2013 Northern Division Wraps Up – Cermak and Indiana State Team Sweep

Dave Cermak Indiana Overall WinnerWheeling, WV (Sept 6, 2013) – The 2013 Northern Division Championship, presented by Cabela’s wrapped up today on the Ohio River. Yesterday, only a few pounds separated 1st to 20th place so it was still anybody’s game. Yesterday’s leader, Dave Cermak of Indiana finishes strong and came out on top. His state team comes from behind to beat out host Ohio in the state team standings.

Cermak finishes the tournament with the largest limit of the whole tournament today, 8 lbs 9 oz, for a 3-day total weight of 21 lbs 5 oz. “It was a tough pre-fish for me,” said Cermak. “But each day of fishing got better for me, the water cleared up and got better and better every day. I was throwing a Strike King Coffee tube on a Bite-Me jig head. I was fishing the current breaks and the rocky shoal points, milfoil grass, then got on a weed pattern the last few days of the tournament.  I stayed in the Hannibal Pool all three days.” Cermak will advance to the 2014 TBF National Championship as a boater for the state of Indiana, which is an EXTREMELY tough state to make state team in. “This is my first state team. I’ve made the state championship 3 years for the Indiana Bassmasters out of Portage, IN. But I had never made state team until this year. I’m so nervous, but it’s a dream come true. I’ve been tournament fishing for about 18 years, working hard and it has finally paid off.” Continue reading

Day Two of the Northern Division Championship Wraps up on the Ohio River

It’s been tough fishing on the Ohio River this week as state teams from TBF’s Northern Division compete for the 2013 division champion titles and slots in the 2014 Federation National Championship.  The race remains tight across the board as anglers struggle to land big bites.  The weights are so close only three pounds separated first through twentieth going into day two.

Climbing from 16th and 17th in the individual standings yesterday, are Dave Cermak from Hebron, Ind., and Jason Myers from Bridgeport, Ohio.

Cermak had a five bass limit weighing 6lbs 13ounces to clutch the top spot.  “There wasn’t much current today and I was fishing totally different water than I did yesterday,” Cermak said.  “It was a whole different deal; fishing different structure that was key.”

Cermak is a non-boater, which means the boater decides on the water and he fishes from the back of the boat.  “I had two great boaters, and I have two patterns going, so hopefully one of them will work tomorrow.” 

Cermak traveled up Saturday for pre-fishing but had a rough few days leading into the tournament. “I threw everything at them.  Then, I started to figure things out; I’ve stuck with it and it’s been working.” 

It wasn’t until the final day of pre-fishing he started to put things together.

They’re just hitting one certain bait and I seem to have the right color and weight combination; I’m just doing something different than everyone else but with the same bait.” 

Jason Myers sits in second just four ounces shy of first.  He had a five bass limit weighing 6lbs 13ounces to make his tournament total 12lbs 8ounces.  “I’ll run the same pattern tomorrow as I have the last two days,” Myers said.  “This is my home water.  For this time of year, we’re actually doing pretty well out there.”

Myers is also following the hydraulic prediction and says the water is fairly stable now, which should improve the bite or at least keep it the same. 

Home “lake” advantage could come in to play this week as other anglers have struggled to figure out the river Myer’s calls home.  “I think if I can bring in a limit and do exactly what I’ve done the last two days, I’m going to be right there in contention.”

The advantage of living close to tournament waters not always plays out.  But, this week Myer’s and the Ohio state team are looking to lock it up. 

The Ohio state team is leading in the state team standings with 111lbs 1ounce.  The Indiana state team is close in second with 105lbs 12ounces.  Tomorrow, the Northern division showdown will conclude as the 2013 division champion titles are claimed.

South Dakota Makes First Appearance as the Northern Division Showdown Begins

TBF’s Northern Division state federations traveled to the Ohio River this week to kick-off the 2013 Northern Division Championship presented by Cabela’s, the Ohio Bass Federation and the Wheeling Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.  The Northern division, which once had six states, welcomed the newly founded South Dakota Bass Federation in its first appearance at the championship event.

TBF state federations qualify twelve anglers to compete on their state teams at this no-entry fee event.  After three tournament days, the top two anglers from each state earn spots in the 2014 Federation National Championship.  The 2013 Northern Division Champions will also be crowned in both the individual and overall state team standings.

Full story and results to follow.

FLW/TBF High School World Championship–My Experience As a Boat Captain

Taken from Cass Caldwell’s Blog

One of the best things to happen to our sport in recent years was the creation of competitive bass fishing at the high school and collegiate levels. This move has really energized our sport, especially amongst our younger generation who will take the torch from us before we know it, and today I learned that they are definitely up for the challenge.

I had the honor and privilege of being a boat captain for the FLW/TBF High School World Championship of Bass Fishing on majestic Caddo Lake.  If you have never been on Caddo you are missing a real treat.  It is one of the most scenic and unique lakes you will find, but its bass fishing can be either feast or famine.  Continue reading