East Regional Championships on Kerr Reservoir

Pennsylvania West Kerr Reservoir Recap

Seven teams for the Pennsylvania – West division competed October 14th and 15th at the 2005 East Regional Championships held on Kerr Reservoir. Teams launched out of Occoneechee State Park just outside of Clarksville, Virginia, the host city. Weather conditions for the first day were overcast and windy with water temperatures in the upper 60’s which led to a solid pattern for those fishing spinnerbaits in shallow pockets back half way in the northern creek arms. Day two was totally opposite with mile high blue skies but still a good stiff wind. Teams that adapted caught the required 14 plus inch bass primarily on jigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits with the better quality and quantity coming from way up in the main portions of the north rivers as well as Bluestone and Grassy Creeks.

No team from Pennsylvania – West finished with one of the top 7 slots but Brad Billeter and Ryan Fulks will join Ernie and Ken Pate, the regular circuit season points leaders, as they earned an invitation to the 2005 National Championships to be held February 7-11th, 2006 by virtue of being the highest finishing Pennsylvania – West team outside the top seven with their two day total weight of 10.22 pounds placing them in the 34th position.

No other Pennsylvania – West teams earned checks from the $43,000 available pot by placing in the top 36 out of the 185 teams participating and the Pennsylvania – West division unfortunately had no participants in the running for the automatic National Championship slot given to the highest finishing Adult Guy / Gal team and Adult / Junior team.

Other Pennsylvania – West teams competing were:

John Keene Sr. / Dan Reich – 70th Place – 6.54 pounds

Tim DeZort / Michael DeZort – 73rd Place – 6.08 pounds

Graydon Bonser / Bob Bittinger – 101st Place – 4.26 pounds

Mark Keene / John Keene Jr. – 130th Place – 1.48 pounds

Jamie Ferdarko / Chris Lanager had over 8 pounds the first day but lost the weight due to power charging trouble and Stephen Brown / John Kawecki withdrew after practice due to boat challenges.