NORTHEAST, Md. (Sept. 14, 2009) - Bryan Schmitt of Deale, Md., won the Bass Fishing League final Northeast Division bass fishing tournament of the season on Chesapeake Bay Sunday with eight bass weighing 25 pounds, 14 ounces. The victory earned Schmitt $5,126 and helped him qualify for the Potomac River Regional Championship in Marbury, Md., Oct. 8-10, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"It feels good to be able to put two solid days together," said Schmitt. "I practiced and had a very special day and came away with a very good feeling. I had a pretty good feeling about it, but it's always a surprise when you win."
Scmitt said he targeted grass that was 3 to 4 feet deep with a buzzbait to catch his fish.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Allan Engelmeyer of Severn, Md. (nine bass, 23-13, $2,563); John Shumate of Finksburg, Md. (six bass, 20-8, $1,709); Joseph Thompson of Ridley Park, Pa. (eight bass, 20-7, $1,196) and Michael Gilpin of Forest Hill, Md. (seven bass, 19-8, $1,025).
George Acord, Jr., of Lancaster, Pa., took home the Boater Division Folgers Big Bass award, earning $630 for a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass he caught.
Robert Wedding of Welcome, Md., earned $2,563 as the co-angler winner Sunday thanks to seven bass weighing 22 pounds, 1 ounce that he caught on a plastic frog.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Robert Rovenski of Mount Holly, N.J. (six bass, 19-8, $1,281); Benjamin Tawney of Stoystown, Pa. (10 bass, 17-13, $853); Terry Stevens of Sterling, Va. (six bass, 16-2, $598); and Andy Strickler of York, Pa. (six bass, 14-7, $513).
Wedding earned $315 as the co-angler Folgers Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass.