloop busted my fifth bass and largest bass of the day.” Laughed Roberts.
Iaconelli weighted 13.11 lbs cashing a 6th Place check for $4,849, while ‘Roberts Ride’ ended with a 13.15 lb limit, giving the High School Biology Teacher a 5th Place Finish worth $1,696.

God Bless and Best Bass’n


Bill Decoteau is an outdoor journalist with a strong passion for pursuing the Black Bass. His activities include covering and photographing professional bass trails, the New England Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Trail, as well as emceeing benefit tournaments such as Maine’s Special Olympics. Bill may also be found on the water filming his television show The Bass Bureau…………Where the Road meets the Water or in the classroom holding bass seminars, sharing winning techniques utilized by some of the nationals’ top-bass pro’s at many of the regional sportsmen shows.

 

All NEPVA Bass Trail Tournaments are totally FREE to ALL participates and open to all individuals with disabilities whether veterans or non-veterans! Individuals interested in fishing the tournaments may contact Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine @ 1.781.935.2480. As a non-profit organization the tournament trail is funded only by generous donations from its sponsors, with all sponsor donations being tax deductible. For information on becoming an NEPVA sponsor, contact the NEPVA office @ 1.800.660.1181 or visit their web site www.nepva.org.