Deep Sweet Spot Carried Carmell To Victory

By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor

Christopher Carmell accomplished several things by winning the recent Kerr Lake Northern EverStart.

First, he conquered the lake that he felt had owed him since 2005, when he finished 2nd in a BFL Regional there. Second, he earned himself a victory in his first EverStart since 2008. And maybe more importantly, he notched the win fishing an area of the lake he’d never looked at before, a revelation that could bode well for him later this year when he fishes another BFL Regional event at Kerr.

“It feels good,” he said. “I wasn’t quite sure what I had going on in practice, but after day 1, I figured I had found what I was looking for.”

His 3-day total of 36-01 was 6 ounces better than runner-up Nick Gainey and allowed him to close out a wire-to-wire triumph.

“You watch the big-time pros do it every now and then,” he said of leading start to finish. “It doesn’t happen often. I’m pretty proud of it. You have to be on some decent fish to make that happen.”

He’s fished Kerr since the late 1980s, so he’s pretty in tune with what the fish typically do this time of year. Temperatures for June so far have been cooler than normal and with clouds blanketing the area for most of practice, he noted the fish were “just confused.”

“I prefer to fish deep down there just because for a lot of guys, it’s not their forte,” he said. “I can fish shallow or deep, but I prefer deep. The thing with Kerr is they’re either one or the other and in this particular week, they were from 1 foot to 30 feet. Guys were catching them everywhere. It was a very hard tournament and I had to find myself that little sweet spot.”

Here’s how he did it.

Practice

Carmell started his practice the Friday before the tournament when air temperatures were in the 90s and the fish were holding in deeper water. He went home for the weekend and came back Monday to cloudy skies. That prompted him to run up lake to see if he could get on a spinnerbait bite.

The following day he ran around with his electronics, searching for small features that might be fish magnets.

“I spent the whole day looking for stuff in deep water – brush piles or irregularities on the creek ledges or channels,” he said.

He uncovered a small creek channel between two points that had a couple old logs on the bottom. With some grass to one side along with some jagged, chunk rock, he got bit on his first three casts.

“The spot was about the size of a pickup truck and if you could get your bait in there every time, you’d get bit every time,” he said.

He went back and checked the spot Wednesday morning and got bit again on his first cast.

“I went ahead and set the hook to see the quality of fish down there and it was a big one.”

Competition

> Day 1: 5, 16-10
> Day 2: 5, 14-05
> Day 3: 3, 5-02
> Total = 13, 36-01

The cloud cover persisted through day 1 of competition and Carmell capitalized on the wads of bluebacks holding in deeper water.

He had 13 1/2 pounds right away, then went looking for new stuff in the event his primary spot cooled off. He returned to his first spot around 1 p.m. and popped a 5 1/2-pounder that anchored his 16-10 stringer, the heaviest of the tournament, and took the early lead.

“They were holding around that grass and that kept the fish down there, too,” he said. “Those blueback herring have those fish completely confused. When it’s sunny, the bluebacks will get up on the points and shoals and the fish will chase them. When it gets cloudy, they’ll go deep so they make the bass do some weird things (rather) than what we’re used to seeing.”

The sun made its return on day 2, but he was able to get a decent limit in his livewell before it got above the tree tops. The bites began to spread out so he put down the big worm he’d thrown up to that point and began throwing a 3/8-ounce jig, which produced a pair of a 3 1/2-pound upgrades.

“They wouldn’t bite the worm, but they bit that,” he said.

His 14-05 sack gave him 30-15 and a 6-06 lead with 1 day left.

Day 3 was a completely different story as his best spot shut down and it forced him to run around and cobble together three bites for 5-02.

“I just ran around and started hitting some other stuff where I was catching some fish. Things changed dramatically,” he said. “It was really windy. I tried to get on a spinnerbait bite, but couldn’t get it going. I basically ran around and tried to catch as many fish as I could. I was just trying to hold on.”

Despite coming in two fish shy of a limit, he edged Gainey, whose 12-12 bag was the best among the 10 finalists.

“I knew the guys would have to catch them because I had a 6 1/2-pound lead,” he said. “I was more worried about the 2nd- and 3rd-place guys. I was a little nervous. I figured I needed 8 pounds to be safe and I figured I had 5 1/2.”

Pattern Notes

Carmell felt the key to his spot and pattern was the simple fact that the baitfish were stacked up in the area. He got all of his bites out of 17 or 18 feet of water.

“It was a good ambush point for the fish to hide in,” he said. “I think you could probably go back there when the conditions are right and do the same thing. I think those fish will be there all summer.”

