Quinte Classic Results

Largest "Big Fish" ever recorded highlights Quinte Fishing Series 2004 Quinte Classic

The final tournament of the 2004 Quinte Fishing Series, the Quinte Classic, got underway at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18th from the George St. ramps in Belleville. Thirty one teams fished this final two day event for a limit of five large or smallmouth bass each day for a total weight over the two day Classic.

Day one saw some cloud and sun with moderate to high winds which changed the game plan for a number of teams as the high, out of the north-north east winds, made it difficult to fish certain patterns and places. The first team to the scales, Belleville’s Rob Mitchell and Rob Coolahan from Tweed, enjoyed a phenomenal day and weighed in a great weight of 20.15 lbs. In this bag was an amazing largemouth of 7.28 lbs.!! Tournament Director, Pete Thompson stated," I have been involved in Tournaments for over 15 years and this is the largest single bass I have ever seen weighed in. It is truly amazing to see in a short time how far this fishery has come and the quality fish that are now in the Bay." Weighing in a close second were Napanee’s Trevor Davies and Randy Scero with 19.14 lbs. and rounding out the top three after day one were Grant Elliott and Karl Neumayer, also from Napanee, with 17.99 lbs.

Cool early morning temperatures and lighter winds greeted the anglers day two as they headed out into the Bay with check in time at 3:00 p.m. With the top seven teams less than three pounds apart, a number of changes took place atop the leader board throughout the day. Weighing in 18.59 lbs. on day two, Grant Elliott and Karl Neumayer moved from third place on day one to claim the Quinte Classic crown with a total weight of 36.58 lbs. These anglers took home $2,300.00 for the win as well as two coats compliments of Mark’s Work Warehouse and a $50.00 gift certificate from Kelsey’s/ Montana’s. With a weight of 20.25 lbs., Belleville’s Chris Sherman and Dave Henderson came from 12th place to take second place overall with a total weight of 36.38 and these anglers received $1,500.00. Trevor Davies and Randy Scero moved down one position to take third place with 35.17 lbs. and the $900.00 and in the fourth position with 34.86 lbs. were Belleville’s Matt Seeley and Steve Coady and they took home $600.00 for the weekend.

Last years "Angler of the Year", Dean Thompson and partner Mike Burriss took the fifth place spot with 34.52 lbs. and in sixth place with 34.47 were the husband and wife team of Mike and Mary Nabulsi. These anglers received $400.00 and $220.00 respectively for their catches over the two days.

Rob Mitchell’s and Rob Coolahan’s giant largemouth of day one gave them the big fish of the weekend and the H2Optix by Bolle’ Big Fish award of $600.00 cash, two pairs of quality H2Optix sunglasses and trophy. On stage at the presentations, Rob Mitchell, who caught the fish, said I just kept saying to my partner, "big fish, big fish, big fish" until it was safe in the boat and then we just had to stop and calm down for five minutes!! Day two "big fish" went to Chris Sherman and Dave Henderson with 4.79 lbs. and they also received $600.00 cash for their efforts.

The "Team of the Year" race going into the Classic was still up for grabs with three teams fighting it out for the title. Leading the race going into the weekend were last years winners Dean Thompson and Mike Burriss with 13 points, the Asselstine’s, Andy and Darcy with 14 and at 18 were Grant Elliott and Karl Neumayer. Elliott and Neumayer made it even closer with their win but by finishing in 5th place overall for the tournament, Dean and Mike held on to win this hard fought race by a mere one (1) point - 18 to 19!! For their efforts, tournament officials Pete Thompson and Rick Somerville presented them with their Team of the Year prize of a 15' Princecraft Yukon boat, 15 hp Mercury outboard motor and trailer. The Q.F.S. is also affiliated with the Canadian Fishing Tour and as an additional prize these two anglers qualify for the C.F.T.’s 2005 Classic and a first prize package of over $35,000.00. On stage, Dean and Mike thanked the Series for another great season and also their fellow anglers for their sportsmanship and comradery. The runner-ups, Elliott and Neumayer gave it a great go and came up a little short but were presented with certificates for free entries for the 2005 season by Thompson for their runner-up finish.

A number of other prizes and awards were handed out including the 7th Annual Frazee award for sportsmanship and enthusiasm and this years winners were Glenn Meek and Mike Santoro from Newcastle. Tournament Director, Pete Thompson thanked the loyal sponsors who help keep this circuit going, many who have been with the Series for all eight years and also the staff who help run these first class events. Dates for the 2005 tournament season will be available in the coming weeks and we look forward to another successful year.

Quinte Fishing Series would like to thank all their valued sponsors: Princecraft, Mercury Marine, Belleville Sport and Lawn, Quinte Outdoor Sports, Shoppers Market, Belleville Fish and Game Club, Kelsey’s/Montana’s-Belleville, Canadian Tire-Belleville, Art’s Signs, H2Optix, Shimano, Royal Property Management, Mark’s Work Warehouse, Rose’s Scale(Belleville)Ltd., Bob Clute Pontiac-Buick, Bay Marine, Bass Magnet Lures, Berkley-Abbu Garcia, quintefishing.com, basscanada.com and also Quinte Alternator for draw prizes.