Pennsylvania West Division

Raystown Recap

On April 1st, 2006, 10 teams from the Pennsylvania – West division of The Fishers’ of Men National Tournament Trail competed against Mother Nature’s April Fools day trick of periodic cold rain, blustery winds and uncooperative fish as they “casted for cash” on Raystown Lake for their 2nd event of the 2006 circuit season. Raystown Lake is a large, picturesque body of water that runs southward thru the northern Appalachian foothills of western Pennsylvania. Although known worldwide for its big stripers, it has a phenomenal population of big smallmouth and largemouth and offers anglers multiple ways to fish to match their style. Normally, one of the nations best “right after ice-out” bodies of water, with the extremely mild winter we had this year, the teams competing would not get to benefit from that as they found the fish in disarray and hard to pin down in the 45-50 degree water temps. As weigh-in concluded, these PA-West anglers would only turn in 10 fifteen plus inch fish with 7 smallmouth and 3 largemouth at almost a 3 pound average. The pre-dominant pattern was fishing windblown bluffs and adjacent flats with jerkbaits.

Kevin Baldwin and Rick Rumbaugh proved they had the answer to the puzzle as they reported catching multiple 15 inch plus fish on their way to the only limit of the day, a 4 fish bag weighing 12.59 pounds including the big bronzeback of the tournament at 3.86 pounds. For their efforts, they took home $650.00 plus a nice bonus from one of their personal sponsors. Claiming their first check of the year for their 2nd place finish, returning as the 2005 “Comeback Team of the Year”, was Jamie Ferdarko and Chris Lanager. Their 3 bass at 7.80 pounds earned them $300.00. Finishing in 3rd with just two bass weighing just over 7 pounds, including the big largemouth of the day at 3.79 pounds, was Ken Pate minus his partner and brother, Ernie. These returning 2005 points champions also did their division proud as they finished in 3rd place at the 2005 FOM National Championships held on Florida’s Winter Haven chain earlier this spring. Hank Lach and Bob Roach managed the only other bass of the day as they moved up into runner up position in the coveted 2006 points race!

Special thanks to Pastor Stanley Cordell (and yes, he is related to the famous lure maker, Cotton Cordell) of the Six Mile Run Church of God for providing our Friday evening pre-tournament meeting place. 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, pre-tournament planning, door prizes and powerful testimony. We were blessed with having the opportunity to hear from none other than The Fishers’ of Men Tournament Trails own National Chaplain, Larry Shine who flew in from Texas to share a powerful but simplistic message of how everyone can gain everlasting life by having a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He challenged those who know the Great Commission to do more with their faith, so much so that 3 individuals rededicated themselves to a renewed commitment to return to God and follow Jesus in all areas of their lives!

Let me take this opportunity to remind you that there are only three events left in the 2006 schedule for the PA - WEST division AND that 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 $35,000 in cash and prizes awarded including a brand new Triton / Mercury bass boat package. I cannot emphasize how important it is to make this event and all you have to do is to fish just 3 of the 5 PA-West tournaments to make it.

Lake Erie – June 24th, 2006

Youghiogheny Reservoir – July 15th, 2006

Shenango Reservoir – August 12th, 2006

(For more information, make sure to visit http://www.sfvu.com/fishersofmen/PaWest2006.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 )

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our national sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Strike King Lure Company, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods, Solar Bat, SOSpenders, Diamond Cut Jeans, Gary Yamamoto, Spike-It, Marshall’s Marine, Castrol, Motor Guide, Keel Shield, Shakespeare, Stanley Jigs, Lowrance, River Bottom Lures, Dual Pro Chargers, Jones Chevrolet, T&H Marine, Keep Alive Oxygen Infuser, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Jacob’s Glass, FishingWorld.com, X-Tools, Buckeye Lures, All-Terrain Tackle, Hot Rods Marine Care, Bass RX and Hooah Energy Bars and Drinks.

The Pennsylvania - West division is blessed to have the following regional divisional sponsors:

Sport Fishing Ventures Unlimited and its non-profit charitable giving foundation, Fishing Dreams Unlimited where every FOM Member in the nation gets “members only” treatment, discounts and special exclusive items and apparel ( http://sfvu.com/sfvustore/FOMdiscount.htm ). Call Brian or Craig at one of the nations largest and finest independent tackle dealers, Woodlands World (866-472-6969) and if you present your FOM membership card at checkout, you will get 15% off everything in the store (Except for firearms and optics). 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.

We also want to thank Joe at Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits, Trey at Kistler Custom Rods, Gary at Solar Bat Polarized Sunglasses, Troy at Mizmo Tubes, Randy at RoboWorm Finesse Handpoured Soft Plastics, Sam at Penetrator Slick Coated Tungsten Weights, Scott at Hammerhead Hair Jigs, 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. Finally, thanks to Bev and Sharon at Prize Webworks for their assistance in making our website such a great tool for you, the members!