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Gray Leads On Tough Day 2 On Buggs Island
CLARKSVILLE, Va. — Hallucinations are not uncommon for sweltering hot conditions like those plaguing Day 2 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional on Buggs Island/Kerr Reservoir. However, when Daniel Gray starting seeing double, it was a good thing — good, as in a pair of 4-pound, 1-ounce bass that pushed him into first place with a two-day total of 18-6.
The angler from Butler, Pa., caught only those two fish today, but with temperatures reaching 95 degrees and productivity down across the board, his 8-2 weight was actually among the day’s better sacks.
“It was tough today,” Gray said. “Yesterday, I had a limit by 11 a.m. Today, I caught these fish in the last hour. I fished yesterday’s pattern today and it was totally different.
“I was running around, trying to figure it out all day. I pulled into this one spot, got a bite and lost a 2 1/2-pounder. On the next cast, I caught one of my fish and about 15 minutes later, I caught the other one.
Gray, a member of Pennsylvania’s Extreme Anglers bass club, said he had caught a 5-pounder in today’s area during practice, so he was confident that it held big fish. Targeting breaks, Gray positioned his boat in 20 feet, cast up to 2 feet and slowly worked his bait down the contour.
“Yesterday, I was fishing some wood cover with heavy tackle; today, I had to go finesse,” Gray said. “I fished a little deeper on specific stuff I found. I tried to find out what these fish want and I think I have a good idea now.”
Overall, the Day 2 weights were significantly lower than Day 1. The average fish was a little more than 1.8 pounds. The Top 10 had 14 pounds or more, but the vast majority of competitors brought in 5 to 10 pounds for their total weight. Only four anglers boasted limits.
Tomorrow’s forecast shows partly cloudy conditions with possible afternoon thunderstorms for Day 2. The expected cloud cover will hold the air temperatures to the mid-80s.
“Today, we had clear, blue skies and the generators at the dam weren’t running at all, and that makes the water start backing up,” said Mike Bryant, Virginia B.A.S.S. Nation president. “When the water backs up, it makes for a very tough bite because you have to go find the fish. On this lake, they move out deeper.”
Gray, who had the biggest bass of Day 2, is tops on the Pennsylvania team, which sits four spots behind first-place Virginia, the host state. The Virginia B.A.S.S. Nation state team has one angler in the Top 10 (Day 1 leader John Conway) and a 1-pound, 8-ounce lead for the state competition. Virginia has 119 pounds, 15 ounces, followed by Delaware with 118-7 and New Jersey with 113-14.
If Gray maintains his lead for Pennsylvania, he’ll be invited to the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 6-8, on Louisiana’s Ouachita River. Other state leaders as of Day 2 are Greg Alexander, Delaware; Joe Devoe, Maryland; Michael Sentore, New Jersey; John Conway, Virginia; and Randy Huffman, West Virginia.
Ronald Littleton’s 5-pound, 1-ounce bass is currently in the lead for Carhartt Big Bass honors, a $500 prize awarded to the angler who catches the biggest bass of the tournament. Gray won the $250 Livingston Lures Leader award, which goes to the Day 2 leader.
Competition resumes Friday at 5:45 a.m. ET for the launch at Occoneechee State Park. The weigh-in will be broadcast live at 2 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com.
