BURLINGTON, N.J. — There’s no denying it. New Jersey put on a stellar performance in their home state to win the team competition in the 2011 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional bass fishing tournament on the Delaware River.
Extending their lead every day, New Jersey’s final margin of victory was just shy 44 pounds. And, they did it the old-fashioned way. Each of their 14 members — 12 adults plus two youth — caught at least one bass. Even more impressive, 11 of their members caught three or more.
To put those numbers in perspective, consider that a total of 152 keepers were caught in this, the toughest tournament on the Delaware River in recent memory. Of that number, New Jersey caught 50. That’s about one-third of the total catch. That pretty much sums it up.
For their winning efforts the team earned a Skeeter XZ 190 powered by a Yamaha VZ 150.
Trailing New Jersey was West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware — in that order.
Overall individual honors went to Richard McCrone of New Jersey in a tiebreaker with West Virginia’s Chris Morrison. Chris Price, fishing for Delaware, finished third with 11 pounds even, just 1 ounce off the pace.
McCrone earned his title with a consistent and detailed plan. He fished the same shallow, brushy backwater cove all three days and concentrated his efforts by only fishing with two lures.
“I caught my first bass on the first day on a spinnerbait but then broke one off in the bushes using a jig,” he explains. “After that I stayed as close to the bank as I could and just kept tossing it into the brush and working it up and down. The bite was real slow so you had to cover water, but at the same time you had to fish each spot slowly and carefully.”
“That was the game plan I developed during practice. I just stuck with it. Heck, conditions were so bad out there you couldn’t change even if you thought something else might work better. I’m real happy about how things turned out.”
The individual state champions are Chris Price for Delaware, Paul Gietka for Maryland, Richard McCrone for New Jersey, Scott Sirakos for Pennsylvania, Mike Cumberledge for Virginia, and Chris Morrison for West Virginia.
Each top angler will advance to the 2011 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship, Nov. 3-5, 2011 on the Ouachita River out of Monroe, La.
Big Bass honors went to West Virginia’s Chris Morrison. He brought a 4-pound, 3-ounce beast to the scales today. (Morrison also weighed in yesterday’s big bass. That fish weighed 3 pounds, 6 ounces.) His biggest bass earned him a MotorGuide electric trolling motor.
FINAL STANDINGS – 2011 B.A.S.S. FEDERATION NATION MID-ATLANTIC DIVISIONAL – BURLINGTON, NJ
2011 BFN Mid-Atlantic Divisional 9/7-9/9
Delaware River, Burlington NJ.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Richard McCrone Cream Ridge, NJ (NJ) 6 11-01 0
2. Chris Morrison St. Mary's, WV (WV) 4 11-01 0
3. Chris Price Church Hill, MD (DE) 5 11-00 0
4. Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, NJ (NJ) 6 10-14 0
5. Froggy Kolasa BLAIRSTOWN, NJ (NJ) 5 10-13 0
6. Eric Bennet Forked River, NJ (NJ) 4 10-04 0
7. Hobart Butcher Morgantown, WV (WV) 4 09-15 0
8. Paul Gietka Abingdon, MO (MD) 4 09-13 0
9. Mike Cumberledge Virginia Beach, VA (VA) 4 08-06 0
10. John Valdez Bellmawr, NJ (NJ) 3 07-10 0
11. Chris Smith Burlington, NJ (NJ) 6 07-07 0
12. Scott Sirakos Houston, MA (PA) 3 07-02 0
13. Ryan Kephart Sykesville, MD (MD) 3 06-15 0
14. Michael Maloney Burlington, NJ (NJ) 4 06-14 0
15. Mark Mounts Washington, PA (PA) 4 06-09 0
16. Mike Morris Three Ponds Bassmasters 4 06-09 0
17. Michael Reilly Hammonton, NJ (NJ) 3 05-07 0
17. Warren Wolk Jamison, PA (NJ) 3 05-07 0
19. Jerry Salisbury Washington, PA (WV) 2 05-07 0
20. Ron Taylor Moon Township, PA (PA) 3 05-05 0
21. Jim Herlihy Holmdel, NJ (NJ) 3 05-05 0
22. Jermell Fleming Harrisburg, PA (PA) 3 05-04 0
