Jay Caponigro

Dawn’s first light is creeping over the trees.  The water is like glass with the smell of morning dew in the air.  With a flick of the wrist line zips from my reel and my lure makes a gentle ripple as it lands in the water next to an emerging stump.  Before my lure hits the bottom the line goes straight.  Without another thought I rear back and set the hook.  As the fish heads for deeper water I lead him away from structure, constantly reeling.  I can feel my legs shaking beneath me.  Finally, as I bring the fish towards the boat I put my hand down towards the water and grip her by the lip.  “There’s number one,” I say to myself as I put the fish in the livewell and ready myself to do it again.  I have been bass fishing for 14 years and this image still puts a smile on my face.  It’s the image I see before I go to sleep at night, and the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning.  Bass fishing has quickly consumed my thoughts and dreams.  I have been tournament fishing for 3 seasons with Midconn Anglers as well as the Connecticut BASS Federation.   I was born and raised in Meriden, CT where I attended Maloney High School.  After high school I went on to attain a bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education from Eastern Connecticut State University.  While at college my love for the sport of bass fishing grew.  I purchased my first bass boat (17' aluminum Starcraft) and began fishing every chance I got.  Throughout my college career I learned a variety of fishing styles and I couldn't wait to learn more.  In 2004 I was fortunate enough to join Midconn Anglers which harbored my competitive side and hooked me from the start.  Entering my first Midconn tournament I was nervous.  I didn't sleep much the night before and I had no confidence in any pattern going into the tournament.  Luckily I got on a pattern earlier and was able to take first place and lunker in my very first tournament.  My smile was ear to ear for the rest of the weekend.  From this moment on I knew there was only one path for me.  I have set the goal for myself that one day I will walk across the stage of a professional event.  No matter how long it takes I will not give up on this goal.  I have attended a Bassmaster’s Classic as a spectator, the next time, I want to be their as an angler.