FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The water level has everything to do and them some for leader Mark Garner at the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional.
That’s not surprising since the tournament is underway on the Monongahela River. Bass fishing success on moving water fisheries hinges on the rise and fall of the current.
Garner caught only 3 bass, or 2 shy of a full tournament limit. His catch weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces. The small catch is attributed to environmental factors called out by Garner, who is a skilled river angler.
Tropical Depression Bill is flooding Texas, while the system is slinging rain bands as far northeast as West Virginia.
“The storm will affect us in one of two ways,” said the West Virginian. “Either we’ll get too much water or just the right amount.”
He added, “If it changes too quick the fish won’t have time to react to the change.”
Garner wants what he describes as the first scenario. That is a gradual runoff of rainfall into the river. That, he says, will move the fish nearer the shoreline. They will be easier casting targets along the cover.
The second scenario might make the already challenging fishing even worse. Too much rain could force the release of water from Tygart Dam, which flows into the tournament waters on the Monongahela River.
“That water will be very cold and muddy up the water,” he said. “Both conditions combined could shut down the fish.”
It’s too early to know which prediction will happen due to the uncertainty of Bill. A high probability of rain is in the forecast through the conclusion of the tournament on Friday.
Behind Garner is West Virginian Chad Brinegar with 5-12. Pennsylvania’s Daniel Gray is third with 5-11 and J.J. Dickens is fourth with 5-8. Rick Svoboda of Maryland is fifth with 5-7.
Winning the overall tournament is only one of several goals. Another high honor is qualifying for bass club angling’s premier event. The highest finishing angler from each of six competing states advances to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Virginia leads the state standings with a cumulative weight of 33 pounds, 12 ounces. Maryland is second with 32-11 and West Virginia is fourth with 27-15.
The winning state team is awarded a Skeeter/Yamaha boat, motor, trailer and accessories package valued at $33,340.
Another competitive element is added tomorrow. State championship high school teams will compete alongside the adults to hone their skills at the higher level. Cumulative weight caught is added to the overall score of the state team.