Winning Gear Notes

> Worm gear: 7’6” heavy-action Bass Pro Shops Extreme Series casting rod, Abu Garcia Revo STX casting reel (7.1:1 ratio), 20-pound Seaguar InvisX fluorocarbon line, 1/2-ounce Strike King tungsten bullet weight, 5/0 Owner Oversized worm hook, 9 1/2” Reaction Innovations Big Unit worm (watermelon/green-pumpkin).

> Jig gear: Same rod, same reel, same line, 3/8-ounce Dave’s Tournament Tackle Big Bite jig (chameleon purple), NetBait Paca Craw trailer (green-pumpkin).

> On day 3, when he couldn’t buy a bite on the worm or jig, he caught his fish on a Carolina-rigged Zoom Brush Hog as well as a soft-plastic stickbait rigged on a 3/8-ounce Picassco football-head jig.

The Bottom Line

> Main factor in his success – “Just putting my time in. You have to practice no matter how well you know the lake. Somebody’s always going to find something better nine times out of 10. I had put 4 solid days of practice in and was looking for what I found. In all of my years of fishing down there, I’d never fished this particular spot.”

> Performance edge – “My Lowrance HDS units. That’s what did it for me. I just had them installed 3 days before I left for the tournament. I hadn’t used it yet so I really had no idea what I was looking at. I had to learn while I was on the water to find out what I was actually looking for.”

Notable

> Carmell is a tugboat captain who oversees a fleet of 13 boats in Norfolk, Va.

Much of the tackle referenced above is available at the BassFan Store. To browse the selection, click here.

Final Standings

> Field: 101 boats

1. Christopher Carmell -- Moyock, NC -- 16-10 (5) -- 14-05 (5) -- 5-02 (3) -- 36-01 (13) -- $26,749

2. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, SC -- 10-00 (4) -- 12-15 (5) -- 12-12 (5) -- 35-11 (14) -- $9,171

3. George Lambeth -- Thomasville, NC -- 11-10 (5) -- 12-15 (5) -- 10-04 (5) -- 34-13 (15) -- $7,642

4. Brian Divito -- Trafford, Pa -- 5-05 (3) -- 16-08 (5) -- 11-06 (4) -- 33-03 (12) -- $6,878

5. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 9-00 (5) -- 11-02 (5) -- 12-04 (5) -- 32-06 (15) -- $6,114

6. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 10-05 (5) -- 10-09 (5) -- 10-14 (5) -- 31-12 (15) -- $5,350

7. Tom Wilkinson -- Oxford, NC -- 11-14 (5) -- 8-11 (5) -- 8-14 (5) -- 29-07 (15) -- $4,585

8. Bill Chapman -- Salt Rock, WV -- 11-00 (5) -- 9-14 (5) -- 8-03 (5) -- 29-01 (15) -- $3,821

9. Cavin Young -- Prince George, Va -- 14-03 (5) -- 7-05 (3) -- 6-13 (4) -- 28-05 (12) -- $3,057

10. Joseph Wood -- Westport, Ma -- 8-09 (4) -- 11-06 (5) -- 3-00 (2) -- 22-15 (11) -- $2,293

The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 3.

11. Mike Miller -- Trinity, NC -- 5-04 (2) -- 14-07 (5) -- 19-11 (7) -- $1,528

12. Brad Rutherford -- Lavonia, Ga -- 9-04 (5) -- 10-02 (5) -- 19-06 (10) -- $1,528

13. Blaine Bucy -- Weirton, WV -- 10-13 (5) -- 8-08 (5) -- 19-05 (10) -- $1,528

14. Gregg Seal -- Eldred, Pa -- 10-03 (5) -- 9-01 (5) -- 19-04 (10) -- $1,528

15. Joe Sancho -- New Windsor, NY -- 10-06 (4) -- 8-03 (4) -- 18-09 (8) -- $1,528

16. Brandon Sykes -- Apex, NC -- 8-08 (4) -- 10-00 (4) -- 18-08 (8) -- $1,146

17. Mike Hoskings -- Spotsylvania, Va -- 15-00 (5) -- 3-04 (2) -- 18-04 (7) -- $1,146

18. Trevor Knight -- Magnolia, De -- 10-01 (5) -- 7-13 (5) -- 17-14 (10) -- $1,146

19. Matt Stoupa -- Colonial Heights, Va -- 9-12 (5) -- 7-14 (4) -- 17-10 (9) -- $1,146

20. Derik Hudson -- Hurt, Va -- 11-05 (5) -- 6-02 (3) -- 17-07 (8) -- $1,146

21. Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 6-14 (3) -- 10-08 (5) -- 17-06 (8) -- $1,070