23. Jeffery Meador Richmond, VA (VA) 2 04-15 0
24. Greg Alexander Hebrew, MD (DE) 2 04-14 0
25. Larry Taylor Cross Lanes, WV (WV) 3 04-12 0
26. Brian Calloway Danville, VA (VA) 3 04-09 0
27. Allan Chenault Milford, VA (VA) 3 04-08 0
28. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD (MD) 3 04-05 0
29. Chris Episcopo Canonsburg, PA (PA) 2 04-03 0
30. Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ (NJ) 2 04-00 0
31. Kevin Brown Waynesboro, PA (PA) 2 03-13 0
32. Henry Schomaker Pineville, WV (WV) 4 03-11 0
33. Denny Breth Cheswick, PA (PA) 2 03-02 0
34. Nicky Diamandas Oak Ridge, NJ (NJ) 3 03-01 0
35. Walter Lechert PASADENA, MD (MD) 2 02-12 0
36. Rick Hamer Charleston, WV (WV) 1 02-12 0
37. Johnathon Heller Dover, PA (PA) 1 02-09 0
38. Larry Iden McHenry, MD (MD) 1 02-07 0
39. Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD (MD) 1 02-06 0
40. Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD (MD) 2 02-05 0
41. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD (MD) 1 02-04 0
42. Brian Brooks Mt Ephriam, NJ (NJ) 1 02-03 0
42. Robert McGee Fairmont, WV (WV) 1 02-03 0
44. Darin Doll Jacobus, PA (PA) 1 02-01 0
44. William Pioch Beckley, WV (WV) 1 02-01 0
46. Rankin Ring Wytheville, VA (VA) 1 02-00 0
47. Zachary Horrocks Dixie, WV (WV) 2 01-15 0
48. James Graves SYRIA, VA (VA) 1 01-15 0
49. Ron Horton Dover, DE (DE) 1 01-14 0
50. Jason Brown Beckley, WV (WV) 1 01-13 0
50. Craig Morris Ocean City, DE (DE) 1 01-13 0
52. William Drake Brookneal, VA (VA) 1 01-12 0
53. Larry Freeman Waynesburg, WV (WV) 1 01-11 0
53. Donald Muir Nottingham, MD (MD) 1 01-11 0
55. Mark Hogan Milford, DE (DE) 1 01-08 0
56. Brian Harold McGaheysville, VA (VA) 1 01-07 0
57. Todd Caddy Carnegie, PA (PA) 1 01-06 0
58. Koltyn Eason Dauphin, PA (PA) 1 01-04 0
58. Robert Smith Laurel, DE (DE) 1 01-04 0
58. Shelton Walters Felton, DE (DE) 1 01-04 0
61. Grant Callaway Bethel, DE (DE) 1 01-03 0
62. Matthew Martin Bumpass, VA (VA) 1 01-02 0
63. Jacob Cooper COLLINSVILLE, VA (VA) 1 01-00 0
64. Kenny Beale Danville, VA (VA) 1 00-15 0
64. Lukas Conner Hedgeville, MD (MD) 1 00-15 0
66. Joe Mantione West Milford, NJ (NJ) 1 00-14 0
67. Devon Braune Eastern Shore Bassmaste 0 00-00 0
67. Dana Brown Buckhannon, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
67. Roger Castillo Goode, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
67. Stephen Dunn Lincoln, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
67. Forrest Evans East Berlin, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
67. Joshua Friend Pulaski, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
67. Wayne Golla Mifflinville, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
67. John Jeddry White Hall, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
67. Ronald Littleton Seaford, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
67. Jerry Meadows Uniontown, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
67. Charles Moravec Washington, PA (WV) 0 00-00 0
67. Steve Roberts Lynchburg, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
67. Ken Robinson Laurel DE CANADA (DE) 0 00-00 0
67. Chad Scroggs Mechanicsville, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
67. Jim Short Ocean Pines, MD (DE) 0 00-00 0
67. John Smith Elkview, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
67. Josh Stowe Baltimore, MA (MD) 0 00-00 0
67. Gene Zinkhan Essex, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
67. Jason Zirkle Mable, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 65 125-02
2 0 32 60-12
3 0 55 95-00
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0 152 280-14
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
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State Lbs-Oz
1 NEW JERSEY 91-04
2 WEST VIRGINIA 47-05
3 PENNSYLVANIA 42-10
4 MARYLAND 35-13
5 VIRGINIA 32-09
6 DELAWARE 31-05
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
