Maryland East Division

Upper Chesapeake Bay Recap

On September 3rd, 2005, 34 teams from the Maryland - East division of The Fishers' of Men National Tournament Trail finished out their '05 circuit season of five qualifying tournaments as they competed on the Upper Chesapeake Bay launching out of Dundee Creek. This vast body of tidal water and tributaries has been absolutely on fire with numbers as well as quality fish being weighed in at local events for the past three years. All but two teams caught at least one legal 12+ inch bass with 20 recording 5 fish limits. In total, 135 fish were brought to the scales for a total weight of 257.13 pounds, an almost 2lb average, phenomenal for the proverbial "dog days of summer". Fish were reported being caught everywhere thru out the bay system, on a number of techniques ranging from buzzbaits early to jigs and soft plastics around docks to deeper weed line fish being caught on crankbaits.

As check-in times approached, the suspense built as well as the crowds frenzied anticipation, as a number of teams vied for year end awards. Also on the line were 2005 East Regional Championships slots, that event to be held October 14th and 15th, on Kerr Reservoir outside Clarksville, Virginia. Finally, up for grabs was the title of 2005 MD - EAST Points Champions and as is typical for this division, the race was tight all year long with 20 teams still mathematically eligible coming into this final event, with just 2 points separating 1st from 3rd positions.

As weigh-in commenced with the teams fishing with us just for the first time or those who were out of the points race, it was evident that it could be anybody's chance to make post season honors - as weigh-in continued up the points bracket from least to most, it became evident that it would be a nail biter and when all was said and done, the team of brothers, Brian and Eric McNulty "leap-frogged" from 3rd to overall points leaders as they claimed the title of "Anglers of the Year" and the $840.00 prize pot, not to mention the $525.00 for finishing 3rd in this RQT tournament with a weight of just over 12 pounds, a sack bolstered by the 2nd biggest bass of the tournament at 4.66lbs. For the year, they amassed 976 out of a possible 1000 points, beating out 47 other teams on their way to weighing in 23 out of a possible 25 bass for a year end total of 50.92 pounds, all the while collecting $2161.00 in prize money. Great year guys, congratulations to the both of you for being awesome "fisher's of men" as well as deserving champions! The entire membership extends their best wishes as you represent the division at the "no entry fee" Fishers' of Men Tournament Trail's National Championship to be held February 7-11th, 2006.

The Billings adult / junior team continued their winning ways on the Upper Bay as they captured 1st place once again. By virtue of their 14.10 pound sack of largemouth, they collected the $1000.00 guaranteed 1st prize payout. Ending the year on a positive note, the always comical team of Fred Downey and John Baumann Jr. claimed 2nd place and $612.00 with their 12.24lb five fish limit. As mentioned before, 3rd place went to Eric and Brian McNulty while 4th place went to Joe DeVoe and Joe Kauders, fishing with us for the very first time. Fifth place went to Tom Clark III, fishing without his wife Dawn as he managed a bag of 5 bass weighing in at almost 11 pounds, leaving the weigh-in site immediately afterward to serve with his military unit as they provide help and comfort to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Our prayers go out to all those impacted as well as assisting with this disaster.

In sixth place were Don Hamer and Dan Martin from New Jersey while the adult / junior team of Mike and Austin Neary claimed the final check position finishing in seventh with 10.57 pounds. Finishing one out of the money in 8th place was John Jeddry and Ken Martin, placing in 9th place was Jack Freeland and Joe Garick and rounding out the top ten with a weight of 9.45lbs was the Adult Guy / Gal team of Kelly and Karen Comer. Claiming the $200 prize money for big bass of the tournament was David and Jeff Wicklein on the strength of their 4.77 pound "hawg".

