Quinte Classic Champs and “Teams of the Year” crowned on weekend!

Team of the Year and 2nd Place Mike&Mary Nabulsi

  The fourteenth season of the Quinte Fishing Series came to a close with the Quinte Classic on September 19 & 20^th at the George St. ramps in Belleville.  Forty eight teams, who had qualified from their best three tournaments over the summer, left Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. under calm winds and waters.   These weather conditions allowed a number of teams to make long runs to “big water” and most made that decision pay off over the weekend.

  Day one had all teams checking in by 4:00 p.m. and although the leader board changed a number of times, Oshawa’s Jay Martin and Brad Arnott claimed the day one lead with a great bag of smallies at 20.90 lbs.  Last tournaments big money winners, Danny Elliot and Ed Bunnett, also had a good day just .10 lbs. behind at 20.80 lbs.!    The husband and wife team of Mike and Mary Nabulsi stood in third with 19.60 lbs. which gave them an early edge in the “Team of the Year” race as the leader in this race, Mat Seeley, had boat trouble and after changing boats could only weigh in 7.55 lbs.

   Day two – weather, specifically, FOG!  Officials and anglers were greeted at daybreak with a wall of heavy fog and although at George St it looked clear by 7:00 a.m., to the east and west it was socked in.  Tournament officials checked conditions every half hour after that but, especially to the east, conditions did not improve until after 8:30 a.m.    With another check at 8:45 a.m., tournament officials, Pete Thompson and Rick Somerville, made the decision to go and because of the two hour delay decided to extend the day from the scheduled 3:00 p.m. check in to 4:00 o’clock.

   During the day from 12:00 noon till 2:00 p.m., the final cast off in the Blair Smith Memorial “Fishing with Kids” took place with 15 young anglers taking part.  First, second and third place prizes were handed out in three age categories with many of these young kids stepping off the stage with big grins on their face and all with fishing products in their hands.  Our thanks to the Smith family for these events in memory of one of “our own” Blair and to sponsors/business’ that assisted with prizes.

   Even with the shortened day, a few teams still made the run to the lake and most were rewarded for their efforts.   Weighing in first was the Nabulsi’s and with another good bag of smallmouths of 19.55 lbs., they took the early lead with a total weight of 39.15 lbs.   The other top teams from day one all took a shot at overtaking the leaders but Mike and Mary’s weight could only be beaten by one team – the day one leaders.  With another good bag day two of 19.95lbs, Jay Martin and Brad Arnott claimed the title of Quinte Classic Champions with a total two day weight of 40.85 lbs.  These Oshawa anglers took home $3,800.00, a $50.00 gift certificate from Kelsey’s/Montana’s, Belleville and product bags from Mark’s Work Warehouse.   On stage Jay said, “I have to really thank Brad today as I couldn’t prefish this week and he came down and found the spots we used this weekend.  We fished three or four spots all weekend and we were lucky and got the quality fish we needed”.

   The Nabulsi’s, from Roslin, claimed $2,800.00 for the second place spot and got most of their fish on a new, soft plastic bait they manufactured from their company, Bass Magnet Lures.   In third with a total weight of 34.05 lbs. were Colin Hunter from Holland Landing and Mississauga’s Alvin Tung with another smallie bag and they received $1,800.00.    The Asselstine’s, Ben and Darcy from the Napanee area, took the $1,000.00 fourth place cheque for a largemouth weight of 33.80 lbs.

   Fifth place went to Courtice’s Richard Campbell and partner Paul Downer from Brampton with 33.55 lbs. and they took home $600.00 as well as another $220.00 for the top team for the tournament in the 115 H.P. and Under division.  The final payout went to Napanee’s Randy Cronkwright and partner Phil DeFosse who had 33.50 lbs. and they received $400.00.  Randy and Phil also caught the “Big Fish” of day two, a 5.45 lb. smallmouth, that netted him another $960.00!

   The “Big Fish” of the weekend went to Napanee’s Tom Davies and Dusty Craven who weighed in another smallmouth at 5.90 lbs. on Saturday and this gave them $960.00 cash , big fish trophy and a $150.00 gift certificate compliments of the Bass Magnet Lure Company, our Big Fish Sponsor.

  Going into the Classic, the “Angler/Team of the Year race was very close with Matt Seeley holding a slim 1 point lead, 10 points to 11, over Mike and Mary Nabulsi.  With Mat having motor trouble on Saturday, it opened the door wide open for the Nabulsi’s and they drove their Triton right through it and took the “Team of the Year” title with the points ending up 13 to 23 in their favour.   For their efforts over the year, Mike and Mary took home a 15’ Polarkraft aluminum boat, 15 H.P. Mercury four stroke motor and Northtrail trailer.   Mike on stage stated, “We’ve had a great year and we want to thank Pete, Rick, Margo and staff for running a great Series.  The comradery, competiveness but also the fun we have here is great and you don’t see it in some other circuits”.  Mat gave it a good go on Sunday weighing in the biggest bag of the weekend, 22.40 lbs. showing his true competiveness and it was enough to give him second spot overall for the year and free entries for the 2010 season.   Mat thanked his good friend and partner, Scott Palmer, for his support and his sponsors, especially Canadian Tire, a sponsor of the Series also.

    The top team in the 115 H.P. and Under Division went to Belleville’s Ryan Somerville and Larry Courtice who ended up with 108 points.  These anglers will also receive free entries for the 2010 season and they also took home $500.00 in cash.    Second in this category were Tweed’s, Ron Ellery and John O’Brien from Brighton.

    A new and special award was handed out this year in memory of a former Series angler, Blair Smith.  This award went to the top angler for the year, between the ages of 26 and 39, the years that Blair fished the Quinte Fishing Series.   On the Smith family’s behalf, tournament director Pete Thompson was happy to present the award to Mat Seeley.

    The final award, the Frazee Award, given to a team who shows true sportsmanship, dedication to the Series, a love of fishing and a cheerful and helpful manner went to Glen Thompson and Joan Whalen.

    A number of draw prizes donated by local businesses and fishing manufacturers were drawn and thanks was given to: Marshman Jewellers/T.A.D. Group-Robert Coolahan Belleville, Humminbird, Minn Kota and Merland Park Resort, Picton.   

   In his closing remarks, Pete Thompson thanked the staff, especially his weigh master Rick Somerville, who works hard to run first class events and also the great anglers who support this growing series.  “Our sponsors are tremendous and we have been very fortunate over the years.  With the economy the way it is at this present time, I thank them for their continued support”.    

   Committee members will be meeting next week to review the 2009 season and dates for 2010 will be decided by the end of October with entries for the 2010 season being accepted after November 15^th, 2009.

    With our thanks to our valued sponsors:  Canadian Tire, Belleville, Belleville Sport and Lawn,  Benton Fry Ford Lincoln Sales, Reid’s Plumbing & Heating, The Boathouse Seafood Restaurant, Rawdon Refrigeration, Art’s Signs, Merland Park Resort, Line X –Kingston, Mill Valley Natural Spring Water, The Belleville Fish and Game Club, McInroy-Maines Construction Ltd., Quinte Outdoor Sports, Mark’s Work Warehouse-Belleville, Skevy’s Outdoor Specialties, Montana’s/Kelsey’s-Belleville, Mercury Marine, Rose’s Scale Ltd., Shimano, Redwing Tackle-Ajax, SWE Autoglass, Polarkraft boats, Bass Magnet Lure Company, www.quintefishing.com, Northtrail trailers, Humminbird, Minn Kota,  and Bay Marine.