FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The water level has everything to do with the leader Mark Garner’s strategy at the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.
That’s not surprising because the tournament is on the Monongahela River, where success hinges on the rise and fall of the current.
Wednesday, Garner caught only three bass, or two shy of a full tournament limit. His catch weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces. The small catch is attributed to environmental factors called out by Garner, who is a skilled river angler.
Tropical Depression Bill is flooding Texas, while the system is slinging rain bands as far northeast as West Virginia.
“The storm will affect us in one of two ways,” the West Virginian said. “Either we’ll get too much water or just the right amount.”
He added, “If it changes too quickly, the fish won’t have time to react to the change.”
Garner wants what he describes as the first scenario — a gradual runoff of rainfall into the river. That, he says, will move the fish nearer the shoreline. They will be easier casting targets along the cover.
The second scenario might make the already challenging fishing even worse. Too much rain could force the release of water from Tygart Dam, which flows into the tournament waters on the Monongahela River.
“That water will be very cold and muddy up the river,” he said. “Both conditions combined could shut down the fish.”
It’s too early to know which prediction will happen because of the uncertainty of the storm. A high probability of rain is in the forecast through the conclusion of the tournament on Friday.
Behind Garner is West Virginian Chad Brinegar with 5-12. Pennsylvania’s Daniel Gray is third with 5-11, and J.J. Dickens of West Virginia is fourth with 5-8. Richard Svoboda of Maryland is fifth with 5-7.
Winning the overall tournament is only one of several goals. The highest finishing angler from each of the six competing states will advance to the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship scheduled for Nov. 5-7 on the Ouachita River out of Monroe, La.
Virginia leads the state standings with a cumulative weight of 33 pounds, 12 ounces. Maryland is second with 32-11, and West Virginia is third with 27-15.
The winning state team is awarded a Skeeter/Yamaha boat, motor, trailer and accessories package valued at $33,340.
Another competitive element will come into play on Thursday, when state championship high school teams will compete alongside the adults to hone their skills at the higher level. Their cumulative weight will be added to the overall score of the state team.
Stay tuned to Bassmaster.com for daily live coverage.
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Old Milwaukee
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, 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, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional 6/17-6/17
Monongahela River, Fairmont WV.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mark Garner Bridgeport, WV (WV) 3 06-11 0
2. Chad Brinegar Berkeley Springs, WV (W 4 05-12 0
3. Daniel Gray Butler, PA (PA) 5 05-11 0
4. JJ Dickens Beaver, WV (WV) 3 05-08 0
5. Rick Svoboda Cockeysville , MD (MD) 4 05-07 0
6. Tyler Farmer Lynchburg, VA (VA) 3 05-00 0
7. Jeff Lugar Cross Junction, VA (VA) 2 05-00 0
8. Mike Wallace Highland Lakes, NJ (NJ) 4 04-12 0
9. Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD (MD) 3 04-08 0
10. Brian Harold McGaheysville, VA (VA) 2 04-07 0
11. Hunter Axt Bedford, VA (VA) 3 04-05 0
12. Michael McMahon Hackettstown, NJ (NJ) 3 04-00 0
12. Brad Weese Petersburg, WV (MD) 3 04-00 0
14. Brett Quader Marriottsville, MD (MD) 2 03-07 0
15. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD (MD) 2 03-05 0
16. Joe Sodora Garfield, NJ (NJ) 2 03-04 0
17. Kurt Mitchell Milford, DE (DE) 2 03-02 0