22. Cory Byrum -- Garysburg, NC -- 8-01 (4) -- 9-02 (5) -- 17-03 (9) -- $1,070

23. Jess Caraballo -- Danbury, Ct -- 11-00 (5) -- 6-02 (4) -- 17-02 (9) -- $1,070

24. Ron Wolfarth -- Oakboro, NC -- 14-06 (5) -- 1-13 (1) -- 16-03 (6) -- $1,070

25. J.T. Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 13-05 (5) -- 2-14 (2) -- 16-03 (7) -- $1,070

26. Scooter Lilley -- Jamesville, NC -- 10-11 (5) -- 5-08 (3) -- 16-03 (8) -- $994

27. Ray Griffin -- Henderson, NC -- 10-04 (5) -- 5-13 (3) -- 16-01 (8) -- $994

28. Paul Mueller -- Southbury, Ct -- 8-12 (5) -- 7-05 (4) -- 16-01 (9) -- $994

29. Tom Belinda -- Holidaysburg, Pa -- 6-12 (4) -- 8-14 (5) -- 15-10 (9) -- $994

30. Brian Bowers -- Franklinton, NC -- 6-09 (3) -- 8-14 (4) -- 15-07 (7) -- $994

31. Ed Casey -- Whiteford, Md -- 6-05 (4) -- 9-01 (4) -- 15-06 (8) -- $917

32. William Kemp -- Scotland Neck, NC -- 8-13 (5) -- 6-07 (4) -- 15-04 (9) -- $917

33. Mark Inman -- Greensboro, NC -- 4-12 (3) -- 10-06 (4) -- 15-02 (7) -- $917

34. Ryan Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 4-15 (2) -- 9-10 (5) -- 14-09 (7) -- $917

35. Steve Deguzis -- Bristol, Ct -- 7-07 (3) -- 7-01 (2) -- 14-08 (5)

36. Ron Brown -- Mount Pleasant, SC -- 3-14 (2) -- 10-05 (4) -- 14-03 (6)

37. Rodney Sorrell -- Stokesdale, NC -- 7-00 (4) -- 7-03 (4) -- 14-03 (8)

38. Curt Tindall -- Brandon, Vt -- 12-09 (5) -- 1-08 (1) -- 14-01 (6)

39. Randy Yarnall -- Womelsdorf, Pa -- 8-15 (4) -- 5-00 (3) -- 13-15 (7)

40. Gary Krammes -- Pottsville, Pa -- 8-08 (5) -- 5-02 (3) -- 13-10 (8)

41. Jeff Hippert -- Hamburg, NY -- 8-00 (4) -- 5-07 (3) -- 13-07 (7)

42. Rex Johnsonbaugh -- Altoona, Pa -- 4-08 (3) -- 8-11 (5) -- 13-03 (8)

43. Alphonse Gambardella -- North Haven, Ct -- 7-04 (5) -- 5-15 (3) -- 13-03 (8)

44. Joseph Fonzi -- Gasport, NY -- 7-10 (4) -- 5-05 (2) -- 12-15 (6)

45. Red Moore -- Graham, NC -- 2-02 (1) -- 10-06 (5) -- 12-08 (6)

46. Burley Warf -- Moneta, Va -- 7-13 (5) -- 4-04 (2) -- 12-01 (7)

47. Paul Shuey -- Wake Forest, NC -- 8-08 (4) -- 3-06 (2) -- 11-14 (6)

48. William Shelton Iii -- La Crosse, Va -- 8-12 (5) -- 3-00 (2) -- 11-12 (7)

49. Cory Leonard -- Castalia, NC -- 5-04 (3) -- 6-08 (3) -- 11-12 (6)

50. Matt Stasiak -- Pittsburgh, Pa -- 8-00 (4) -- 3-08 (2) -- 11-08 (6)

51. Nick Radtke -- Greenwood Lake, NY -- 8-13 (5) -- 2-09 (1) -- 11-06 (6)

52. Walt Bowen -- Walnut Cove, NC -- 7-01 (4) -- 3-15 (2) -- 11-00 (6)

53. Gaspare Costabile -- Niagara Falls, On -- 3-05 (2) -- 7-09 (4) -- 10-14 (6)

54. Andy Francis -- Abingdon, Va -- 5-10 (3) -- 5-02 (4) -- 10-12 (7)

55. Richard Greene -- Laurinburg, NC -- 3-05 (2) -- 7-03 (4) -- 10-08 (6)

56. Michael Brown -- Etobicoke, On -- 6-13 (4) -- 3-09 (2) -- 10-06 (6)

57. Skeet Bennett -- Wake Forest, NC -- 5-09 (4) -- 4-13 (3) -- 10-06 (7)

58. Jami Pierce -- Leland, NC -- 8-08 (4) -- 1-09 (1) -- 10-01 (5)

59. Art Vengels -- Bensalem, Pa -- 6-02 (4) -- 3-13 (2) -- 9-15 (6)

60. Justin Jones -- Apex, NC -- 6-13 (3) -- 2-14 (2) -- 9-11 (5)

61. Mike McDonald -- Randleman, NC -- 7-09 (3) -- 1-14 (1) -- 9-07 (4)

62. Michael Ertel -- Manahawkin, NJ -- 1-14 (1) -- 7-07 (4) -- 9-05 (5)

63. Rock Monteith -- Columbia, SC -- 9-04 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-04 (5)

