The 2013 season wrapped up with our annual awards ceremony.  We capped the night off by celebrating our accomplishments for 2013 and handing out a ton of awards and some moolah to go along with it.

Check out the pictures from the award ceremony on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AlbanyBassmasters

Well, another year has come to pass…where did the time go?  Leaves are falling but hopefully there is still some fishing to be done for some of us.

I’d like to begin by thanking Brady for presiding over our club this year, keeping the meetings organized and tending to all the club’s business.  Job well done.

Thanks also to everyone on the Tournament Committee.  Whenever a decision needs to be made, whenever there is a change in the game plan, I can count on you guys to come together so that there is minimal impact and we get things done in a timely manner.

I want to thank you all for your participation this year.  It was a tougher schedule due to the back-to-back 2 day events in June and July.  It is a huge commitment to fish all the events, one that I hope we can improve on next year.  Please come to our next meeting prepared to discuss your opinion, likes and dislikes about this year’s schedule as well as ideas for next year’s schedule.  Bring lots of $1 bills if your opinion will involve expletives (That means swearing Charlie)!  Your tournament committee can start off on the right foot and make next season better if they have this information when they meet in December.

So here is what you all have been waiting for.  I have attached to this email the official results from our last Saratoga tournament and the 2013 Final BassMan standings.

As the bags started coming in at Saratoga, it was clear that 1 fish could make it or break it for anyone.  The weights were that close.  With 22 anglers in the field, 20 limits were caught with a total of 103 fish and a total weight of exactly 200.00 lbs.!  Less than 1 pound separated first place from eleventh place making it literally anybody’s tournament to win!  When all the bags were weighed in, Al Maher came out on top with 11.03 lbs. which included a 2.87 lb. largemouth.  Second place went to Paul Pflieger, and I came in third.  Congratulations Al on your win!

Now for the BassMan of the Year title.  Going in to this event Jim Underhill held a 24 point lead over second place, Al Maher, and a 34 point lead over third place, Brady Moy.  Al Maher earned 100 points for his win on Saratoga and Jim Underhill came in 15th, earning him 72 points.  When the final tally of points was calculated, checked and double-checked the 28 point differential from Saratoga allowed Al to overtake Jim by a margin of 4 points.  In usual Albany Area BassMaster fashion, this season came down to the last event.

Al Maher is our 2013 BassMan of the Year, congratulations!  

He was able to repeat his success from the last 2 years, earning him the title 3 years in a row.  Al put together a great season which included second place finishes at Oneida and Ticonderoga and his final win on Saratoga.

Jim Underhill fished amazingly well this year.  Going into our Saratoga tournament, Jim had not finished lower than 6th place which is an incredible accomplishment!  Congratulations Jim!

Gene Lavigne finished in third place for the year thanks to a win and a third place finish at our Ticonderoga tournaments.  Great job Gene!

Thanks again to everyone, I hope you enjoyed all of your time on the water this year.  Always keep in mind that we are truly blessed to be able to do what we do.

See you all on Friday, November 1st.

Frank

2013 Bassman Standings