18. Joshua Hall Gordonsville, VA (VA) 2 03-01 0
19. Larry Iden McHenry, MD (MD) 3 02-13 0
20. James Dingess Barboursville, WV (WV) 2 02-12 0
21. Rick Hansen Monroeville, PA (PA) 2 02-10 0
22. John Jeddry White Hall, MD (MD) 1 02-10 0
23. Bryant Copley Altavista, VA (VA) 2 02-09 0
23. Randy Waterman Keysville, VA (VA) 2 02-09 0
25. Cliff Humpreys Philadelphia, PA (NJ) 2 02-06 0
25. Ken Thompson Roaring Spring, PA (PA) 2 02-06 0
27. Chad Shutty Northern Cambria, PA (P 2 02-05 0
27. Tyler Webb Glen Daniel, WV (WV) 2 02-05 0
29. Samuel Bounds Charleston, WV (WV) 1 02-04 0
30. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE (DE) 1 02-03 0
31. Tyler Judd Timonium, MD (MD) 1 02-02 0
32. Tony Axt Bedford, VA (VA) 2 02-01 0
33. Chris Smith Burlington, NJ (NJ) 2 02-00 0
33. Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE (DE) 2 02-00 0
35. Wayne Burchett Pulaski, VA (VA) 1 01-15 0
36. Josh Rhoades Newark, DE (DE) 1 01-14 0
37. Mike Granieri Linwood, NJ (NJ) 1 01-12 0
37. Mike McDonald Randleman, NC (VA) 1 01-12 0
39. Darin Doll Jacobus, PA (PA) 1 01-11 0
40. Ed Riley Woodbine, MD (MD) 1 01-10 0
41. Daniel Rodriguez Monkton, MD (MD) 2 01-09 0
42. Timothy Boothe Beaver, WV (WV) 1 01-09 0
43. Andrew Dick Wilmington, DE (DE) 1 01-06 0
44. Mike Morris Dover, DE (DE) 1 01-05 0
45. Eric McNulty Fallston, MD (MD) 1 01-04 0
46. Franco Totani Bethlehem, PA (PA) 1 01-03 0
47. JT Fitzgerald Lincoln, DE (DE) 1 01-02 0
47. Tony Keller Charleston, WV (WV) 1 01-02 0
49. Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA (VA) 1 01-01 0
50. Tony Kibler Milford, DE (DE) 1 00-15 0
50. Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, NJ (NJ) 1 00-15 0
52. John Hansen Street, MD (PA) 2 00-14 0
53. Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
53. Matt Becker Finleyville, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
53. Grae Buck Perkiomenville, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
53. HS- Fulks / Eckels Cecil, PA (WV) 0 00-00 0
53. Jim Embrey Belle, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
53. Jim Fields Camden, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
53. Tommy Ford Leslie, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
53. HS- Jones / Gaab Montoursville, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
53. Dale Glessner Latrobe, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
53. HS- Thens / Graves III Syria, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
53. Guyowen Hall Martinsburg, WV (MD) 0 00-00 0
53. Jesse Magee Williamstown, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
53. Jeff Mandes Smyrna, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
53. Matt Martin Bumpass, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
53. Rick McNulty Johnstown, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
53. Mark Ochkie California, PA (WV) 0 00-00 0
53. Robert Osman Maspeth, NY (NJ) 0 00-00 0
53. Mark Schafer Williamstown, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
53. John Serge Philadelphia, PA (NJ) 0 00-00 0
53. Carlos Smith Jr Cool Ridge, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
53. Bobby Smith Laurel, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
53. HS- Lowery / Smyk Milton, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
53. HS- Buthusiem / Stevenson Westampton, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
53. Rob Tipton Williamstown, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
53. Shelton Walters Felton, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
53. HS- McColsky / Winegardner Swanton, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
———————————————————————–
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 1 101 144-02
———————————-
1 101 144-02
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
———————————-
