Winning Bag	The Fuller's
Big Bass Winners
Results

The re-occurring rain that has blanketed the east coast for the entire spring has churned Maryland's Chesapeake Bay into a caramel colored "dead sea". The water temperatures are well below normal, the aquatic grasses are slow to develop, and the bass are just as confused as the angler's who are trying to catch them.
Despite these adverse conditions as well as another wet weekend, 57 of the top teams in the DelMarVa Division put forth their best effort Sunday at Anchor Marina in the North East River. Many teams ventured south as far as Baltimore while others tried to find clearer water and established grass beds on Maryland's famed Eastern Shore. Recognized more for the steamed crabs than the largemouth bass, the Sassafras River seemed to garner the most attention. The Susquehanna River, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay at her headwaters is usually a productive area for smallmouth bass. On this day, though, only a handful of bronzebacks were carried to the scales. A strong wind plus the stained water had the bass reluctant to bite.
As a stiff breeze temporarily blew the gray storm clouds away in time for weigh in, only a few teams decided to end their day early. All of the others fished to the last minute hoping for that one bite to help move them up the ladder in the Angler's of the Year race.
Tournament Director Dave Kilby and Assistant Director Bruce Freeman were amazed when the bags started lining up at the 2 custom 100- gallon aeration tanks. 32 5-bass limits were presented at the scales, with a tremendous number of 3-3 ½ pound bass. Despite the negative conditions, these bass were on a big time feed! Just in time for our Angler's Choice competitors.
Finishing in 3rd place was the veteran Angler's Choice team of Sherman and Kevin Fuller. Their limit of 5 largemouth came on a shallow grassbed that was full of rolling carp. Instead of thinking the carp had scared the bass away, this father/son duo chose to drag Scum Frogs over the grass for their 5 bass weighing 12.33 pounds.
Our 4th place winners, Ron Swanston and Mitchell Scott also had the tournament lunker, a 5.44 pound beauty. This anchored their 12.61 pound limit and moved them way up in the overall standings.
In 3rd place was a New Jersey team that is always dangerous on these waters. Joe Lanzelotte and Kevin McCauley carried 5 largemouth to the scales that totaled 13.48 pounds. They were presented plaques and checks for $670. Great jog, guys.
Claiming the runner-up position was a team who is counted as regular money winners on the DelMarVa tour. With several victories and countless top 5 finishes, Maryland's Walt Ross and Willie Barrett of Team X-Citer took home plaques and $815.
Making their first trio to the victory circle was Maryland's Jerry Pyles and Charlie Garst. Their bag of bass was a definition of consistency as all 5 of their largemouth were in the 3 to 3 ½ pound range. On this day, they were the best of the best and moved into the top 5 overall, which is a tough thing to do. In fact, after 4 qualifying events, Jerry and Charlie are the only 2003 champions who are even in the top 15 at the moment! Quite an accomplishment, guys. They were awarded plaques, a $1000 Bass Cat Bonus Buck certificate, and checks totaling $1655. Congratulations!
Brian Trieschmann and Wendell Potter retained the lead in the AOY race, followed closely behind by Keith Ridgely and Tom Pohuski... The next DelMarVa event is July 20 on the scenic Chickahominy River in historic Williamsburg, VA.