ERIE, Pa .— Retired West Virginia State Trooper Bill Pioch relied on his patrolling skills to uncover schools of Lake Erie smallmouth and seize the lead at the B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional tournament on Lake Erie.
Pioch, 45, caught a four-fish limit of smallmouth bass weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces to take over the lead in the tournament. By finishing Day 2 in first place with 24-13, Pioch won the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $250.
“Basically I drove around until I found the schools of fish, and then we would start fishing,” said Pioch, who owns a security installation business. “It was just like playing video games.”
When he would see fish on the screen, Pioch would lower his drop shot rig straight down into the school. He found fish 20 to 25 feet deep in the morning, but by afternoon the schools had dropped to the 30- to 35-foot range.
The New River Bassmasters club member noticed some of the fish were suspended, and others were hugging the bottom.
“For the suspended fish, we had to drop our lures right on their heads to get them to bite,” said Pioch, who estimated he caught 20 keepers throughout the day. “Once we caught one or two good fish off the school, the fish would spook and move off. So we had to keep hunting.”
Catching smallmouth in deep water is a tactic Pioch frequently employs when fishing at home on Summersville Lake. “We catch bass there up to 60 to 65 feet deep,” he said.
Because the Mid-Atlantic contenders were restricted to Presque Isle Bay the first day of the tournament due to strong winds, Pioch targeted largemouth bass and put together a 9-8 limit to settle into ninth place. He caught all of his green fish flipping Brush Hogs and jigs to grass and rocks in the shallows.
If Pioch finishes as the top angler on his West Virginia team, he will qualify for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. Other state leaders hoping to make the championship competition are Jason Vaughn of Delaware with 24 pounds; John Duarte, Maryland, 18-3; Jim Groome, New Jersey, 24-3; Mike Moran, Pennsylvania, 24-1; and Bryant Copley, Virginia, 20-1.
Delaware has taken over the lead in the team competition with 223 pounds, 15 ounces, followed by the host Pennsylvania squad with 206-3.
Patrick Staszewski of Clifton, N.J., took over the lead for Carhartt Big Bass with the 5-1 bass he caught on Day 2.
2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional 7/24-7/26
Lake Erie, Erie, Pa.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. William Pioch Beckley, WV (WV) 8 24-13 0
2. Jim Groome Pittsgrove, NJ (NJ) 8 24-03 0
3. Mike Moran Ruffsdale, PA (PA) 8 24-01 0
4. Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE (DE) 8 24-00 0
5. Chris Price Church Hill, MD (DE) 8 23-10 0
6. Jim Short Ocean Pines, MD (DE) 8 23-08 0
7. John Carpenter Marmona, NJ (NJ) 8 23-05 0
8. Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ (NJ 8 23-03 0
9. Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, NJ (NJ) 8 22-14 0
10. Shelton Walters Felton, DE (DE) 8 22-01 0
11. Brian La Clair Denton, MD (DE) 8 21-13 0
12. Chris Smith Burlington, NJ (NJ) 8 21-04 0
13. Steve Marks Walton, WV (WV) 7 20-07 0
14. Phil Coffin Pittsburgh, PA (PA) 8 20-07 0
15. Matt Becker Finleyville, PA (PA) 8 20-06 0
16. Carlos Dale Smith Jr Beckley, WV (WV) 8 20-04 0
17. Shaun Brown Slippery Rock, PA (PA) 7 20-03 0
18. Chad Shutty Northern Cambria, PA (P 8 20-01 0
19. Bryant Copley Altavista, VA (VA) 8 20-01 0
20. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE (DE) 8 19-13 0
21. Jeff Lugar Mcgaheysville, VA (VA) 6 19-07 0
22. Keith Sensenig Janelew, WV (WV) 8 19-04 0
23. Richard McCrone Cream Ridge, NJ (NJ) 8 19-00 0
24. Jason Brown Beckley, WV (WV) 8 18-15 0