2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Old Milwaukee
2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Boat US, Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
2014 BASS Nation MidAtlantic Divisional 6/25-6/27
Kerr Rervoir, Buggs Island VA.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Daniel Gray Butler, PA (PA) 7 18-06 0
2. Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ (NJ 7 17-03 0
3. Mike Moran Ruffsdale, PA (PA) 9 16-14 0
4. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV (WV) 7 15-08 0
5. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD (DE) 9 15-08 0
6. John Conway Henrico, VA (VA) 7 15-04 0
7. Brian La Clair Denton, MD (DE) 7 15-04 0
8. Keith Cowan Mt Ephraim, NJ (NJ) 7 14-14 0
9. Jerrod Lloyd Millville, NJ (NJ) 8 14-05 0
10. Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD (MD) 7 14-01 0
11. John Mcgraw Bordertown, NJ (NJ) 6 13-09 0
12. Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE (DE) 7 13-05 0
13. Ronald Littleton Seaford, DE (DE) 6 13-03 0
14. James Dingess Barboursville, WV (WV) 7 13-02 0
15. Bobby Smith Laurel, DE (DE) 7 12-13 0
16. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD (MD) 6 12-10 0
17. Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ (NJ) 6 11-12 0
18. Roger Castillo Goode, VA (VA) 6 11-10 0
19. VA HS- Strayer/ Graves Madison, VA (VA) 5 11-09 0
20. Mark Hogan Milford, DE (DE) 6 11-05 0
21. Rodney Rice Narrows, VA (VA) 6 11-03 0
22. Tim Stump Dover, DE (DE) 5 11-01 0
23. Greg Hylton Martinsville, VA (VA) 5 10-15 0
24. Cavin Young Prince George, VA (VA) 5 10-13 0
25. Michael Burchett Pulaski, VA (VA) 6 10-12 0
26. Mark Mounts Washington, PA (PA) 6 10-09 0
27. Damien McMahon Pilot, VA (VA) 6 09-05 0
28. Paul Gietka Abingdon, MD (MD) 5 09-03 0
29. Russell Awad Brooklyn, NY (NJ) 4 09-00 0
30. Eddie McNeil Poca, WV (WV) 5 08-15 0
31. David Price New Windsor, MD (MD) 5 08-12 0
32. Darren Brooks Wenonah, NJ (NJ) 4 08-10 0
33. James Goins Baltimore, MD (MD) 5 08-08 0
34. William Goots Reidsville, NC (VA) 3 08-03 0
35. Jerry Burkhart Belpre, OH (WV) 5 07-15 0
35. Shelton Walters Felton, DE (DE) 5 07-15 0
37. Douglas Zittle Thurmont, MD (MD) 4 07-06 0
38. Kenneth Hackworth Charleston, WV (WV) 3 07-02 0
39. Richard Lane Pittsburgh, PA (PA) 3 07-01 0
40. Bob Austin Marydel, DE (DE) 4 07-00 0
41. Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD (MD) 3 07-00 0
42. William Hubbard Ridgeway, VA (VA) 4 06-04 0
43. Tyler Trent Nathalie, VA (VA) 3 06-04 0
44. Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, PA (PA) 4 06-04 0
45. Cliff Humpreys Philadelphia, PA (NJ) 3 06-03 0
46. Jim Fields Camden, DE (DE) 3 06-01 0
47. Randy Baran Old Bridge, NJ (NJ) 3 05-11 0
48. Jeff Hall Butler, PA (PA) 3 05-06 0
49. Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD (MD) 3 05-05 0
50. William Kennedy Mineral Wells, WV (WV) 3 05-01 0
51. Jon Blaine Frederick, MD (MD) 3 05-00 0
52. Dave Menard Henrico, VA (VA) 2 04-15 0
53. Andrew Sams Easton, MD (MD) 3 04-13 0
54. Brian Keister Atco, NJ (NJ) 3 04-12 0
55. Al Fiorille Mt Airy, MD (MD) 3 04-10 0
56. Mark Westrick Hastings, PA (PA) 2 04-08 0
57. Richard Martin Jr Sparrows Point, MD (MD) 2 04-08 0
58. Eric Bennet Forked River, NJ (NJ) 2 04-04 0
59. Dion Bright Fairmont, WV (WV) 2 03-15 0
60. PA HS-Gower/ Mertz Lewisburg, PA (PA) 1 03-12 0
61. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ (NJ) 2 03-11 0
62. Tommy Ford Leslie, WV (WV) 2 03-08 0
63. Matt Becker Finleyville, PA (PA) 2 03-07 0
64. Tony Keller Charleston, WV (WV) 2 03-00 0
65. Christopher Napier Virginia Beach, VA (VA) 2 02-14 0
66. Mike Morris Dover, DE (DE) 2 02-04 0
67. Joshua Cross Elizabeth, WV (WV) 1 02-03 0
68. MD HS-Wannall/ Stewart La Plata, MD (MD) 1 01-11 0
69. Bart Keck Finleyville, PA (PA) 1 01-10 0
70. Todd Caddy Carnegie, PA (PA) 5 01-08 0
71. DE HS- McKee/ Draper Milford, DE (DE) 1 01-08 0
72. Don Denault Jr Delmar, MD (DE) 1 01-04 0
72. Corey Gue Kenova, WV (WV) 1 01-04 0
74. Ryan Buttermore Leetsdale, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
74. Jerry Meadows Uniontown, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
74. WV HS-Goff/ Sigmon Clendenin, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
