Former Bassmaster Elite Series angler Charlie Hartley posted his first B.A.S.S. victory Saturday with a three-day total of 41-13 to claim the James River Northern Open.
The Grove, City, Ohio, angler sealed the win with a 13-11 stringer on the final day to claim the boat/motor package and $6,699 in cash along with the berth in the 2017 Bassmaster Classic, which is contingent upon him competing in the final Northern Open at Lake Champlain next month.
Hartley said the final day was “very slow and tedious," and his first keeper measured just over 12 inches. Things picked up from there.
“There never was a flurry, or I was never thinking the day was going good,” he said. “I was actually frustrated.”
A Texas-rigged 7-inch ribbontail worm (junebug) on a 4/0 Owner worm hook behind a pegged 3/16-ounce weight was his best producer as he targeted pilings, barges, concrete cover and cypress trees.
“I fished 100 percent hard cover the whole tournament,” he said.
Hartley caught all of his fish from 1 to 5 feet deep despite fishing in 90-degree weather every day.
Additional details of Hartley's pattern will be published at a later date.
Twenty-three-year-old Virginian Cody Pike finished 2nd with 39-6. FLW Tour star David Dudley was 3rd with 39-05. Former Elite Series competitor Matthew Sphar took 4th with 39-04 while Brandon Palaniuk was 5th with 39-01.
Here's a recap of how the 12 finalists finished up:
1. Charlie Hartley: 41-13
2. Cody Pike: 39-06
3. David Dudley: 39-05
4. Matthew Sphar: 39-04
5. Brandon Palaniuk: 39-01
6. George Yund: 37-09
7. Kelly Pratt: 36-15
8. Steve Miller: 35-11
9. Gerald Sensabaugh: 35-00
10. Chad Pipkens: 34-06
11. Vince Troiano: 31-13
12. Rob Uzzle: 31-05
