U.S. Angler's Choice

Ken Wood, Brian Swall Survive Elements and Competition to Win Kerr Lake

As if yesterday's cold front wasn't enough to discourage the hearty DelMarVa teams, try adding a steady rain, more wind, and lower temperatures. Air temperatures hovered near 40 degrees yesterday as a steady rain fell mostly all day long. Several teams from yesterday's opener warned that they would not be back for today's tournament if the weather got any worse. Well, it did and they didn't. In fact most teams reported having trouble re-tying, threading worms onto hooks, and staying warm.

12 teams elected to participate in today's tournament, which again was launched at 7:00AM. This time only 5 teams returned with limits, and only a handful of teams returned without frozen fingers. On such a miserable day to be on the water, it was a wonder that teams maintained enough confidence to put a few fish in the boat.

Kody Bradbury and Ricky Bodsford, who represent Legend Boats and McGeorge Toyota finished in 3rd place with 11.11 pounds. They received plaques and 2 Daiwa reels courtesy of Susquehanna Fishing Tackle in Lancaster, PA.

Chris Bullock and Billy Shelton claimed 2nd place today with a limit weighing 15.50 pounds. They also took home an additional $70 in Option Pot money giving them a soggy total of $490. Nice work!

Barely nosing ahead of Chris and Billy to seal the victory was Ken Wood and Brian Swall. Their total weight of 15.52 eclipsed the 15.50 weighed in by Chris and Billy . They also put the big bass of the tournament in their livewell which weighed 5.38 pounds. In all, Ken and Brian caught about 10 bass today and collected plaques and $980 for their victory. Congratulations!

Americamps hosts the next DelMarVa event on Lake Gaston which is April 23.

Wade and Costabile Win Chilly DelMarVa Opener

Picture the perfect week at Kerr Lake on the Virginia/North Carolina border. Weather in the 80's all week, fish moving shallow, and lots of fish in lots of predictable patterns. Then picture tournament day…rain showers and wind in the morning, mid-50's in the afternoon and a 30-degree drop in air temperature.

This seems to be how the weather pattern is going for Region 4 U.S. Angler's Choice tournaments this spring. However, bass are still being caught no matter how uncomfortable it is for the teams participating.

18 teams arrived at the Hibernia Ramp on the NC side of Kerr Saturday morning and were launched at 7:00. They were hoping for 5 bass over 14" but the slot limit was enforced so teams were allowed to bring in 2 bass between 12 and 14" and 3 over the 14" limit.

Despite the nasty weather, 14 of the 18 teams were able to produce limits at the scales. Finishing in 3rd was Glenn Elliott and Stump Bledsoe. Their weight was 14.27 and included a nice 5.11 pound largemouth. They received $340 for their efforts.

Bryan Welch and Troy Searcy finished 2nd with 5 nice bass weighing 18.20 pounds.They were awarded $620 in total prize money which includes the second Option Pot payback. They also were presented plaques.

Gary Wade and Gaspare Costible finished on top with 18.63 pounds…just enough to edge Bryan and Troy. They also caught the tournament lunker…a nice 5.98 largemouth. Add the 1st place Option Pot money in and Gary and Gaspare walked away with $1415 in overall prize money. Nice going, guys! After tomorrow's tournament on Kerr Lake the circuit moves to Lake Gaston on April 12 out of Americamps.