We are excited to offer the following teams invitations to the big 2005 East Regional Championships based on their performances this year, after finishing a season where 23 of the 47 teams participating split over $16,441.00 as they weighed-in 441 bass for 968.04 pounds thru 5 qualifying events:

As the highest finishing Adult / Junior team, Tom and Jimmy Rufenacht along with the highest finishing Adult Guy / Gal team, Thomas and Dawn Clark along with the Wildcard Team, Joe Braglio and Ray Rupp will join the top twenty year end points winners, McNulty/McNulty (976), Wilder/Wilder (968), Brown/Cox (954), Wewerka/McNulty (944 - 2005 Rookie Team of the Year), Jachimski/Marchini (942), Hamer/Martin (939), Clevenger/Truman (937 - 2005 Comeback Team of the Year), Thackston/Carter (937), Downey/Baumann (937), Kowalewski/Patrick (934), Evans/Wingo (930), Whisted/Purvis (917), Elkins/Elkins (916), Thomas/Anderson (913), Gerring/Ostrowski (908), Smith/Poffenberger (907), King/Ridgely (899), Cammarata/Coburn (898), LaNore/LaNore (896) and Wicklein/Meyer (888) at the 2005 East Regional Championships. Also earning slots via their finish at the RQT event were Billings/Billings, Heck/Duffy, Jeddry/Martin and Dobash/Pry.

We are also excited to announce the 2006 schedule for the MD - EAST division as the following:

Potomac River - April 29th, 2006
Tidal Susquehanna Flats - May 20th, 2006
Nanticoke River - June 17th, 2006
Conowingo Reservoir - July 8th, 2006
Upper Chesapeake Bay (RQT) - August 5th, 2006

(Dates tentative until permit approval or due to major unforeseen conflict, for more information visit http://www.sfvu.com/fishersofmen/index.htm or http://www.fomntt.com
or call the FOM Area Tournament Director at 410-256-2966 or e-mail him at igodwin@fomntt.com)

Special thanks to the Pastor Bobby Owings, FOM Member Jack Whisted and the entire staff of Towne Baptist located in Joppatowne for providing our Friday evening pre-tournament meeting place as well as food. All the teams enjoyed a traditional spaghetti dinner with all the fixings as well as a bounty of homemade desserts. As is always the case with any Fishers' of Men event, we were excited about the opportunity to gather together for an awesome night of food, fellowship, pre-tournament planning, door prizes and powerful testimony. A special thanks to Al and Ron Lindner, fishing legends and Christian business owner icons that for the second year in a row, provided a wonderful video message featuring many famous professional fisherman such as Jimmy Houston and Shaw Grigsby and their relatable stories of their journey towards the truth, light and way to eternal salvation via the saving grace from the greatest "fisher of men" of all, Jesus Christ. 1 individual was led to make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. 15 more were motivated enough to proclaim a renewed commitment to return to God and follow Jesus in all areas of their lives!

We would like to recognize the efforts of all our volunteers with special recognition to Rob Hager, Assistant Director who has been an absolute "gift" for the tireless work he does on behalf of all the FOM members, Tim Chadwick as well as my wife Rita and children, Chelsea, Olivia and Taylor who not only helped this year but also gave me the freedom to travel like I have to on behalf of serving as a volunteer for FOM. A big thanks to Andrew from Gunpowder State Park for use of the facilities as well as use of his office for the truth-detection area.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our primary national sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Strike King Lure Company, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods and Presnell Plantation Services.

The Maryland - East division is blessed to have the following regional divisional sponsors: Call Dan at Sport Fishing Ventures Unlimited, now one of the nation's largest independent sales distributors specializing in only Christian manufacturers. (877-898-5818) Apply for your FOM membership discount at http://www.sfvu.com and you will get 15% off everything at their discount online store for as long as you are a FOM member. Call Chad at Halls Marine (570-546-2310) for your new Triton bass boat, whether it is fiberglass or aluminum. These guys rank as one of the nations premier dealerships and when you meet and talk with Chad and his staff, you will immediately know why! Ask him for the special Fishers' of Men discount on your next Triton boat purchase. A special note of thanks to Jim Herr of Herr's Snacks as well as Trey at Kistler Custom Rods, Gary at Solar Bat Polarized Sunglasses, Troy at Mizmo Tubes and Lizards, Tom at RoboWorm Finesse Handpoured Soft Plastics, Sam at Penetrator Slick Coated Tungsten Weights and Joe at Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits.

I would also like to thank our other National Sponsors which include: Gary Yamamoto, Spike-It, Marshall's Marine, Castrol, V&M Plastics, Motor Guide, Keel Shield, Solar Bat, Stanley Jigs, Lowrance, The Original Fish Formula, Dual Pro Chargers, Keep Alive Oxygen Infuser, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Jacob's Glass, FishingWorld.com, X-Tools, The Spot Remover, All-Terrain Tackle, Hot Rods Marine Care and Bass Rx.