CLARKSVILLE, Va. — Keeping his cool in hot conditions was the key for Virginia angler John Conway, who leads the first day of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional on Kerr Lake/Buggs Island Reservoir with a five-bass limit that weighed 11 pounds, 13 ounces.
“I used a mix of reaction baits and slower presentations today,” Conway said. “I started out with moving baits in the morning and then went to flipping in the afternoon. In this hot weather, they’d tuck up under the shade when the sun got up.”
With overcast skies greeting anglers at the morning takeoff, Conway said he threw a buzzbait during the early morning hours. He then transitioned to flipping jigs and big Texas rigged worms later in the day.
Deeper docks in 10 to 12 feet of water were his main flipping targets. No one spot produced particularly well, so Conway had to hit approximately 25 locations.
“It was just a whole lot of moving and a whole lot of casting,” he said.
Residing in Henrico, Va., Conway is a member of the Big M Bassmasters Club. He holds a 13-ounce lead over second-place competitor Michael Sentore, of Gloucester City, N.J., who caught four bass for 11 pounds.
Overall, the Day 1 weights were light. The average fish was a little more than 2 pounds. The Top 10 had 8 pounds or more, but the vast majority of competitors brought in 3 to 6 pounds for their total weight. Only eight anglers boasted limits.
Tomorrow’s forecast shows more sunny conditions for Day 2. Mike Bryant, president of the Virginia B.A.S.S. Nation, said he thought the weights were a little lower than anticipated. Many of his team members reported that the bass were noncommittal, and several anglers said they lost fish that hit hard but avoided solid hookups.
“This lake changes every day, so tomorrow we may see everybody bring in limits,” Bryant said.
Conway not only leads the overall tournament, he also is tops on the Virginia team, which is in second place behind leader Delaware. The Delaware B.A.S.S. Nation state team has one angler in the Top 10 and a 13-pound, 3-ounce lead for the state competition. Delaware has 74 pounds, 1 ounce, followed by Virginia, the host state, with 60-14, and New Jersey with 57-13.
If Conway maintains his lead for Virginia, 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 1 are Jason Vaughn, Delaware; Joe Devoe, Maryland; Michael Sentore, New Jersey; Mike Moran, Pennsylvania; 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. The competitor who has the overall tournament lead Thursday will win the $250 Livingston Lures Leader award, which goes to the Day 2 leader.
Competition continues Thursday and Friday at 5:45 a.m. ET for the launch at Occoneechee State Park. The weigh-in will take place at the same location both days at 2 p.m. ET. Check for updates throughout the day 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 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. John Conway Henrico, VA (VA) 5 11-13 0
2. Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ (NJ 4 11-00 0
3. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV (WV) 4 10-12 0
4. John Mcgraw Bordertown, NJ (NJ) 5 10-09 0
5. Mike Moran Ruffsdale, PA (PA) 5 10-07 0
6. Daniel Gray Butler, PA (PA) 5 10-04 0
7. James Dingess Barboursville, WV (WV) 5 09-10 0
8. Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE (DE) 5 09-04 0
9. Mark Mounts Washington, PA (PA) 5 09-02 0
10. Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD (MD) 4 08-14 0
11. Ronald Littleton Seaford, DE (DE) 3 08-07 0
12. Rodney Rice Narrows, VA (VA) 4 07-14 0
13. Damien McMahon Pilot, VA (VA) 5 07-13 0
14. Bobby Smith Laurel, DE (DE) 4 07-13 0
15. Brian La Clair Denton, MD (DE) 3 07-13 0
15. Tim Stump Dover, DE (DE) 3 07-13 0
