FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2008
CLARKVILLE, Va. – Greg Alexander visited John H. Kerr Lake a month before the BASS Federation Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional, and put together a solid pattern. By the time official practice began, however, Alexander knew he would have to throw that out and start all over.
“When I was here a month ago, I was catching 15 pounds,” the Delaware Federation Nation member said. “I was fishing the main run up the river, but with (Tropical Storm Hannah), I knew that was trash.”
Running down river to find cleaner water, Alexander was able to post a three-day total of 27 pounds, 11 ounces to hold off Edward Forre of Concord, Va., and win the overall divisional title. With the victory, Alexander punched his ticket to the BASS Federation Nation Championship on Nov. 6-8 on Kansas’ Milford Lake.
His key was working isolated boat docks and laydowns with a ½-ounce green-pumpkin Hunter Creek Baits Cheeseburger Jig rigged on 20-pound Berkley Trilene Big Game and tipped with a green-pumpkin Zoom Super Chunk.
“They were very shallow,” Alexander said. “The fish were on the last (dock) float next to the bank, and when they were on wood they were right up on the bank.”
After the first day, Alexander put one of only six limits on the scale. That 9-1 limit put him in fifth place, and he said he thought he had stumbled onto a hot area.
“I saw some fish following my jig up,” he said. “And we saw some 3- to 4-pounders in some shallow grass.”
The next day, he started there and struck out. At 10 a.m., Alexander finally popped his first bass.
“That was my first bite,” he said. “It was a 5 ½-pounder, so it really settled me down.”
He could swing only one more keeper over the gunnel before it was time to head to the landing, but that 6 pounds, 13 ounces allowed Alexander to move up one spot.
To seal the victory, Alexander changed areas completely, staying in Occoneechee Creek, which is located adjacent to the landing.
“I had been looking at it all week, and saw that the water didn’t get muddy (after the tropical storm),” he said. “I went right in there and caught every one of my fish there today.”
His five-fish limit of 11-13 brought his total up to 27 pounds, 11 ounces, edging out second-day leader Fore by only 9 ounces.
While finding waters holding fish was important, Alexander said the bass were far from concentrated.
“I told my other team members before this started that whoever throws to the most targets is going to win,” he explained.
Fore, Virginia’s top finisher, said he had a strategy to balance his run for the team victory with his desire to overcome the efforts of other teams.
“I went to my strong suit, and figured I could weigh in 9 to 11 pounds a day,” Fore said. “That way, I felt like I’m in position to win the team but I’m still putting fish in the boat to help my team.
Joining Alexander and Flore at the championship will be the other four state-team winners: Jerry Sersen of Maryland, New Jersey’s Chris Smith, Pennsylvania’s Ken Baumgardner, and David Halcomb of West Virginia.
Those anglers will be vying for one Mid-Atlantic Division berth into the Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 on the Red River and Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
In addition to the overall and state competitions, the six competing state chapters also were accumulating team totals. At stake was a fully rigged boat package valued at $30,000.
Virginia easily took the top position, racking up 198 pounds, 4 ounces to outdistance the closest competitor of Pennsylvania by almost 25 pounds.
About BASS
For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.