64. Bruce Bingenheimer -- Hamburg, NY -- 5-15 (3) -- 3-05 (2) -- 9-04 (5)

65. Lon Fleming -- Piedmont, SC -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-00 (5) -- 9-00 (5)

66. Manley Jones -- Raleigh, NC -- 8-07 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-07 (4)

67. Mike Hundley -- Clarksville, Va -- 2-04 (1) -- 6-02 (2) -- 8-06 (3)

68. Mark Frickman -- Shelbyville, Mi -- 5-05 (2) -- 3-01 (2) -- 8-06 (4)

69. Jeffrey Ware -- Rixeyville, Va -- 8-05 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-05 (5)

70. Harold Marietta -- Hunker, Pa -- 3-09 (2) -- 4-09 (2) -- 8-02 (4)

71. D Patrick Flanagan -- Marietta, NY -- 5-15 (3) -- 2-02 (1) -- 8-01 (4)

72. Eddie Daniels -- Clayton, NC -- 4-13 (3) -- 3-03 (2) -- 8-00 (5)

73. Chris Foley -- State College, Pa -- 3-07 (2) -- 4-09 (3) -- 8-00 (5)

74. Mike Hancin -- North Franklin, Ct -- 6-05 (3) -- 1-10 (1) -- 7-15 (4)

75. Will Jefferies -- Bountiful, Ut -- 3-14 (2) -- 3-14 (2) -- 7-12 (4)

76. Scott Kerslake -- Henderson, NC -- 6-04 (3) -- 1-07 (1) -- 7-11 (4)

77. Doug Larson -- Suffolk, Va -- 2-05 (1) -- 5-00 (3) -- 7-05 (4)

78. Jason Ober -- Johnstown, Pa -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-00 (4) -- 7-00 (4)

79. Huw Spicer -- Shelburne, On -- 3-02 (2) -- 3-12 (2) -- 6-14 (4)

80. Mike Judge -- Thorndale, On -- 1-11 (1) -- 4-14 (3) -- 6-09 (4)

81. Michael Hall -- Annandale, Va -- 4-10 (3) -- 1-14 (1) -- 6-08 (4)

82. Chris Novack -- Mansfield Center, Ct -- 4-09 (3) -- 1-10 (1) -- 6-03 (4)

83. Ronald Martinez Jr. -- Valley View, Oh -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-12 (3) -- 5-12 (3)

84. Everette Rigsbee -- Knightdale, NC -- 2-01 (1) -- 3-10 (2) -- 5-11 (3)

85. Howard Hammonds -- Westport, NY -- 3-14 (2) -- 1-11 (1) -- 5-09 (3)

86. Tommy Lee -- Oakville, On -- 3-03 (2) -- 2-05 (1) -- 5-08 (3)

87. Frank Ippoliti -- Mercersburg, Pa -- 3-09 (2) -- 1-10 (1) -- 5-03 (3)

88. Troy Garrison -- Topsham, Me -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-00 (3) -- 5-00 (3)

89. Garry Woodruff -- Candia, Nh -- 4-10 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-10 (2)

90. Chris Flint -- Potsdam, NY -- 3-02 (1) -- 1-07 (1) -- 4-09 (2)

91. Rick Nitkiewicz -- Pittsburgh, Pa -- 3-13 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-13 (2)

92. Mark Williams -- Taylorsville, NC -- 3-09 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-09 (2)

93. Mike Elie -- Gray, Me -- 3-08 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-08 (2)

94. AJ Zitzmann -- Montreal, Qc -- 3-06 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-06 (2)

95. Roger Hensley -- Jonesboro, In -- 1-10 (1) -- 1-10 (1) -- 3-04 (2)

96. Robert (RJ) Degrandcourt -- Clarksville, Va -- 2-05 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-05 (1)

97. Paul Kimball -- Glastonbury, Ct -- 1-07 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-07 (1)

97. Tyler Purcell -- Pittsboro, NC -- 1-07 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-07 (1)

Gary Barone -- State College, Pa -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Cory Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Kerry Page -- Southport, NC -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)