2009 AOY and ROY Honors Handed Out

– February 9, 2010
2009 AOY and ROY Honors Handed Out


So what is the Angler of the Year Title?

At Maple Bass Masters the second highest club honor goes to the angler with the heaviest total weight of bass caught in his best six tournaments throughout the year. The reason for this award is that often times we have quality fishermen that are not able to attend all of the tournaments  and events that the club puts on because of work or other responsibilities. Although the Mr. Bass winner might also have enough weight to win the Angler of the Year award we do not allow him to hold both titles (He has enough to worry about just trying to retain one!). The AOY title is actually a very difficult award to attain! Just think of it this way, how do you go out and fish only six tournaments and catch more weight than the other anglers that are able to fish twenty or more? Tough huh? This award allows us to recognize that special angler’s fishing abilities.

So now I bet you wanna know who our Angler of the year for 2009 is??? Well the AOY title went to one of the best fisherman in our club…Jim O’Malley! Jim did an excellent job this year , not only was he our 2009 AOY winner but he placed 3rd overall for the year and has also qualified as a member of the Illinois BASS Federation State Team multiple times. Jim will represent us this year as the 3rd boater at the State Championship this year at Rend Lake! Good Luck Buddy! Now those are definitely some fine achievements! Jim is also one of our longest tenured members and always is quick to share his knowledge and expertise on the water with everyone! So when Jim O’Malley speaks…you better be listening! I do! Congrats on a job well done Jim!

Rookie of the Year?

So what is a Rookie? Well a lot of people have their own definitions but here at Maple we determine our Rookie’s as those that have joined the club within the last year. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are rookies at fishing, as our 2009 winner was definitely a formidable force on the water last year! Ric Stanczak proved throughout the year that this new kid on the block could fish! He won or placed highly in several of the tournaments that he fished in and somehow took Big Bass honors a couple of times throughout the year…go figure…it must be beginners luck although Ric attributes his success to the teaching skills of his wife Shelley (or at least I think that was who he was always texting while he was supposed to be fishing). Well anyway, one thing you have to recognize is that our reigning ROY is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2010 and beyond. So congratulations Ric and remember you can’t win the ROY ever again and now your fishing with the “Big Boyz”! (P.S. We just might be disqualifying you this year if that Shelley person keeps sending you those tips via text!)