The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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Media contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
2008 BASS Federation Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional Standings
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Greg Alexander Hebron, Md. (DE) 12 27-11
2. Edward Fore Concord, Va. (VA) 14 27-02
3. Ivan Morris Virginia Beach, Va. (VA) 14 26-14
4. Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, Pa. (PA) 11 25-01
5. Mark Melega Rice Landing, Pa. (PA) 11 24-15
6. Mike Shumanis Bethlehem, Pa. (PA) 12 23-15
7. Jeff Salmon Chester, Va. (VA) 10 22-03
8. Chris Smith Absecon, N.J. (NJ) 11 20-01
9. Mark Hogan Milford, Del. (DE) 7 19-09
10. Timothy Roach Shamong, N.J. (NJ) 9 17-13
11. Jimmy Hale Martinsville, Va. (VA) 10 17-12
12. David Halcomb Elkview, W.Va. (WV) 8 17-11
13. John Carpenter Marmora, N.J. (NJ) 8 17-09
14. Steve Roberts Lynchburg, Va. (VA) 6 17-05
15. Wayne Burchett Pulaski, Va. (VA) 5 15-12
16. Aaron Kibler Milford, Del. (DE) 8 15-10
17. Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, N.J. (NJ) 5 15-05 $1,000.00
18. Greg Hylton Martinsville, Va. (VA) 8 15-01
19. Greg Downey Elkview, W.Va. (WV) 6 14-11
20. Ken Lackey Ridgeway, Va. (VA) 8 14-04
21. Michael Gurreri York, Pa. (PA) 8 14-02
21. Les Ore Chesapeake, Va. (VA) 7 14-02
23. Mike Moran Sutersville, Pa. (PA) 7 13-08
24. Jerry SERSEN Joppa, Md. (MD) 8 13-07
25. Mike Goff Clendenin, W.Va. (WV) 6 13-06
26. Kedrick Sumner Galax, Va. (VA) 7 12-15
27. Ric May California, Maine (MD) 6 12-12
27. Steven Redden Middletown, Del. (DE) 4 12-12
29. Harold Owens Elizabeth, W.Va. (WV) 6 12-05
30. Jerod Harman Buckhannon, W.Va. (WV) 6 12-02
31. Eric Woodward Hammonton, N.J. (NJ) 6 11-03
32. Tim Stump Dover, Del. (DE) 6 10-06
33. Mark Ochkie California, Pa. (WV) 6 10-05
34. Jr Robertson Darlington, Md. (MD) 6 10-04
34. David Hankins Pasadena, Md. (MD) 5 10-04
36. Alan Fluharty Fairmont, W.Va. (WV) 6 10-03
36. Craig Townsend Westampton, N.J. (NJ) 5 10-03
38. Darin Hoover Pasadena, Md. (MD) 5 9-10
38. Erling Bruun Virginia Beach, Va. (VA) 4 9-10
40. Steven Lapp Joppa, Md. (MD) 4 9-09
41. John Milchanoski Sewell, N.J. (NJ) 5 9-06
41. Jim Short Berlin, Md. (DE) 5 9-06
43. Michael Keller Dunbar, W.Va. (WV) 3 8-05
44. Denny Breth Cheswick, Pa. (PA) 4 7-11
45. John Erickson Cedar Brook, N.J. (NJ) 2 7-09
46. Michael Payne Hedgesville, W.Va. (MD) 4 7-07
47. Richard Mills Felton, Del. (DE) 4 7-05
48. J R Knight Sharpsburg, Md. (MD) 4 7-04
49. Darrell Gesford Hummelstown, Pa. (PA) 3 7-02
50. Shelton Walters Felton, Del. (DE) 4 7-00
50. Ted Morris Woolwich Tep, N.J. (NJ) 3 7-00
52. Steven Deridder Martinsburg, W.Va. (MD) 4 6-15
53. Chris Null Charleston, W.Va. (WV) 4 6-12
54. John Milchanoski III Sewell, N.J. (NJ) 3 6-11
55. Duane Johnson Waynesburg, Pa. (PA) 4 6-10
56. Deron Eck Kittanning, Pa. (PA) 3 6-02
57. Duane Essick Townsend, Del. (DE) 4 6-01
58. Robert Stough Red Lion, Pa. (PA) 2 5-14
59. Brandon Pyles Frederick, Md. (MD) 3 5-11
59. Ken Bertles Pennsville, N.J. (NJ) 1 5-11
61. Chris Napier Virginia Beach, Va. (VA) 3 5-04
61. Brett Tryon Greensburg, Pa. (PA) 3 5-04
63. Robert Winward Wilmington, Del. (DE) 2 5-02
64. Tim Mitchem Morgantown, W.Va. (WV) 3 4-13
65. Jerry Salisbury Washington, Pa. (WV) 2 3-15
66. Greg Russell Laurel, Md. (MD) 2 3-11
67. Richard Welden Sykesville, Md. (MD) 2 3-04
68. Merrill Showers New Columbia, Pa. (PA) 2 3-02
69. Ed Strawn Washington, Pa. (WV) 1 2-04
70. Al Kolasa Blairstown, N.J. (NJ) 1 2-03
71. Frank Daniels Dover, Del. (DE) 0 0-00
71. David Perrego Dover, Del. (DE) 0 0-00
71. William Pioch Beckley, W.Va. (WV) 0 0-00
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Purolator Big Bass of Tournament
Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, N.J. (NJ) 6-09 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 134 259-13
2 6 128 282-13
3 5 129 267-06
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17 391 810-00
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
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State Lbs-Oz
1 VIRGINIA 198-04
2 PENNSYLVANIA 143-06
3 NEW JERSEY 130-10
4 DELAWARE 120-14
5 WEST VIRGINIA 116-12
6 MARYLAND 100-02
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
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VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Edward Fore Concord, Va. 14 27-02
2 Ivan Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 14 26-14
3 Jeff Salmon Chester, Va. 10 22-03
4 Jimmy Hale Martinsville, Va. 10 17-12
5 Steve Roberts Lynchburg, Va. 6 17-05
6 Wayne Burchett Pulaski, Va. 5 15-12
7 Greg Hylton Martinsville, Va. 8 15-01
8 Ken Lackey Ridgeway, Va. 8 14-04
9 Les Ore Chesapeake, Va. 7 14-02
10 Kedrick Sumner Galax, Va. 7 12-15
11 Erling Bruun Virginia Beach, Va. 4 9-10
12 Chris Napier Virginia Beach, Va. 3 5-04
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, Pa. 11 25-01
2 Mark Melega Rice Landing, Pa. 11 24-15
3 Mike Shumanis Bethlehem, Pa. 12 23-15
4 Michael Gurreri York, Pa. 8 14-02
5 Mike Moran Sutersville, Pa. 7 13-08
6 Denny Breth Cheswick, Pa. 4 7-11
7 Darrell Gesford Hummelstown, Pa. 3 7-02
8 Duane Johnson Waynesburg, Pa. 4 6-10
9 Deron Eck Kittanning, Pa. 3 6-02
10 Robert Stough Red Lion, Pa. 2 5-14
11 Brett Tryon Greensburg, Pa. 3 5-04
12 Merrill Showers New Columbia, Pa. 2 3-02
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Chris Smith Absecon, N.J. 11 20-01
2 Timothy Roach Shamong, N.J. 9 17-13
3 John Carpenter Marmora, N.J. 8 17-09
4 Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, N.J. 5 15-05 $1,000.00
5 Eric Woodward Hammonton, N.J. 6 11-03
6 Craig Townsend Westampton, N.J. 5 10-03
7 John Milchanoski Sewell, N.J. 5 9-06
8 John Erickson Cedar Brook, N.J. 2 7-09
9 Ted Morris Woolwich Tep, N.J. 3 7-00
10 John Milchanoski III Sewell, N.J. 3 6-11
11 Ken Bertles Pennsville, N.J. 1 5-11
12 Al Kolasa Blairstown, N.J. 1 2-03
DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Alexander Hebron, Md. 12 27-11
2 Mark Hogan Milford, Del. 7 19-09
3 Aaron Kibler Milford, Del. 8 15-10
4 Steven Redden Middletown, Del. 4 12-12
5 Tim Stump Dover, Del. 6 10-06
6 Jim Short Berlin, Md. 5 9-06
7 Richard Mills Felton, Del. 4 7-05
8 Shelton Walters Felton, Del. 4 7-00
9 Duane Essick Townsend, Del. 4 6-01
10 Robert Winward Wilmington, Del. 2 5-02
11 Frank Daniels Dover, Del. 0 0-00
11 David Perrego Dover, Del. 0 0-00
WEST VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Halcomb Elkview, W.Va. 8 17-11
2 Greg Downey Elkview, W.Va. 6 14-11
3 Mike Goff Clendenin, W.Va. 6 13-06
4 Harold Owens Elizabeth, W.Va. 6 12-05
5 Jerod Harman Buckhannon, W.Va. 6 12-02
6 Mark Ochkie California, Pa. 6 10-05
7 Alan Fluharty Fairmont, W.Va. 6 10-03
8 Michael Keller Dunbar, W.Va. 3 8-05
9 Chris Null Charleston, W.Va. 4 6-12
10 Tim Mitchem Morgantown, W.Va. 3 4-13
11 Jerry Salisbury Washington, Pa. 2 3-15
12 Ed Strawn Washington, Pa. 1 2-04
13 William Pioch Beckley, W.Va. 0 0-00
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jerry SERSEN Joppa, Md. 8 13-07
2 Ric May California, Maine 6 12-12
3 Jr Robertson Darlington, Md. 6 10-04
3 David Hankins Pasadena, Md. 5 10-04
5 Darin Hoover Pasadena, Md. 5 9-10
6 Steven Lapp Joppa, Md. 4 9-09
7 Michael Payne Hedgesville, W.Va. 4 7-07
8 J R Knight Sharpsburg, Md. 4 7-04
9 Steven Deridder Martinsburg, W.Va. 4 6-15
10 Brandon Pyles Frederick, Md. 3 5-11
11 Greg Russell Laurel, Md. 2 3-11
12 Richard Welden Sykesville, Md. 2 3-04
