Lucarelli wins Everstart Series Northern Division event on 1000 Islands

CLAYTON, N.Y.- Weighing a five-bass limit totaling 22 pounds, 8 ounces on the final day of competition Joe Lucarelli of Center Harbor, N.H., won the EverStart Series Northern Division on 1000 Islands by a mere eight-ounces over second place Bob Izumi of Milton Ontario. Lucarelli’s three-day total of 15 bass weighed 63 pounds, 13 ounces and earned him $27,842 for his victory.

Known by fellow anglers as a master in the drop-shotting, Lucarelli, caught all his fish drop-shooting Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms and X Zone Slammers in 32- to 47- feet of water with a Dobyns 703 Champion Extreme and Shimano Sustain Spinning Reel. Lucarelli said that he had four rods on deck at all times and that’s all it took.

“I spent countless hours eliminating dead water during practice and that really made a difference during the tournament,” Lucarelli said. “I was able to go to productive areas right off the bat and start catching fish. There is an elite group of guys that fish the EverStart Series Northern Division, a group that always seem to excel and make the top-10s that you just can’t make a mistake against.

“Everybody lost fish in this tournament, that’s no excuse,” Lucarelli continued. “I lost two on the first day, two that I would call “special” fish. They put so much pressure on that I had to cut the line; I have never had to do that before. But each day got better for me and today was one of those days where everything flowed. My execution was very, very good, I made all the right moves at all the right times and I was able to stay ahead of the game, not scramble at the end trying to make something happen. It was a good day!

“I am very fortunate that I get to practice with my dad. It is so special to be able to learn and grow in this sport alongside someone that close. It truly is unbelievable.”

Lucarelli’s father Steve finished 28th at 1000 Islands in the pro division.

Rounding out the top 10 pros were:

2nd: Bob Izumi, Milton, Ontario, 15 bass, 62-15, $9,546

3rd: Snapple pro Jacob Powroznik, Prince George, Va., 15 bass, 62-3, $7,955

4th: Derek Strub, Elora, Ontario, 15 bass, 61-14, $7,159

5th: Jason Ober, Johnstown, Pa., 15 bass, 60-9, $6,364

6th: Chris Flint, Potsdam, N.Y., 15 bass, 60-5, $5,568

7th: Jamie Hartman, Newport, N.Y., 15 bass, 60-2, $4,773

8th: Tom Belinda, Holidaysburg, Pa., 15 bass, 59-6, $3,977

9th: Bill Chapman, Salt Rock, W. Va., 15 bass, 56-9, $3,182

10th: Howard Hammonds, Westport, N.Y., 15 bass, 51-12, $2,386

Complete results can be found at FLWOutdoors.com.

Strub caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Pro Division Friday – a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass – that earned him the day’s EverStart Series Big Bass award of $214.

Joseph Stois Sr., of Fairview Park, Ohio, won the Co-angler Division with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 51 pound, 7 ounces. For his efforts Stois Sr., won a Ranger Z117 with an Evinrude or Mercury outboard motor.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:

2nd: Rich Clarke, Clayton, N.Y., 15 bass, 48-7, $3,755

3rd: James Mignanelli, Harmony, Pa., 15 bass, 47-5, $3,338

4th: Stephen Kocell, Waxhaw, N.C., 15 bass, 46-6, $2,920

5th: Roberto Straccini, Nepean, Ontario, 15 bass, 46-0, $2,503

6th: James Perez, Rensselaer, N.Y., 15 bass, 44-6, $2,086

7th: Doug Caldwell, Kane, Pa., 15 bass, 43-13, $1,669

8th: Doug Wiser, Brackney, Pa., 15 bass, 40-14, $1,252

9th: Joe Wilkerson, Falls Church, Va., 12 bass, 38-6, $834

10th: David Kelly, Goose Creek, S.C., 13 bass, 33-6, $668

Brian Depto of Waxhaw, N.C., caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Thursday – a 5-pound, 13-ounce bass – that earned him the day’s EverStart Series Big Bass award of $142.

The EverStart Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of four tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points in each division that could earn them the Strike King Angler of the Year title along with $5,000 for the pro and $2,000 for the co-angler. The top 40 pros and co-anglers from each respective division will qualify for the EverStart Series Championship that will be held on the Ouachita River in Monroe, La., Nov. 1-4.

The next EverStart Series Northern Division tournament will be Sept. 6-8 on the Potomac River in Marbury, Md., Charles County Government – Office of Tourism will host the event.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWOutdoors.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.