JACK WOLLITZ Local angler closer to bass pro status

Dan Mansky took another step toward his lifelong dream of becoming a big-time pro bass angler last weekend when he finished third in the FLW Everstart Northern Series tournament out of Detroit.
Competing against a strong field of competitors that included former Citgo BASS Masters Classic champion Dion Hibdon of Missouri, Mansky proved he has the skills and perseverance to fish with the big boys.
Mansky, 28, of Youngstown, won $9,000 with his third-place finish and has set his sights on competing on the FLW Tour, a national bass tournament circuit with fields that include such stars as Larry Nixon, Kevin VanDam and Rick Clunn.
On heels of hurricane
Last Saturday, on the heels of Hurricane Isidore, Mansky sacked a five-bass limit of Lake Erie smallmouth bass that weighed an even 20 pounds. Enroute to the final round, he survived the two-day cut down to 20 competitors with 32.10 pounds and made the last day's field of 10 with another 17 pounds.
The Everstart series anglers had to endure heavy rain and waves that reached more than six feet high as they slogged out from Detroit. Mansky's destination each day was more than 40 miles out in Lake Erie near Pelee Island in Canadian water. He made the run in a new Champion 206 boat powered by a Mercury Optimax 225-hp outboard.
"The boat held up, but it took a terrific pounding," Mansky said. "I had to tighten up all the screws during the week, but we made it."
His rig today is a far cry from the first boat and motor he used in competition. He signed on at age 17 in Youngstown's Mohawk Valley Bass Club and fished out of a 14-foot Starcraft with a 9.9-hp Evinrude. Today he's thankful for the support of Vic's Sports Center in Kent, where owner Vic Vatalaro has set him up on the Champion pro team. "I couldn't do this without Vic's help, plus the support I get from the United Auto Workers," said Mansky, an assembler at General Motors' Lordstown plant.
For the Detroit Everstart tournament, Mansky scouted the big waters of Lake Erie by driving around the lake with a map and marker buoys.
Used GPS, markers
"When I found something that looked good, I'd toss out a marker and start fishing. If I caught something decent, I'd mark the spot on my GPS and come back in the tournament."
His best spot turned out to be a breakline in 14 feet of water.
"Big smallies were stacked on the corner where the current came over the break," Mansky said. "I caught my limit on a tube jig, then picked up a 1-ounce spinnerbait and immediately got bites from 4-pounders."
When the spinnerbait bite slowed, he added additional weight thanks to a drop-shot rig featuring a tube on a 1/0 Gamakatsu hook.
Now Mansky has an opportunity to fish in the Everstart Championship Tournament in November at Lake Martin in Alabama.
He is quick to credit the background he gained in fishing in local club tournaments.
"Mohawk Valley has the best anglers around this area," he said. "I remember my first tournament. It was at Mosquito and I was with Rick Vargin of Struthers and we both caught a couple of limits that day."
For 2003, Mansky is looking ahead to the possibility of fishing FLW Tour and BASSMASTER Open tournaments.
"I'm taking it one step at a time and if this works out, great. If it doesn't, well, at least I tried my best."
jwwollitz@aol.com