Weather and Money the Story at the Last Classic Qualifier!!

   When the 69 teams arrived at the George St. ramps in Belleville for the August 29/30^th tournament, weather was on everyone’s mind as they put their boats in the water.   With this event being the last qualifying tournament for the Quinte Classic, some teams needed a good finish to make this year end event.   With strong winds, rain and rough conditions, anglers left in two flights at 7:00 and 7:20 a.m. with afternoon check in s at 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.  With the wind changing direction throughout the day, teams had to rethink their strategy and adapt to the conditions but as with all tournaments, a few teams always figure it out.  A number of teams in prefishing had found a good bite out “on the Lake” but with the strong winds and waves, had to change their game plan. One of these teams made the right choices and took the day one lead with a great weight for the conditions of the day.   Belleville’s Dan Elliot and Ed Bunnett with a great weight of  smallmouth’s at 20.05 lbs. were day one leaders followed by Bill Tripp and Frank Mondeville also from Belleville with 18.75 lbs.   Mondeville also caught “big fish” of the day and also the weekend, a great largemouth of 5.90 lbs., which gave this team $1,380.00 in cash as well as Big Fish plaque and a $150.00 gift certificate compliments of the Bass Magnet Lure Company.   Third place after day one went to Toronto’s Jimmy Looi and Yu Zhang with 18.25 lbs. with six other teams in the 16’s.

   Day two saw a much better day with the wind lying down and no rain at blast off.  Teams again left in two flights with check in Sunday at 3:00 and 3:30 p.m.   Third place finishers from day one and in the early weigh in, Looi and Zhang, took the early lead with 33.60 lbs.   This held up through the rest of the first flight weigh in but when the second flight teams started to come to the scales, the lead changed a number of times.

  Tournament officials and anglers were watching with great interest as the second flight teams came to the scales as both of the top two teams from day one had a great chance to make Quinte Fishing Series history.  In 2008 and again this year, the Quinte Fishing Series were chosen by  Stratos Boats to be included in their “Double your Winnings” program.  This program from Stratos boats will allow any team winning a Quinte Fishing Series tournament running a Stratos boat, model year 2007-2010, to double their first place prize money up to $10,000.00!!  “With both Elliot/Bunnett and Tripp/Mondeville in qualifying boats, we were anxious to see if we would have our first winner, stated tournament director Pete Thompson.  

     Tripp and Mondeville did their part by weighing in 16.45 lbs. and took the lead at 35.20 lbs. so it was now left to the day one leaders to try to knock them off the first place podium and knock them off they did!  Weighing in another good bag at 18.35 lbs, these local anglers had a total weight of 38.40 lbs. and claimed the first place prize money and the first “Double Your Money” winners.    Dan and Ed were ecstatic with the win and claimed the first place cheque of $4,200.00 as well as a $50.00 gift certificate from Montana’s/Kelsey’s-Belleville and a product bag courtesy of Mark’s Work Warehouse.  They also had the Big Fish of the day and took home an additional $1,280.00 in cash!   But of course the excitement and prize got even better as they will now take home an additional $4,200.00 from Stratos Boats  courtesy of  Stratos’ “Double Your Winnings” program.   Not a bad weekend’s work or play when you total it up - $9,680.00!!    “We had planned on going to the “big water”, but the weather forecast changed that but I had found a spot closer in prefishing this week and it worked out for us”, said Elliot.   “As for using Ed’s boat (the Stratos), we just wanted to give ourselves a shot at the extra money!”

   Second spot was Tripp and Mondeville with their 35.20 lb. weight and they took home $3,200.00 to add to their Big Fish money.  Roslin’s Mike and Mary Nabulsi claimed the third place spot  earning $2,200.00 for their 33.60 lb. weight and in fourth with 33.45 lbs. were Belleville’s Mat Seeley and Scott Palmer from Toronto taking home $1,200.00.  Jimmy Looi and Yu Zhang hung on for fifth place and received $800.00 and for sixth place, Corbyville’s Mike Lloyd and Jim Watson from Brighton, took home $500.00 for their weight of 32.05lbs.

   Brampton’s Paul Downer and partner Richard Campbell from Courtice took home $340.00 for their weight of 31.25 lbs. for seventh place as well as another $220.00 for being the top team in the 115 H.P. and Under division.   Eighth spot went to locals Brian Hadley and Terry Langstaff who weighed in 30.05 lbs. and Napanee area’s Randy Scero and Al Vivian took ninth place with 29,95 lbs.  These teams took home $220.00 each.

   As this was the last qualifier for the Quinte Classic, after the prizes were handed out the unofficial list was announced for the Classic Qualifiers.  An official list of names will be posted on our website, quintefishing.com by Wednesday, September 2^nd, 2009.    The top 120 anglers, including ties, with the lowest aggregate point totals in at least three or from their best three tournaments will qualify.   The Quinte Classic will be held in Belleville on September 19 and 20^th, 2009 at George St.

   “What a weekend – we had everything,” said Pete Thompson, tournament director.  “The weather, great weights and the excitement at Sunday’s weigh in – our congratulations to all our winners today”.  “Our thanks to Stratos Boats and their Canadian Sales Rep. Jim Lacey for including the Series in their “Double Your Winnings” program and to our local dealer Belleville Sport and Lawn for their support - it’s great to see a winner today.”

  Thompson reminded anglers to check the website for Classic qualifiers and that entry cheques can be sent after Wednesday.  The race for the Quinte Fishing Series “Angler/Team of the Year is again very close in 2009 with only a few points separating the top three teams/individuals.  Entries were up for all tournaments in 2009 and we look forward to a great Classic and to see who will claim the top prizes for the year.
 

8th Terry Langstaff/Brian Hadley

9th Al Vivain/Rick Scero