After the first two Bassmaster Northern Opens of 2016, New Jersey’s Greg Dipalma found himself in fifth place in the AOY standings, only seven points below the top spot. He had been the model of consistency, nabbing 15th place at New York’s Oneida Lake and 14th place at Virginia’s James River.
Before Northern Open #3, he was guardedly optimistic about an Elite Series invitation. He qualified for the Elites via the Northern Opens in 2006 and was unable to sign on.
Since then, Dipalma has been fishing the Bassmaster Opens with the goal of getting another shot at the Elites. He’s been close, finishing 10th in the Northern Open AOY standings in 2015 and 12th in 2014.
“Funny that my season is coming down to Lake Champlain,” Dipalma said. “Champlain has always been my nemesis.”
Unfortunately, Champlain won out in the end again. Dipalma finished 125th and moved down to 26th in the Northern Opens AOY Standings for 2016.
It was surprising considering Dipalma won the New Jersey B.A.S.S. Nation State team qualifier at Champlain last June. The event took place at Ticonderoga, N.Y., and the timing couldn’t have been better for the largemouth bite in that section of the lake. He sacked an impressive three-day total of 59.49 pounds.
Unfortunately for Dipalma, Bassmaster Northern Opens usually happen later in the year out of Plattsburg, N.Y. To reach Ticonderoga from Plattsburg requires a 70-mile trek south. When blustery north or south winds kick up, the long run is brutal on bass boats and bass anglers. So much so that competitors who run to Ticonderoga risk checking in late and being disqualified.
Dipalma has been bass fishing since he was a tad thanks to his grandfather, Gary Montana, who was an avid bass angler. At age 83 Montana still gets on the water a few times a year.
“I was always on the water as a kid,” Dipalma said. “I’ve always wanted to be a professional bass fisherman.”
Besides the Bassmaster Opens, Dipalma competes regularly in other tournaments, including B.A.S.S. Nation events. By winning the New Jersey B.A.S.S. Nation State team qualifier at Champlain, Dipalma qualified to fish a B.A.S.S. Nation regional next spring.
“It’s another way to get to the Classic,” Dipalma said.
Dipalma also competes in a slew of local tournaments, such as those on the Upper Chesapeake where he does especially well. As of this writing, he has won five tournaments on the Upper Chesapeake in 2016. Last June he won a 120-boat field Cashion Rods tournament on Oneida Lake with a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth that weighed 18-6.
Whenever Dipalma competes in a Bassmaster Open on the James River, he feels right at home.
“I grew up tidal water fishing,” Dipalma said. “It’s in my blood. The Maurice River behind my house is identical to the James, but smaller.”
Although Dipalma excels at casting into shallow water for bass, he prefers fishing deep. He finished in 13th place at the 2015 Lake Erie Northern Open by fishing deep for smallmouth bass.
When he’s not competing in a tournament, Dipalma works for his father’s construction company, E.D. Builders. Edward Dipalma started his company 47 years ago.Thanks to his father’s support, Dipalma is able to get time off to chase his Elite Series dream.
“My dad has always taught me to work hard and if you want something to go get it,” Dipalma said.
Dipalma added that his girlfriend, Kellye DuVilla, has also been an important part of his fishing success.
“She’s always pushing me and believing in me no matter what comes at me,” Dipalma said.
At age 33 Dipalma is in his fishing prime. If ever he were to find success on the Elite Series trail, the time is now.
Dipalma’s main sponsor is Susquehanna Fishing Tackle. His other sponsors include Phoenix Boats, HI-SEAS Fishing Line, Riot Baits, Aftco Clothing, South Jersey Boat Works, 13 Fishing, Eastlyn Golf Course and Vineland Auto Electric.
