SFVU - Fishers of Men

On November 5th, 2005, 6 teams from the Pennsylvania – West division of The Fishers’ of Men National Tournament Trail kicked off their 2006 circuit season by fishing out on Presque Isle Bay just outside Erie, Pennsylvania located in the most northwest portion of the Keystone state. With our ease-off launch from the Niagara Ramp, this event would be restricted to the bay only unlike our summer events at this same venue which are permitted for both bay and Lake Erie. Unfortunately, many potential teams were scared away pre-maturely by the heavy winds that faced teams as they practiced on Friday. At launch time, winds had diminished and by weigh-in, temperatures were in the low 70’s, so much so that our weigh-in site was deluged by the largest swarm of ladybugs I have ever seen. As the myth goes, they are suppose to be a harbinger of great luck; if so, the PA West teams that fished were definitely met with that!

On this day, only one team managed a 5 bass limit of at least 15 inch plus keepers while two teams started the season off with an empty livewell at weigh-in. The entire field managed to catch a ton of bass in the 12-14 inch range but only 11 largemouth over 15 inches for a total weight of 31.06 pounds, making for an almost incredible 3 pound average per fish, respectable anywhere in America and why this fishery is considered one of the best in the Nation for both numbers and quality. Remarkably, almost every keeper fish was reported being caught on jerkbaits or crankbaits in the 55 degree water while soft plastics tended to lure in the smaller non-keeper bass.

Fishing with us as returning 2005 divisional champions, Ernie and Ken Pate, brothers from Butler, Pennsylvania, started off the 2006 circuit season right where they left off by earning over $600 in placing 1st with their sack of 5 bass weighing in at 16.82 pounds including the biggest largemouth of the tournament at 4.05 pounds. The team of John Keene Sr. and Jeff Hall claimed 2nd with 3 largemouth weighing in at 6.20 pounds while Hank Lach and Bob Roach, fishing with us for the first time, took 3rd place and the lead in Rookie of the Year standings with their 5.93 pound sack which included the 2nd biggest bass of the day at 3.67 pounds. Ruth Altman and Brad Bourdess took the early lead in the Adult Guy / Gal race with Ruth’s 1st tournament bass at 2.11 which earned her and Brad 4th place.


Presque Isle Bay Recap

On November 5th, 2005, 6 teams from the Pennsylvania – West division of The Fishers’ of Men National Tournament Trail kicked off their 2006 circuit season by fishing out on Presque Isle Bay just outside Erie, Pennsylvania located in the most northwest portion of the Keystone state. With our ease-off launch from the Niagara Ramp, this event would be restricted to the bay only unlike our summer events at this same venue which are permitted for both bay and Lake Erie. Unfortunately, many potential teams were scared away pre-maturely by the heavy winds that faced teams as they practiced on Friday. At launch time, winds had diminished and by weigh-in, temperatures were in the low 70’s, so much so that our weigh-in site was deluged by the largest swarm of ladybugs I have ever seen. As the myth goes, they are suppose to be a harbinger of great luck; if so, the PA West teams that fished were definitely met with that! On this day, only one team managed a 5 bass limit of at least 15 inch plus keepers while two teams started the season off with an empty livewell at weigh-in. The entire field managed to catch a ton of bass in the 12-14 inch range but only 11 largemouth over 15 inches for a total weight of 31.06 pounds, making for an almost incredible 3 pound average per fish, respectable anywhere in America and why this fishery is considered one of the best in the Nation for both numbers and quality. Remarkably, almost every keeper fish was reported being caught on jerkbaits or crankbaits in the 55 degree water while soft plastics tended to lure in the smaller non-keeper bass. Fishing with us as returning 2005 divisional champions, Ernie and Ken Pate, brothers from Butler, Pennsylvania, started off the 2006 circuit season right where they left off by earning over $600 in placing 1st with their sack of 5 bass weighing in at 16.82 pounds including the biggest largemouth of the tournament at 4.05 pounds. The team of John Keene Sr. and Jeff Hall claimed 2nd with 3 largemouth weighing in at 6.20 pounds while Hank Lach and Bob Roach, fishing with us for the first time, took 3rd place and the lead in Rookie of the Year standings with their 5.93 pound sack which included the 2nd biggest bass of the day at 3.67 pounds. Ruth Altman and Brad Bourdess took the early lead in the Adult Guy / Gal race with Ruth’s 1st tournament bass at 2.11 which earned her and Brad 4th place.


1st Place -Pate& Pate	2nd Place - Hall & Keene Sr	3rd Place - Lach & Roach

(click on picture to enlarge picture)
Special thanks to Steve Seip of the 1st Alliance CMA Church for providing our Friday evening pre-tournament meeting place as well as to Fishing Dreams Unlimited, the non-profit charitable giving foundation of Sport Fishing Ventures Unlimited for providing the meal of pizza and buffalo wings. 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 MD – West member DJ Rogers who provided us a phenomenal and eye opening personal testimony of how his battle with cancer strengthened his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at a time when most people blame God for their challenges and run the other way. He took every excuse away from everyone in attendance as he shared his near death experience in comparison to his forever living opportunity he found in his relationship with God! His story so moved 2 individuals that they were led to make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior while 2 more were motivated enough to proclaim a renewed commitment to return to God and follow Jesus in all areas of their lives! The remainder of the 2006 schedule for the PA - WEST division is as follows: Raystown Lake – April 1st, 2006 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, Presnell Outdoors, 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 - East 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!