Hickey Nets First-Ever Collegiate Win at NCBA Chazy River
Chazy, NY ~ To kick off her final year with the Paul Smith's College Bass Fishing team, senior angler Jessica Hickey (Tewksbury, MA) brought home her first-ever first place trophy in the team's first event of the collegiate fall season.
The team competed against 21 other teams on the northern end of Lake Champlain in the North Country Bass Anglers (NCBA) event. With a successful practice day under their belts, two PSC boats took off at 7am on Saturday with high hopes. Battling high winds and big waves, many teams struggled to locate offshore bass to be able to effectively fish the shallow water structure.
The duo of Kirk Smith (Henderson, NY) and Collin Trapiss fought through tough conditions and finished the day in the middle of the pack. The team of Jessica Hickey and head coach Brett Wimsatt were able to execute their plan flawlessly and secure a first-place finish with a 20.42 lb total bag.
"It feels incredible to finally break through," said Hickey, who has been a mainstay on the team since its inception in 2022. "The key for the day was slowing down and locking in on finesse fishing," she added, showcasing her ability to read the waters and fish like a pro.
Head coach Brett Wimsatt thrilled about the performance of his senior trawler, complimenting her strategy while recalling the fortuitous practice round which led to not only first-place honors but the Big Bass of the tournament award as well.
"We knew Saturday was going to be something special when we landed two four-pound largemouth bass and found a school of offshore smallies during practice," said Wimsatt. "Seeing Jess take what we learned in practice and then apply it during game time was absolutely incredible. It was all that much sweeter when she landed the final 3.8 lb largemouth that secured her first-ever tournament win!"
Recognizing that getting quality bites was going to be challenging, Hickey made the decision to put down reaction baits in shallower water and concentrate on fishing deep structure with finesse tactics. Playing to her strong suits and working a drop shot in 8-20 feet of water, Hickey weighed in three of the five bass for the team, averaging an impressive 3.8 lbs.
"This is just the beginning," added Hickey, "...And I couldn't be more excited for what's ahead."
The Bobcats are back on Lake Champlain on Sunday, September 7th for another NCBA event, this time based out of Port Henry, NY near the idyllic Crown Point Bridge which is sure to give anglers and onlookers alike good fishing and amazing scenery as the Adirondack leaves begin to change and herald in the crisp autumn season.
You can follow the bass team on Instagram at @pscbass or check out the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, schedules, highlights, photos, and much more!
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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.