John Completes AOY Sweep With Win at Pickerel-Infested Long Pond

John completed his AOY sweep with another win, this time at pickerel-infested Long Pond. His fifth win in a row of 2024 is the closest to perfection any member has come. His streak included 5 first-place finishes and 4 limits. The only event in which he came up short was South Watuppa, where he weighed 2 fish. Of a possible 2550 points, he tallied 2544. That is the highest point total for a season without a 2-day tournament and/or a drop. The overall highest total still belongs to Fred Naymie, though his total was accomplished during a season in which a 2-day event made the possible point total 2560.

This event took place under sunny skies with unusually calm conditions for the big lake. Water temperatures over the past couple of weeks plummeted from the mid-80s to the low 70s with some recent cool nights and read 73 degrees at the start. With little wind the sun had a strong effect and heated surface temps to 77-78 by weigh-in. The water quality was excellent, lightly stained but very clear. The day started cool, around 60 degrees, but finished well above 80 at the 2:30 weigh-in. Conditions were quite nice for the fishermen but the fish were skittish and it was tough to coax a bite.

Before he could even wet a line Ed had to withdrawn due to boat problems, leaving just 3 anglers competing. John came out on top with a 5-fish limit that weighed 9.22 lbs. and had the day’s lunker, a nice 3.57 lb. fish. Dave placed second with 4 fish that weighed 7.14 lbs.

Being the final event of the season also meant crowning a Co-angler of the year, with that title going to Nick Mulcahy who took the crown for the third year in a row, this time by default as there were no other co-anglers registered with Avid this season.

In yet another streak, Dave Waugh captured the annual Big Fish award for the fourth season in a row, with this year’s lunker weighing in at 4.71 lbs., taken at Monponsett.