Stewart assumes lead at TBF Mid-Atlantic
Stewart's 34-9 helps keep West Virginia atop state-team leaderboard
ERIE, Pa. – Weather-wise, today was practically a carbon copy of yesterday at The Bass Federation Mid-Atlantic Divisional on Lake Erie, and but standings-wise, a new leader assumed the throne, as Eric Stewart of Anmoore, W. Va., now leads the overall list and the West Virginia team with a two-day total catch of 34 pounds, 9 ounces.
That catch helped extend West Virginia’s lead among the state teams for a second straight day, as the 12 members of that state’s team have collectively caught 216 pounds, 14 ounces of bass over the past two days. That gives them a big lead over No. 2 Delaware, whose 12 team members have caught 184-3, and it’s a significant lead to have, as TBF awards cash prizes to the state teams whose members catch the most weight over the tournament’s three days.
This week’s Mid-Atlantic Divisional is made up of 84 competitors representing West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Each team has 12 competitors, with half of them competing as boaters while the other half competes as non-boaters.
Each state’s winner advances to the 2009 TBF National Championship as a boater, while each state’s runner-up advances as a co-angler. The overall winner receives a $500 Wal-Mart gift card as the Castrol Maximum Performer.
Stewart looking to redeem himself
On a body of water as massive as Lake Erie, wind forecasts are always on the anglers’ radar. With winds expected to blow 11 to 18 mph tomorrow – a bit more than what competitors felt yesterday and today – contenders are keeping their fingers crossed.
“I hope the wind doesn’t blow tomorrow,” Stewart said.
He caught 14 pounds, 12 ounces yesterday and followed that up today with a four-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 13 ounces to take over his state lead from Tom Berga, who fell to third. Stewart’s two-day catch of 34-9 gives him a lead just 1 ounce shy of a pound on the overall list and a 4-pound, 15-ounce lead on the West Virginia team.
“I stuck to what worked for me yesterday – drop-shotting in the morning and using a Ron’s Baits spinnerbait in the afternoon on Lake Erie,” he said.
Should Stewart end tomorrow in first or second on his state team, he’d make the national championship, a place he’s been before.
“I have been to the nationals twice, so I would love to go back and redeem myself since I didn’t do so well,” he said.
Weiland moves up on overall list
Retaining his lead on the New Jersey team but moving up to second overall is Scott Weiland of Saddle Brook, N.J., with 33 pounds, 10 ounces. He caught 16-5 yesterday and improved that catch by exactly a pound today.
“I stuck with the same thing today,” said Weiland, who declined to discuss his methods in specific detail. “I didn’t execute, though. I lost four fish, and two of them were 4-pounders.”
Weiland remains optimistic about his chances tomorrow, though he too is hoping the wind won’t get too rough.
“I have a chance of catching a really good bag tomorrow,” he said. “I have three spots I am rotating through. A lot depends on boat control tomorrow. If the wind picks up, it will make it difficult.”
Alexander hangs on to Delaware lead
Yesterday’s overall leader Greg Alexander of Hebron, Md., slipped to third overall but hung on to his lead on the Delaware team with a two-day catch of 29 pounds, 13 ounces. His 19-pound day-one limit was followed by a day-two catch of three bass weighing 10 pounds, 13 ounces, but he still holds a 4-pound, 7-ounce advantage on his state team.
“I did the same deal as yesterday except my partner was catching them,” he said. “My partner caught two keepers at my (second) spot. He would cast left and I would cast right, and he came up with them today. Yesterday it was the opposite for me.”
Alexander dealt with boat traffic on his primary spot yesterday and had the same challenge today, though like yesterday, he still managed to bag a few fish.
“I had two boats on my first spot of the day, but I kept my composure and waited it out,” he said. “All three of my fish for the day came from that spot.”
For Alexander, the real trouble today was quality, not quantity.
“I caught more fish today, but I didn’t get the quality fish,” he said.
Williams takes over Virginia
Leading the Virginia squad after day two is Bobby Williams of Washington, D.C., with a combined catch of 23 pounds, 15 ounces. That put him in sixth overall and gave him a 1-pound, 13-ounce advantage on the Virginia team heading into the final day.
“Today I slowed down my retrieve and caught seven keepers,” Williams said, adding that he relied upon crankbaits and spinnerbaits today. “I have about 20 spots. I am being methodical and taking my time.”
Add Williams to the list of competitors hoping to see more of the same tomorrow, weather-wise.
“The wind is key for tomorrow,” he said. “Hopefully it will be like today.”
Should Williams finish first or second on his state team and make it to the nationals, it would mark a return trip, as he took eighth place in the 2008 TBF National Championship.
“It would mean a great deal to go back,” he said. “It would be unbelievable.”
Rest of the best
Leading the Pennsylvania team a second straight day is Brent McNeal of Huntingdon, Pa. Though he technically holds the lead since he had the higher standing yesterday, he and No. 2 Daniel Gray of Butler, Pa., are neck and neck, with 23 pounds, 9 ounces each.
Nathan Routzahn of Frederick, Md., took over the District of Columbia team with a day-two 14-pound catch that brought his two-day total to 21-2, good for a 1-pound, 5-ounce advantage heading into the final day.
Brandon Clark of Ridley Park, Pa., extended his lead on the Maryland state team another day. His 20-pound, 1-ounce combined catch affords him a 2-pound, 8-ounce lead.
The final takeoff will commence at 6:30 a.m. Friday from the Marina Launch at Presque State Park in Erie. The final weigh-in, as well as check and trophy presentations, will also be held there beginning at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free, and the public is invited.