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DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Chris Price Church Hill, MD 5 11-00 0
2 Mike Morris Three Ponds Bassmasters 4 06-09 0
3 Greg Alexander Hebrew, MD 2 04-14 0
4 Ron Horton Dover, DE 1 01-14 0
5 Craig Morris Ocean City, DE 1 01-13 0
6 Mark Hogan Milford, DE 1 01-08 0
7 Robert Smith Laurel, DE 1 01-04 0
7 Shelton Walters Felton, DE 1 01-04 0
9 Grant Callaway Bethel, DE 1 01-03 0
10 Devon Braune Eastern Shore Bassmaste 0 00-00 0
10 Stephen Dunn Lincoln, DE 0 00-00 0
10 Ronald Littleton Seaford, DE 0 00-00 0
10 Ken Robinson Laurel DE CANADA 0 00-00 0
10 Jim Short Ocean Pines, MD 0 00-00 0
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Paul Gietka Abingdon, MO 4 09-13 0
2 Ryan Kephart Sykesville, MD 3 06-15 0
3 Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 3 04-05 0
4 Walter Lechert PASADENA, MD 2 02-12 0
5 Larry Iden McHenry, MD 1 02-07 0
6 Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD 1 02-06 0
7 Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD 2 02-05 0
8 Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 1 02-04 0
9 Donald Muir Nottingham, MD 1 01-11 0
10 Lukas Conner Hedgeville, MD 1 00-15 0
11 John Jeddry White Hall, MD 0 00-00 0
11 Chad Scroggs Mechanicsville, MD 0 00-00 0
11 Josh Stowe Baltimore, MA 0 00-00 0
11 Gene Zinkhan Essex, MD 0 00-00 0
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Richard McCrone Cream Ridge, NJ 6 11-01 0
2 Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, NJ 6 10-14 0
3 Froggy Kolasa BLAIRSTOWN, NJ 5 10-13 0
4 Eric Bennet Forked River, NJ 4 10-04 0
5 John Valdez Bellmawr, NJ 3 07-10 0
6 Chris Smith Burlington, NJ 6 07-07 0
7 Michael Maloney Burlington, NJ 4 06-14 0
8 Michael Reilly Hammonton, NJ 3 05-07 0
8 Warren Wolk Jamison, PA 3 05-07 0
10 Jim Herlihy Holmdel, NJ 3 05-05 0
11 Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ 2 04-00 0
12 Nicky Diamandas Oak Ridge, NJ 3 03-01 0
13 Brian Brooks Mt Ephriam, NJ 1 02-03 0
14 Joe Mantione West Milford, NJ 1 00-14 0
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Scott Sirakos Houston, MA 3 07-02 0
2 Mark Mounts Washington, PA 4 06-09 0
3 Ron Taylor Moon Township, PA 3 05-05 0
4 Jermell Fleming Harrisburg, PA 3 05-04 0
5 Chris Episcopo Canonsburg, PA 2 04-03 0
6 Kevin Brown Waynesboro, PA 2 03-13 0
7 Denny Breth Cheswick, PA 2 03-02 0
8 Johnathon Heller Dover, PA 1 02-09 0
9 Darin Doll Jacobus, PA 1 02-01 0
10 Todd Caddy Carnegie, PA 1 01-06 0
11 Koltyn Eason Dauphin, PA 1 01-04 0
12 Forrest Evans East Berlin, PA 0 00-00 0
12 Wayne Golla Mifflinville, PA 0 00-00 0
12 Jerry Meadows Uniontown, PA 0 00-00 0
VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Cumberledge Virginia Beach, VA 4 08-06 0
2 Jeffery Meador Richmond, VA 2 04-15 0
3 Brian Calloway Danville, VA 3 04-09 0
4 Allan Chenault Milford, VA 3 04-08 0
5 Rankin Ring Wytheville, VA 1 02-00 0
6 James Graves SYRIA, VA 1 01-15 0
7 William Drake Brookneal, VA 1 01-12 0
8 Brian Harold McGaheysville, VA 1 01-07 0
9 Matthew Martin Bumpass, VA 1 01-02 0
10 Jacob Cooper COLLINSVILLE, VA 1 01-00 0
11 Kenny Beale Danville, VA 1 00-15 0
12 Roger Castillo Goode, VA 0 00-00 0
12 Joshua Friend Pulaski, VA 0 00-00 0
12 Steve Roberts Lynchburg, VA 0 00-00 0
WEST VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Chris Morrison St. Mary's, WV 4 11-01 0
2 Hobart Butcher Morgantown, WV 4 09-15 0
3 Jerry Salisbury Washington, PA 2 05-07 0
4 Larry Taylor Cross Lanes, WV 3 04-12 0
5 Henry Schomaker Pineville, WV 4 03-11 0
6 Rick Hamer Charleston, WV 1 02-12 0
7 Robert McGee Fairmont, WV 1 02-03 0
8 William Pioch Beckley, WV 1 02-01 0
9 Zachary Horrocks Dixie, WV 2 01-15 0
10 Jason Brown Beckley, WV 1 01-13 0
11 Larry Freeman Waynesburg, WV 1 01-11 0
12 Dana Brown Buckhannon, WV 0 00-00 0
12 Charles Moravec Washington, PA 0 00-00 0
12 John Smith Elkview, WV 0 00-00 0
12 Jason Zirkle Mable, WV 0 00-00 0