Mid-Atlantic Division

Tidal Susquehanna Flats Recap

On May 31st, 2008, for the 2nd event of the circuit season, we had 34 teams launch out of Tydings Park in Havre de Grace, Maryland which sits at the very top of the Upper Chesapeake Bay. This area, known as the Tidal Susquehanna Flats, is becoming one of the finest bass fisheries in America where past FOM events have taken 20lb bags to get a check and as much as 27lbs to win. With the threat of severe weather forecasted for later in the day, many teams chose not to run, fearing the high wind and 4-6 foot rollers this fishery can produce and while tide conditions were almost perfect, the moon phase having just passed made finding the larger females at the height of spawning much, much tougher.

While most teams reporting catching 30-50 twelve to fourteen inch “bucks”, only 13 teams could manage a 5 fish limit of 15+ inch bass and the entire field of talented anglers managed just 112 fish but for a total weight of just over 305 pounds. The winning pattern all seemed to focus on the teams who were able to cover water with the cloudy conditions and crankbaits fished on rock and through grass produced the best fish for size and numbers.

Rookies to FOM for 2008, Jamie Bosler and Randy Keen showed they are serious contenders as they took 1st place and $1330.00 in prize money with their 18.28 pounds which was anchored by the biggest bass of the tournament at 5.69 pounds. Just missing out on cashing in on the Triton Boats bonus of $500.00, perennial Upper Bay favorites, the Billings, took the runner-up 2nd place position with 17.89 pounds. The Adult/Junior team of Jason and Dillian Kesckes locked in 3rd place and $420.00 with a 16.80 pound sack while the father / daughter team of Larry and Christina Thomas took the lead in the Guy / Gal rankings with their 4th place finish, weighing in 15.43 pounds. Rounding out the top 5, another Adult / Junior team, Ken and Nigel McFarland, weighed in 15.33 pounds, their sack anchored by the 2nd biggest bass of the tournament at 4.43 pounds.

Finishing in 6th place but taking the overall lead in the YTD Points Championship race, with a weight of 15.18 pounds, was brothers, Greg and David Wilder. Taking a run at 2008 Rookies of the Year, Bill Booth and Stephen Hall, used their weight of 15.04 pounds to finish in 7th while Ken Molz and Dan Brockmeyer placed in 8th place with 14.95 pounds. Jim and Chris Donaldson finished 9th with 14.69 pounds while Brent Thackston and Don Carter rounded out the top ten with their 5 fish limit weighing 13.87 pounds.

Special thanks to our divisional chaplain, Jack Whisted, for allowing us to use his facility as well as to all the great ladies at Towne Baptist for providing an awesome southern barbeque meal! 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 fellowship, food, great door prizes, and an incredible message from newly ordained pastor, Larry Thomas, who shared his personal testimony of 50 years of working with everything wrong, to now, working towards helping everyone understand the power of accepting Jesus Christ as your savior. Giving hope to anyone and eliminating excuses for all of the 80 guests in attendance, 2 individuals accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior while 8 others rose to the challenge to do more with their faith, so much so that they rededicated themselves to a renewed commitment to return to God and follow Jesus in all areas of their lives!

There are just three events left in the 2008 schedule for the Mid-Atlantic division schedule and that means you still have time to make the big East Regional Championships which you do not want to miss this year as their will be over $50,000 in cash and prizes awarded including a brand new Triton / Mercury bass boat package. I cannot emphasize how important it is to make these next events and all you have to do to be eligible is to have fished in the last 3 of the 5 Mid-Atlantic 2008 tournaments.

Upper Bay North – July 12th, 2008
Nanticoke River – August 2nd, 2008
Upper Bay South – August 30th, 2008

(For more information, make sure to visit http://www.sfvu.com/fishersofmen or http://www.fomntt.com or call the FOM Area Tournament Director at 410-256-2966 or e-mail him at igodwin@fomntt.com )

Another big thanks to Tydings Park for making use of their facility such a flawless success as well as to the Ragans, Dan Downer and Andy Lee for working to make the weigh-in work despite the wind, lightning and torrential downpours.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our national sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Shakespeare, Pflueger Reels, X-Tools, Strike King Lure Company, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods, Solar Bat, SOSpenders, Gary Yamamoto, Marshall’s Marine, Lowrance, Keel Shield, Berkley, Motor Guide, Stanley Jigs, Mizmo Bait Company, Dual Pro Chargers, Buckeye Lures, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Jacob’s Glass, All Star Rods, Poor Boys Baits, Rejuvenade and Keep Alive Oxygen Infuser.

The Mid-Atlantic division is blessed to have the following sponsors, The SFVU Business Group and its non-profit charitable giving foundation, Fishing Dreams Unlimited, www.FISHERMENSHEAVEN.com where every FOM Member in the nation gets “members only” treatment, discounts and special exclusive items and apparel (http://www.fishermensheaven.com/store/FOMdiscount.htm). We also want to thank Trey at Kistler Custom Rods, Gary at Solar Bat Polarized Sunglasses, Troy at Mizmo Tubes, Randy at RoboWorm Finesse Handpoured Soft Plastics, Joe at Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits, Sam at Penetrator Slick Coated Tungsten Weights, Mike and Steve at McCoy Line, Kerry at the TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group, Andy at JC’s Lures, Eric at Scent-Tec, the makers of “Speedy Reel” and the National Promotions Team at Choice Hotels and Cracker Barrel restaurants, all of which help support your division locally. A special note of appreciation to Buz Billings of North Harford Collision, Brad Finch with Finch Services, your source for your next John Deere product as well as Jim Herr of Herr’s Snacks. In addition, special thanks to Sharon and Bev from Prize Webworks for the great job they do with our website and Nancy from Nandel Graphics for the beautiful custom apparel and hats. All of these great Christian businessmen and women lead by example as they help support our ministry and I would ask that you consider supporting them with your next purchase.