Alexander leads TBF Mid-Atlantic on Lake Erie

West Virginia squad catches 96-3 to lead state teams

ERIE, Pa. – The Bass Federation Mid-Atlantic Divisional kicked off today on Lake Erie with 84 competitors from six states and the District of Columbia gunning for slots in the 2009 TBF National Championship. Leading the way on the overall list is Greg Alexander of Hebron, Md., with a limit weighing 19 pounds that also put him on top of the Delaware state team.

Teams from West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania each sent 12 anglers to this week’s divisional, and following the tournament’s conclusion Friday, the No. 1 finisher from each state team earns a ticket to the 2009 TBF National Championship. Each state’s runner-up advances as a co-angler.

TBF awards cash prizes at divisional tournaments to the state teams whose members catch the most weight over the tournament’s three days. After day one, the West Virginia squad leads that race with 96 pounds, 3 ounces of bass. Behind them in second is Delaware with 94-8.

Per Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations, this week’s event features a four-fish limit instead of the traditional five.

Alexander leads despite boat traffic

With his 19-pound day-one catch, Alexander holds a 1-pound, 13-ounce lead overall and a 6-pound, 14-ounce lead on the Delaware team. While he was reluctant to share specific details, Alexander did say he relied on deep plastics to catch his bass today.

“I caught seven keepers today,” he said. “I knew what areas I wanted to fish, but some waypoints didn’t work out. I found a ledge today that produced a limit of fish for me and two good fish for my partner.”

Unfortunately for Alexander, several boats moved in on his honeyhole, but that didn’t stop him from achieving day-one success, and it won’t stop him from going back for more.

“I plan on going back to that spot in the morning,” he said. “I was able to cull a couple of fish at some other spots today as well.”

Burnim benefits from day-one pairing

Half of each state’s team arrives at the divisional as a boater, meaning they compete out of their own boat, while the other half competes as a non-boater. Boaters and non-boaters are randomly paired each day, and each are expected to get equal front-of-boat fishing time throughout the competition day.

Competing as a non-boater, Ira Burnim of Silver Spring, Md., caught four bass weighing 17 pounds, 3 ounces today to land in second overall and first on the District of Columbia team.

“Today my partner helped me out by bringing me to the fish,” Burnim said. “I am excited to meet my partner for tomorrow so we can work out a plan.”

Burnim caught his bass today fishing a tube on the bottom of the lake.

Robinson takes early Virginia lead

In third overall and first in Virginia is John Robinson of Alexandria, Va. His four-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 3 ounces leads his state team by 1 pound, 9 ounces.

“I fished a mixed bag of drop-shots and spinnerbaits today,” Robinson said. “I caught all four of my keepers on the lake. I caught some in the (Presque Isle Bay) area, but I was not able to cull any fish.”

Robinson is also competing as a nonboater and says he and his day-one partner worked well together to put fish in the boat.

“My partner and I came up with a good game plan the night before, and we did a great job of executing,” Robinson said. “The key here is executing.”

Berga takes 2-pound lead in West Virginia

Tom Berga of Newport, Ohio, caught 16 pounds, 12 ounces to sit in fourth place overall and first on the West Virginia team by a 2-pound margin. He milked Presque Isle Bay as well as the big lake today for his bass.

“I started the day by catching a limit of largemouth bass in the bay on crankbaits,” he said. “After that, I moved to Lake Erie to drop-shot for smallmouths using a Berkley Gulp.”

It was a good day for nonboaters, as Berga too holds that position and thanked his partner for his opening-day success.

“I had a very good guide today,” he said. “Tomorrow I am going to try the same lures. I would like to thank all our sponsors and thank God for the great weather we had today.”

Weiland catches big bass, New Jersey lead

With a day-one catch of four bass weighing 16 pounds, 5 ounces, Scott Weiland of Saddlebrook, N.J., took the lead on the New Jersey team by a 4-pound, 4-ounce margin. That sack included a 5-pound, 8-ouncer that took big-bass honors for day one.

“I have been covering a lot of water,” said Weiland, who is in fifth place overall. “My first day of practice was good, but I moved around to try and find other spots.”

Weiland fished the big lake today to bring in a limit.

“I was on Lake Erie all day, and I plan on doing the same thing tomorrow except I am going to expand my areas,” he said. “What I am doing requires a lot of patience.”

Rest of the best

Leading the Maryland team after day one is Brandon Clark of Ridley Park, Pa., with a four-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 8 ounces.

Brent McNeal of Huntingdon, Pa., caught four weighing 12 pounds, 8 ounces to lead the Pennsylvania team by 6 ounces.

The public is invited to the Marina Launch at Presque State Park in Erie to watch tomorrow’s takeoff and weigh-in at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively. Admission is free.