Magargle ‘sticks’ EverStart win

Extra-limber baits deliver 1000 Islands title to Pennsylvania co-angler

CLAYTON, N.Y. – What better endorsement for a small business owner than to win a competitive event with your own product? That was the storyline for Pennsylvania co-angler Casey Magargle, who topped EverStart Northern Division at 1000 Islands.

Through his Sneaky Hollow Bait Company, Magargle creates hand-poured plastics formulated with fish-attracting scents and flavors. For the 1000 Islands event, Magargle formulated an extra-limber version of his Dead Stick bait and effectively used this bait in a wacky presentation to amass a three-day total of 50 pounds, 7 ounces. He earned a Ranger boat package including motor and trailer for his win.

“I used smoke-purple tubes earlier in the week, but today we went in shallow and I was able to use the Dead Stick that I make,” he said. “The big ones bit, and it was a good day. This is only the fourth EverStart I’ve been in, so I’m pretty happy.”

Targeting rocks and grass in 6 to 12 feet of water, Magargle found his action commencing early. “All of my big fish bit in the first 10 minutes. I actually quit fishing about 9 o’clock.”

Notably, Magargle’s most effective color was Baby Pooh. The bait’s actually a deep green that a friend likened to something one might encounter on diaper duty. Demonstrating his marketing sensibilities, Magargle softened the analogy to a more politically correct description.

Magargle began the tournament in 22nd place after day one, improved to fifth on day two and sealed the deal on day three with a 19-8 limit – the biggest co-angler catch of the final round.

Golub gathers second-place catch

Ken Golub of Pittsford, N.Y., held the third-place spot for two days after registering weights of 18-4 and 13-10. On day three, he caught a limit of 16-4 and gained one notch to finish second with a tournament total of 48-2.

Drop-shotting with the XZone slammer produced all of Golub’s fish. He did best with the shiner color.

Best of the rest

Day-one leader Larry Lafaver of Watertown, N.Y., placed third with 46-8, while Anthony Savino of Marlboro, N.Y., took fourth with 44-9. Moving up from 10th, Nathan Knapp of Brooktondale, N.Y., was fifth with 44-6.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers at the EverStart Series 1000 Islands event:

6th: David Kelly of Goose Creek, S.C., 41-15

7th: Gary Knight of Magnolia, Del., 41-8

8th: Kevin Hesson,of Polk, Pa., 39-13

9th: Michael Bahnweg of Union Dale, Pa., 36-15

10th: Doug Caldwell of Kane, Pa., 36-12