25. Ron Bane Frackville, PA (PA) 7 18-05 0
26. John Duarte Baltimore, MD (MD) 7 18-03 0
27. Ben Bilott Larimer, PA (PA) 8 18-02 0
28. Eddie Fore Concord, VA (VA) 8 18-02 0
29. Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD (MD) 7 18-00 0
30. Mike Morris Dover, DE (DE) 7 17-14 0
31. Thomas Bavaro III Joppa, MD (MD) 6 17-07 0
32. Daniel Gray Butler, PA (PA) 7 17-04 0
33. Brett Quader Pasadena, MD (MD) 7 17-04 0
34. Shea W Lindale Milford, DE (DE) 6 16-13 0
35. Kevin Waterman Laplata, MD (MD) 6 16-11 0
36. Ben Barr Freeport, PA (PA) 6 16-10 0
37. J.C Christopher II Clarksburg, WV (WV) 6 16-09 0
38. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD (DE) 7 16-05 0
39. Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD (MD) 7 16-03 0
40. Keith Cowan Mt Ephraim, NJ (NJ) 7 16-01 0
41. Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD (MD) 7 16-00 0
42. Roland Paronish Hastings, PA (PA) 7 15-12 0
43. L D Kinsey Virginia Beach, VA (VA) 7 15-07 0
44. Wayne Burchett Pulaski, VA (VA) 7 15-04 0
45. Robby Fleshman Tad, WV (WV) 6 15-01 0
46. Ryan Buttermore Cranberry Twp, PA (PA) 5 15-00 0
47. James Mark Bradshaw Lynchburg, VA (VA) 6 14-12 0
48. Luke Cooper Reisterstown, MD (MD) 6 14-02 0
49. Edward Powell Elizabeth, WV (WV) 5 14-00 0
50. Paul Gietka Abingdon, MD (MD) 6 13-11 0
51. Charles Boyce Fairmont, WV (WV) 6 13-10 0
52. Craig Morris Ocean City, DE (DE) 5 13-03 0
53. Brian Brooks Sewell, NJ (NJ) 4 13-02 0
54. Bob Austin Marydel, DE (DE) 5 13-00 0
55. Patrick Staszewski Clifton, NJ (NJ) 4 12-11 0
56. Brandon Reynolds Callands, VA (VA) 4 12-05 0
57. Bobby Smith Laurel, DE (DE) 5 11-15 0
58. Randy Baran JR Old Bridge, NJ (NJ) 5 11-14 0
59. Roger Trageser Baltimore, MD (MD) 4 11-07 0
60. Butch Wilson Moyock, NC (VA) 5 10-06 0
61. Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA (VA) 4 10-00 0
62. Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ (NJ) 5 09-15 0
63. Matthew James Gower Carolina, WV (WV) 4 09-08 0
64. Gunnar Beale New Market, MD (MD) 4 08-05 0
65. Dustin Hollen Buckhannon, WV (WV) 4 08-02 0
66. Frank Harris Beaverdam, VA (VA) 3 07-12 0
67. William Goots Reidsville, NC (VA) 4 07-08 0
68. Russell Awad Brooklyn, NY (NJ) 2 07-01 0
69. Bill Bennett Sr Stewatstown, PA (MD) 3 06-05 0
70. Mike Cumberledge Virginia Beach, VA (VA) 2 04-02 0
71. Randall Cutright French Creek, WV (WV) 1 02-02 0
72. Ryan Appleby New Windsory, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
72. Corey Betchel Macungie, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
72. Devon Braune Eastern Shore Bassmaste 0 00-00 0
72. Justin Bronson Glenn Dale, MD (MD) 0 00-00 0
72. John Burkley Wheeling, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
72. Jacob Cooper COLLINSVILLE, VA (VA) 0 00-00 0
72. Brent Engleman Milton, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
72. Ian Hanna Export, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
72. Benjamin LeBlanc Harbers Ferry , WV (VA) 0 00-00 0
72. Joey Mantione West Milford, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
72. Henry Schomaker Pineville, WV (WV) 0 00-00 0
72. Trevor Topken Allendale, NJ (NJ) 0 00-00 0
72. Hailey Wich Camden, DE (DE) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 189 410-14
2 0 253 735-04
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0 442 1146-02
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
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State Lbs-Oz
1 DELAWARE 223-15
2 PENNSYLVANIA 206-03
3 NEW JERSEY 204-09
4 WEST VIRGINIA 182-11
5 MARYLAND 173-10
6 VIRGINIA 155-02
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
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DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE 8 24-00 0
2 Chris Price Church Hill, MD 8 23-10 0