74. NJ HS-Curran/ Stevenson Westampton, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
74. Bradley West Vincent, OH (WV) 0 00-00 0
———————————————————————–
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 8 167 339-01
2 4 142 257-08
———————————-
12 309 596-09
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
———————————-
State Lbs-Oz
1 VIRGINIA 119-15
2 DELAWARE 118-07
3 NEW JERSEY 113-14
4 MARYLAND 93-07
5 PENNSYLVANIA 79-05
6 WEST VIRGINIA 71-09
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
———————————————————————–
DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 9 15-08 0
2 Brian La Clair Denton, MD 7 15-04 0
3 Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE 7 13-05 0
4 Ronald Littleton Seaford, DE 6 13-03 0
5 Bobby Smith Laurel, DE 7 12-13 0
6 Mark Hogan Milford, DE 6 11-05 0
7 Tim Stump Dover, DE 5 11-01 0
8 Shelton Walters Felton, DE 5 07-15 0
9 Bob Austin Marydel, DE 4 07-00 0
10 Jim Fields Camden, DE 3 06-01 0
11 Mike Morris Dover, DE 2 02-04 0
12 DE HS- McKee/ Draper Milford, DE 1 01-08 0
13 Don Denault Jr Delmar, MD 1 01-04 0
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD 7 14-01 0
2 Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 6 12-10 0
3 Paul Gietka Abingdon, MD 5 09-03 0
4 David Price New Windsor, MD 5 08-12 0
5 James Goins Baltimore, MD 5 08-08 0
6 Douglas Zittle Thurmont, MD 4 07-06 0
7 Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD 3 07-00 0
8 Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD 3 05-05 0
9 Jon Blaine Frederick, MD 3 05-00 0
10 Andrew Sams Easton, MD 3 04-13 0
11 Al Fiorille Mt Airy, MD 3 04-10 0
12 Richard Martin Jr Sparrows Point, MD 2 04-08 0
13 MD HS-Wannall/ Stewart La Plata, MD 1 01-11 0
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ 7 17-03 0
2 Keith Cowan Mt Ephraim, NJ 7 14-14 0
3 Jerrod Lloyd Millville, NJ 8 14-05 0
4 John Mcgraw Bordertown, NJ 6 13-09 0
5 Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ 6 11-12 0
6 Russell Awad Brooklyn, NY 4 09-00 0
7 Darren Brooks Wenonah, NJ 4 08-10 0
8 Cliff Humpreys Philadelphia, PA 3 06-03 0
9 Randy Baran Old Bridge, NJ 3 05-11 0
10 Brian Keister Atco, NJ 3 04-12 0
11 Eric Bennet Forked River, NJ 2 04-04 0
12 Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 2 03-11 0
13 NJ HS-Curran/ Stevenson Westampton, NJ 0 00-00 0
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Daniel Gray Butler, PA 7 18-06 0
2 Mike Moran Ruffsdale, PA 9 16-14 0
3 Mark Mounts Washington, PA 6 10-09 0
4 Richard Lane Pittsburgh, PA 3 07-01 0
5 Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, PA 4 06-04 0
6 Jeff Hall Butler, PA 3 05-06 0
7 Mark Westrick Hastings, PA 2 04-08 0
8 PA HS-Gower/ Mertz Lewisburg, PA 1 03-12 0
9 Matt Becker Finleyville, PA 2 03-07 0
10 Bart Keck Finleyville, PA 1 01-10 0
11 Todd Caddy Carnegie, PA 5 01-08 0
12 Ryan Buttermore Leetsdale, PA 0 00-00 0
12 Jerry Meadows Uniontown, PA 0 00-00 0
VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Conway Henrico, VA 7 15-04 0
2 Roger Castillo Goode, VA 6 11-10 0
3 VA HS- Strayer/ Graves Madison, VA 5 11-09 0
4 Rodney Rice Narrows, VA 6 11-03 0
5 Greg Hylton Martinsville, VA 5 10-15 0
6 Cavin Young Prince George, VA 5 10-13 0
7 Michael Burchett Pulaski, VA 6 10-12 0
8 Damien McMahon Pilot, VA 6 09-05 0
9 William Goots Reidsville, NC 3 08-03 0
10 William Hubbard Ridgeway, VA 4 06-04 0
11 Tyler Trent Nathalie, VA 3 06-04 0
12 Dave Menard Henrico, VA 2 04-15 0
13 Christopher Napier Virginia Beach, VA 2 02-14 0
WEST VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 7 15-08 0
2 James Dingess Barboursville, WV 7 13-02 0
3 Eddie McNeil Poca, WV 5 08-15 0
4 Jerry Burkhart Belpre, OH 5 07-15 0
5 Kenneth Hackworth Charleston, WV 3 07-02 0
6 William Kennedy Mineral Wells, WV 3 05-01 0
7 Dion Bright Fairmont, WV 2 03-15 0
8 Tommy Ford Leslie, WV 2 03-08 0
9 Tony Keller Charleston, WV 2 03-00 0
10 Joshua Cross Elizabeth, WV 1 02-03 0
11 Corey Gue Kenova, WV 1 01-04 0
12 WV HS-Goff/ Sigmon Clendenin, WV 0 00-00 0
12 Bradley West Vincent, OH 0 00-00 0
Ride Along With Carl
Ride along with Carl Jocumsen in the first Northern Bassmaster Open of 2014 on Lake Douglas. Jocumsen is on a quest to make the Bassmaster Elite Series! We feel pretty sure he will!