17. Cavin Young Prince George, VA (VA) 3 07-10 0
18. Paul Gietka Abingdon, MD (MD) 4 07-08 0
19. David Price New Windsor, MD (MD) 4 07-07 0
20. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD (MD) 3 07-06 0
21. Mark Hogan Milford, DE (DE) 4 07-05 0
22. Michael Burchett Pulaski, VA (VA) 4 07-03 0
23. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD (DE) 4 06-07 0
24. Shelton Walters Felton, DE (DE) 4 06-04 0
25. Jerrod Lloyd Millville, NJ (NJ) 3 05-15 0
26. Kenneth Hackworth Charleston, WV (WV) 2 05-15 0
27. Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ (NJ) 3 05-13 0
28. Bob Austin Marydel, DE (DE) 3 05-12 0
28. Douglas Zittle Thurmont, MD (MD) 3 05-12 0
30. Richard Lane Pittsburgh, PA (PA) 2 05-12 0
31. Roger Castillo Goode, VA (VA) 3 05-05 0
32. Andrew Sams Easton, MD (MD) 3 04-13 0
33. Eddie McNeil Poca, WV (WV) 3 04-09 0
34. James Goins Baltimore, MD (MD) 3 04-07 0
35. Russell Awad Brooklyn, NY (NJ) 2 04-05 0
35. Cliff Humpreys Philadelphia, PA (NJ) 2 04-05 0
37. Eric Bennet Forked River, NJ (NJ) 2 04-04 0
38. Tyler Trent Nathalie, VA (VA) 2 04-02 0
39. Dion Bright Fairmont, WV (WV) 2 03-15 0
40. William Goots Reidsville, NC (VA) 1 03-15 0
41. Jim Fields Camden, DE (DE) 2 03-11 0
41. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ (NJ) 2 03-11 0
43. Greg Hylton Martinsville, VA (VA) 1 03-10 0
44. Matt Becker Finleyville, PA (PA) 2 03-07 0
44. Keith Cowan Mt Ephraim, NJ (NJ) 2 03-07 0
44. Jeff Hall Butler, PA (PA) 2 03-07 0
47. Mark Westrick Hastings, PA (PA) 1 03-04 0
48. Randy Baran Old Bridge, NJ (NJ) 2 03-00 0
49. Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, PA (PA) 2 02-15 0
50. Richard Martin Jr Sparrows Point, MD (MD) 1 02-10 0
51. William Kennedy Mineral Wells, WV (WV) 1 02-05 0
52. Mike Morris Dover, DE (DE) 1 02-04 0
53. Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD (MD) 1 02-03 0
54. Al Fiorille Mt Airy, MD (MD) 1 01-12 0
55. Jerry Burkhart Belpre, OH (WV) 1 01-11 0
56. Tommy Ford Leslie, WV (WV) 1 01-10 0
56. Bart Keck Finleyville, PA (PA) 1 01-10 0
58. William Hubbard Ridgeway, VA (VA) 1 01-09 0
59. Todd Caddy Carnegie, PA (PA) 1 01-08 0
59. Brian Keister Atco, NJ (NJ) 1 01-08 0
61. Tony Keller Charleston, WV (WV) 1 01-06 0
62. Don Denault Jr Delmar, MD (DE) 1 01-04 0
63. Jon Blaine Frederick, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
63. Darren Brooks Wenonah, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
63. Ryan Buttermore Leetsdale, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
63. Joshua Cross Elizabeth, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
63. DE HS- McKee/ Draper Milford, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
63. VA HS- Strayer/ Graves Madison, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
63. Corey Gue Kenova, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
63. Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
63. Jerry Meadows Uniontown, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
63. Dave Menard Henrico, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
63. PA HS-Gower/ Mertz Lewisburg, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
63. Christopher Napier Virginia Beach, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
63. WV HS-Goff/ Sigmon Clendenin, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
63. NJ HS-Curran/ Stevenson Westampton, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
63. MD HS-Wannall/ Stewart La Plata, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
63. Bradley West Vincent, OH (WV) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 8 167 339-01
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8 167 339-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
———————————-
State Lbs-Oz