State Lbs-Oz
1 VIRGINIA 33-12
2 MARYLAND 32-11
3 WEST VIRGINIA 27-15
4 NEW JERSEY 19-01
5 PENNSYLVANIA 16-12
6 DELAWARE 13-15
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
———————————————————————–
DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kurt Mitchell Milford, DE 2 03-02 0
2 Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 1 02-03 0
3 Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE 2 02-00 0
4 Josh Rhoades Newark, DE 1 01-14 0
5 Andrew Dick Wilmington, DE 1 01-06 0
6 Mike Morris Dover, DE 1 01-05 0
7 JT Fitzgerald Lincoln, DE 1 01-02 0
8 Tony Kibler Milford, DE 1 00-15 0
9 Jim Fields Camden, DE 0 00-00 0
9 Jeff Mandes Smyrna, DE 0 00-00 0
9 Bobby Smith Laurel, DE 0 00-00 0
9 HS- Lowery / Smyk Milton, DE 0 00-00 0
9 Shelton Walters Felton, DE 0 00-00 0
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Rick Svoboda Cockeysville , MD 4 05-07 0
2 Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD 3 04-08 0
3 Brad Weese Petersburg, WV 3 04-00 0
4 Brett Quader Marriottsville, MD 2 03-07 0
5 Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 2 03-05 0
6 Larry Iden McHenry, MD 3 02-13 0
7 John Jeddry White Hall, MD 1 02-10 0
8 Tyler Judd Timonium, MD 1 02-02 0
9 Ed Riley Woodbine, MD 1 01-10 0
10 Daniel Rodriguez Monkton, MD 2 01-09 0
11 Eric McNulty Fallston, MD 1 01-04 0
12 Guyowen Hall Martinsburg, WV 0 00-00 0
12 HS- McColsky / Winegardner Swanton, MD 0 00-00 0
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Wallace Highland Lakes, NJ 4 04-12 0
2 Michael McMahon Hackettstown, NJ 3 04-00 0
3 Joe Sodora Garfield, NJ 2 03-04 0
4 Cliff Humpreys Philadelphia, PA 2 02-06 0
5 Chris Smith Burlington, NJ 2 02-00 0
6 Mike Granieri Linwood, NJ 1 01-12 0
7 Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, NJ 1 00-15 0
8 Jesse Magee Williamstown, NJ 0 00-00 0
8 Robert Osman Maspeth, NY 0 00-00 0
8 Mark Schafer Williamstown, NJ 0 00-00 0
8 John Serge Philadelphia, PA 0 00-00 0
8 HS- Buthusiem / Stevenson Westampton, NJ 0 00-00 0
8 Rob Tipton Williamstown, NJ 0 00-00 0
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Daniel Gray Butler, PA 5 05-11 0
2 Rick Hansen Monroeville, PA 2 02-10 0
3 Ken Thompson Roaring Spring, PA 2 02-06 0
4 Chad Shutty Northern Cambria, PA 2 02-05 0
5 Darin Doll Jacobus, PA 1 01-11 0
6 Franco Totani Bethlehem, PA 1 01-03 0
7 John Hansen Street, MD 2 00-14 0
8 Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, PA 0 00-00 0
8 Matt Becker Finleyville, PA 0 00-00 0
8 Grae Buck Perkiomenville, PA 0 00-00 0
8 HS- Jones / Gaab Montoursville, PA 0 00-00 0
8 Dale Glessner Latrobe, PA 0 00-00 0
8 Rick McNulty Johnstown, PA 0 00-00 0
VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tyler Farmer Lynchburg, VA 3 05-00 0
2 Jeff Lugar Cross Junction, VA 2 05-00 0
3 Brian Harold McGaheysville, VA 2 04-07 0
4 Hunter Axt Bedford, VA 3 04-05 0
5 Joshua Hall Gordonsville, VA 2 03-01 0
6 Bryant Copley Altavista, VA 2 02-09 0
6 Randy Waterman Keysville, VA 2 02-09 0
8 Tony Axt Bedford, VA 2 02-01 0
9 Wayne Burchett Pulaski, VA 1 01-15 0
10 Mike McDonald Randleman, NC 1 01-12 0
11 Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA 1 01-01 0
12 HS- Thens / Graves III Syria, VA 0 00-00 0
12 Matt Martin Bumpass, VA 0 00-00 0
WEST VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Garner Bridgeport, WV 3 06-11 0
2 Chad Brinegar Berkeley Springs, WV 4 05-12 0
3 JJ Dickens Beaver, WV 3 05-08 0
4 James Dingess Barboursville, WV 2 02-12 0
5 Tyler Webb Glen Daniel, WV 2 02-05 0
6 Samuel Bounds Charleston, WV 1 02-04 0
7 Timothy Boothe Beaver, WV 1 01-09 0
8 Tony Keller Charleston, WV 1 01-02 0
9 HS- Fulks / Eckels Cecil, PA 0 00-00 0
9 Jim Embrey Belle, WV 0 00-00 0
9 Tommy Ford Leslie, WV 0 00-00 0
9 Mark Ochkie California, PA 0 00-00 0
9 Carlos Smith Jr Cool Ridge, WV 0 00-00 0
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