Find out more about Carl on his web site and on his Facebook page.
LC RTO 3.5XD & Gunfish 135
Lucky Craft pro Brent Ehrler talks about approaches ledge fishing fishing and his lures of choice.
Another Bass Kandi Discount Day
Here is your chance to purchase Bass Kandi Bait’s Kandi Minnow for only $1.49, normally $4.19. This is a one-day only sale and no other coupon codes can be used.
If you’ve never tried Bass Kandi Baits, here is your chance at a very low price. Go to www.basskandi.com to pick your color and place your order. The sale is for one day only or while supplies last.
At 4.75″ in length and a little thinner profile, a vertical tail and a scale like pattern, the Bass Kandi, Kandi Minnow has lots of action. It’s great for a Carolina rig, split shot, Texas rig, dropshot or just plain weightless. The softness and saltiness makes this bait very appealing to any size bass and ideal for any type of fresh water system. It comes 10 per pack.
Bass Kandi Baits is Louisiana’s best-kept secret. They have over 100 tournament wins. These baits are some of the best on the market and word is spreading fast. They are made right here in the U.S.A. and are some of the softest plastics available but at affordable prices.
With this one-day sale they are even more affordable. Here is your chance to give them a try. Offer is only good Thursday May June 26th, 2014 from 7:00am to 7:00 am Friday June 27th on www.basskandi.com.
G-Force™ Cull System from T-H Marine
In tournament fishing, its imperative to weigh in your best five, as in some cases the tournament can be won by mere ounces. Finding a way to determine your heaviest fish while handling the fish as little as possible to prevent mortality can be a daunting task, particularly when you land that sixth bass that looks an awful lot like two of the fish in your live well.
Enter the G-Force™ Cull System from T-H Marine, the only system that will allow you to cull fish while handling them only once, allowing the tournament angler to accurately determine which fish to cull while minimizing stress to the fish. The unique design allows you to connect the cull float cord directly to the balance beam without re-hooking the fish.
During the FLW Rayovac Event on the Potomac River, I had the opportunity to cull several times. Unfortunately for my tournament results, I found a school of 1.5-2 pound bass holding in a particular grass bed that just days before, in practice, held a school of 2.5-3 pound fish. The G-Force™ Cull System made culling the proper fish an easy task – no weighing, no holding up to “eyeball” for comparison – all I had to do was attach the cull buoy, and then hang the two fish in question on the aluminum cull beam by the loop above the cull buoy. After that initial attachment of the cull buoy and cord to the fish’s lower jaw, I never had to handle the fish again. I also never had to throw a fish on a scale; I simply had to remember which color buoy was the smallest fish.
As more and more tournaments are being held on our major bodies of water, it becomes OUR responsibility to ensure that the resource we love is conserved and that the bass we catch are returned to the fishery for future generations to enjoy. Over handling of bass dramatically increases the mortality rate of tournament fish, and the G-Force™ Cull System is the best way I have found to maximize my efficiency on the water while simultaneously minimizing stress and damage to the fish. Go to www.thmarine.com today to order yours.
By Chris Murphy
Find out more about Chris on his web site and follow him on Facebook.