1 DELAWARE 74-01
2 VIRGINIA 60-14
3 NEW JERSEY 57-13
4 MARYLAND 52-12
5 PENNSYLVANIA 51-12
6 WEST VIRGINIA 41-13
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
———————————————————————–
DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE 5 09-04 0
2 Ronald Littleton Seaford, DE 3 08-07 0
3 Bobby Smith Laurel, DE 4 07-13 0
4 Brian La Clair Denton, MD 3 07-13 0
4 Tim Stump Dover, DE 3 07-13 0
6 Mark Hogan Milford, DE 4 07-05 0
7 Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 4 06-07 0
8 Shelton Walters Felton, DE 4 06-04 0
9 Bob Austin Marydel, DE 3 05-12 0
10 Jim Fields Camden, DE 2 03-11 0
11 Mike Morris Dover, DE 1 02-04 0
12 Don Denault Jr Delmar, MD 1 01-04 0
13 DE HS- McKee/ Draper Milford, DE 0 00-00 0
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD 4 08-14 0
2 Paul Gietka Abingdon, MD 4 07-08 0
3 David Price New Windsor, MD 4 07-07 0
4 Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 3 07-06 0
5 Douglas Zittle Thurmont, MD 3 05-12 0
6 Andrew Sams Easton, MD 3 04-13 0
7 James Goins Baltimore, MD 3 04-07 0
8 Richard Martin Jr Sparrows Point, MD 1 02-10 0
9 Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD 1 02-03 0
10 Al Fiorille Mt Airy, MD 1 01-12 0
11 Jon Blaine Frederick, MD 0 00-00 0
11 Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD 0 00-00 0
11 MD HS-Wannall/ Stewart La Plata, MD 0 00-00 0
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ 4 11-00 0
2 John Mcgraw Bordertown, NJ 5 10-09 0
3 Jerrod Lloyd Millville, NJ 3 05-15 0
4 Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ 3 05-13 0
5 Russell Awad Brooklyn, NY 2 04-05 0
5 Cliff Humpreys Philadelphia, PA 2 04-05 0
7 Eric Bennet Forked River, NJ 2 04-04 0
8 Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 2 03-11 0
9 Keith Cowan Mt Ephraim, NJ 2 03-07 0
10 Randy Baran Old Bridge, NJ 2 03-00 0
11 Brian Keister Atco, NJ 1 01-08 0
12 Darren Brooks Wenonah, NJ 0 00-00 0
12 NJ HS-Curran/ Stevenson Westampton, NJ 0 00-00 0
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Mike Moran Ruffsdale, PA 5 10-07 0
2 Daniel Gray Butler, PA 5 10-04 0
3 Mark Mounts Washington, PA 5 09-02 0
4 Richard Lane Pittsburgh, PA 2 05-12 0
5 Matt Becker Finleyville, PA 2 03-07 0
5 Jeff Hall Butler, PA 2 03-07 0
7 Mark Westrick Hastings, PA 1 03-04 0
8 Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, PA 2 02-15 0
9 Bart Keck Finleyville, PA 1 01-10 0
10 Todd Caddy Carnegie, PA 1 01-08 0
11 Ryan Buttermore Leetsdale, PA 0 00-00 0
11 Jerry Meadows Uniontown, PA 0 00-00 0
11 PA HS-Gower/ Mertz Lewisburg, PA 0 00-00 0
VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 John Conway Henrico, VA 5 11-13 0
2 Rodney Rice Narrows, VA 4 07-14 0
3 Damien McMahon Pilot, VA 5 07-13 0
4 Cavin Young Prince George, VA 3 07-10 0
5 Michael Burchett Pulaski, VA 4 07-03 0
6 Roger Castillo Goode, VA 3 05-05 0
7 Tyler Trent Nathalie, VA 2 04-02 0
8 William Goots Reidsville, NC 1 03-15 0
9 Greg Hylton Martinsville, VA 1 03-10 0
10 William Hubbard Ridgeway, VA 1 01-09 0
11 VA HS- Strayer/ Graves Madison, VA 0 00-00 0
11 Dave Menard Henrico, VA 0 00-00 0
11 Christopher Napier Virginia Beach, VA 0 00-00 0
WEST VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 4 10-12 0
2 James Dingess Barboursville, WV 5 09-10 0
3 Kenneth Hackworth Charleston, WV 2 05-15 0
4 Eddie McNeil Poca, WV 3 04-09 0
5 Dion Bright Fairmont, WV 2 03-15 0
6 William Kennedy Mineral Wells, WV 1 02-05 0
7 Jerry Burkhart Belpre, OH 1 01-11 0
8 Tommy Ford Leslie, WV 1 01-10 0
9 Tony Keller Charleston, WV 1 01-06 0
10 Joshua Cross Elizabeth, WV 0 00-00 0
10 Corey Gue Kenova, WV 0 00-00 0
10 WV HS-Goff/ Sigmon Clendenin, WV 0 00-00 0
10 Bradley West Vincent, OH 0 00-00 0
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