3 Jim Short Ocean Pines, MD 8 23-08 0
4 Shelton Walters Felton, DE 8 22-01 0
5 Brian La Clair Denton, MD 8 21-13 0
6 Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 8 19-13 0
7 Mike Morris Dover, DE 7 17-14 0
8 Shea W Lindale Milford, DE 6 16-13 0
9 Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 7 16-05 0
10 Craig Morris Ocean City, DE 5 13-03 0
11 Bob Austin Marydel, DE 5 13-00 0
12 Bobby Smith Laurel, DE 5 11-15 0
13 Devon Braune Eastern Shore Bassmaste 0 00-00 0
13 Hailey Wich Camden, DE 0 00-00 0
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 John Duarte Baltimore, MD 7 18-03 0
2 Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD 7 18-00 0
3 Thomas Bavaro III Joppa, MD 6 17-07 0
4 Brett Quader Pasadena, MD 7 17-04 0
5 Kevin Waterman Laplata, MD 6 16-11 0
6 Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD 7 16-03 0
7 Jeremy Mathias Monrovia, MD 7 16-00 0
8 Luke Cooper Reisterstown, MD 6 14-02 0
9 Paul Gietka Abingdon, MD 6 13-11 0
10 Roger Trageser Baltimore, MD 4 11-07 0
11 Gunnar Beale New Market, MD 4 08-05 0
12 Bill Bennett Sr Stewatstown, PA 3 06-05 0
13 Ryan Appleby New Windsory, MD 0 00-00 0
13 Justin Bronson Glenn Dale, MD 0 00-00 0
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Jim Groome Pittsgrove, NJ 8 24-03 0
2 John Carpenter Marmona, NJ 8 23-05 0
3 Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ 8 23-03 0
4 Scott Weiland Saddle Brook, NJ 8 22-14 0
5 Chris Smith Burlington, NJ 8 21-04 0
6 Richard McCrone Cream Ridge, NJ 8 19-00 0
7 Keith Cowan Mt Ephraim, NJ 7 16-01 0
8 Brian Brooks Sewell, NJ 4 13-02 0
9 Patrick Staszewski Clifton, NJ 4 12-11 0
10 Randy Baran JR Old Bridge, NJ 5 11-14 0
11 Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ 5 09-15 0
12 Russell Awad Brooklyn, NY 2 07-01 0
13 Joey Mantione West Milford, NJ 0 00-00 0
13 Trevor Topken Allendale, NJ 0 00-00 0
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Mike Moran Ruffsdale, PA 8 24-01 0
2 Phil Coffin Pittsburgh, PA 8 20-07 0
3 Matt Becker Finleyville, PA 8 20-06 0
4 Shaun Brown Slippery Rock, PA 7 20-03 0
5 Chad Shutty Northern Cambria, PA 8 20-01 0
6 Ron Bane Frackville, PA 7 18-05 0
7 Ben Bilott Larimer, PA 8 18-02 0
8 Daniel Gray Butler, PA 7 17-04 0
9 Ben Barr Freeport, PA 6 16-10 0
10 Roland Paronish Hastings, PA 7 15-12 0
11 Ryan Buttermore Cranberry Twp, PA 5 15-00 0
12 Corey Betchel Macungie, PA 0 00-00 0
12 Brent Engleman Milton, PA 0 00-00 0
12 Ian Hanna Export, PA 0 00-00 0
VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Bryant Copley Altavista, VA 8 20-01 0
2 Jeff Lugar Mcgaheysville, VA 6 19-07 0
3 Eddie Fore Concord, VA 8 18-02 0
4 L D Kinsey Virginia Beach, VA 7 15-07 0
5 Wayne Burchett Pulaski, VA 7 15-04 0
6 James Mark Bradshaw Lynchburg, VA 6 14-12 0
7 Brandon Reynolds Callands, VA 4 12-05 0
8 Butch Wilson Moyock, NC 5 10-06 0
9 Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA 4 10-00 0
10 Frank Harris Beaverdam, VA 3 07-12 0
11 William Goots Reidsville, NC 4 07-08 0
12 Mike Cumberledge Virginia Beach, VA 2 04-02 0
13 Jacob Cooper COLLINSVILLE, VA 0 00-00 0
13 Benjamin LeBlanc Harbers Ferry , WV 0 00-00 0
WEST VIRGINIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 William Pioch Beckley, WV 8 24-13 0
2 Steve Marks Walton, WV 7 20-07 0
3 Carlos Dale Smith Jr Beckley, WV 8 20-04 0
4 Keith Sensenig Janelew, WV 8 19-04 0
5 Jason Brown Beckley, WV 8 18-15 0
6 J.C Christopher II Clarksburg, WV 6 16-09 0
7 Robby Fleshman Tad, WV 6 15-01 0
8 Edward Powell Elizabeth, WV 5 14-00 0
9 Charles Boyce Fairmont, WV 6 13-10 0
10 Matthew James Gower Carolina, WV 4 09-08 0
11 Dustin Hollen Buckhannon, WV 4 08-02 0
12 Randall Cutright French Creek, WV 1 02-02 0
13 John Burkley Wheeling, WV 0 00-00 0
13 Henry Schomaker Pineville, WV 0 00-00 0