The water level has everything to do with the leader Mark Garner’s strategy at the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.
That’s not surprising because the tournament is on the Monongahela River, where success hinges on the rise and fall of the current.
Wednesday, Garner caught only three bass, or two shy of a full tournament limit. His catch weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces. The small catch is attributed to environmental factors called out by Garner, who is a skilled river angler.
Tropical Depression Bill is flooding Texas, while the system is slinging rain bands as far northeast as West Virginia.
“The storm will affect us in one of two ways,” the West Virginian said. “Either we’ll get too much water or just the right amount.”
He added, “If it changes too quickly, the fish won’t have time to react to the change.”
Garner wants what he describes as the first scenario — a gradual runoff of rainfall into the river. That, he says, will move the fish nearer the shoreline. They will be easier casting targets along the cover.
The second scenario might make the already challenging fishing even worse. Too much rain could force the release of water from Tygart Dam, which flows into the tournament waters on the Monongahela River.
“That water will be very cold and muddy up the river,” he said. “Both conditions combined could shut down the fish.”
It’s too early to know which prediction will happen because of the uncertainty of the storm. A high probability of rain is in the forecast through the conclusion of the tournament on Friday.
Behind Garner is West Virginian Chad Brinegar with 5-12. Pennsylvania’s Daniel Gray is third with 5-11, and J.J. Dickens of West Virginia is fourth with 5-8. Richard Svoboda of Maryland is fifth with 5-7.
Winning the overall tournament is only one of several goals. The highest finishing angler from each of the six competing states will advance to the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship scheduled for Nov. 5-7 on the Ouachita River out of Monroe, La.
Virginia leads the state standings with a cumulative weight of 33 pounds, 12 ounces. Maryland is second with 32-11, and West Virginia is third with 27-15.
The winning state team is awarded a Skeeter/Yamaha boat, motor, trailer and accessories package valued at $33,340.
Another competitive element will come into play on Thursday, when state championship high school teams will compete alongside the adults to hone their skills at the higher level. Their cumulative weight will be added to the overall score of the state team.
Stay tuned to Bassmaster.com for daily live coverage.
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Old Milwaukee
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines, website, television show , social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
By: Helen Northcutt
