Angler's Choice "The Largest Team Bass Fishing Trail in America"

Bae and Urbanski Score Victory on the Potomac River

The 4 th qualifying tournament of the DelMarVa Division of the U.S. Angler's Choice Team Tournament Trail was held on the Potomac River July 11 out of Leesylvania State Park in Virginia. Originally scheduled for the James River in Richmond, a ramp closure forced the directors to secure the Potomac as a viable back-up site.

The great folks at Leesylvania waived the normal application process and scrambled enough staff to allow an early park opening that allowed all 53 teams to be in the water in time for a 6:00AM blast off.

A slight haze blanketed much of the river which kept heat of the sun at bay for most of the morning, but as noon rolled around, the humidity began to bear down on the water as the air temperatures reached the mid 90's. No wind was evident making for a very uncomfortable 9 hours on the water. With the exception of a few teams with mechanical problems, most teams held steadfast until the 3:00 weigh in.

Undaunted by the conditions, 31 of the DelMarVa teams were able to bring in a 5-bass limit. That's a good percentage even with picture perfect weather!

Finishing in 5 th place with 13.90 pounds was Pennsylvania's Gary Leranian and Ricky Kemmerer. This team is one of the most consistent on the trail, and won $500 for their efforts. In 4 th place were Virginia's Mac McManus and Gene Hord. They weighed in 14.55 pounds and took home $600. Mac and Gene use the new Glory Bag livewell system and credit that for helping to keep their fish alive on such a hot day.

In 3 rd place were Maryland's Cliff Magnus and Jim Howard. Cliff and Jim also had the big bass of the event at 5.84 pounds. That bass anchored their 14.85 creel and earned them a total of $1130. These guys have been in the news a lot in the last 2 weeks, Jim and his disabled partner won the Paralyzed Veteran's Tournament on the Potomac 2 weeks ago, and Cliff has made national headlines as well as the morning news shows after catching one of the largest northern snakehead fish 3 weeks ago at 5.14 pounds.

Our current leaders in the Angler's of the Year also reside in Virginia. Don Jones and Chuck Dent decided to point their Bass Cat Cougar/Mercury rig toward the bass and they just did what they are best at…catching quality bass! Working a secluded grass bed away from the crowds, Don and Chuck culled bass after bass to arrive at a 16.07 pound limit. They were awarded $800 and plaques, and confided that they had more fun on the water than they have had in a while.

Maryland is the home of our champions today. Since they began competing in the U.S. Angler's Choice DelMarVa Division, I believe they have only missed cashing a check once. Jim Urbanski and Moo Bae topped the field by almost 2 ½ pounds. Incredibly, Jim and Moo had 4 bass over 4 pounds as well as a nice keeper for their limit fish. Their 18.46 pound winning weight earned them $1620 for the day. Congratulations to these two fine angler's on their victory!

Gary Leranian and Ricky Kemmerer also won the 2 Deka AGM Marine Batteries donated by Deka at each DeMarVa event.

The next DelMarVa event is August 1 on the Nanticoke River on Maryland's Eastern Shore out of Cherry Beach Ramp. For more information visit www.usanglerschoice.net.