Low Lake and Light Weights; Virginia and Dye Out in Front

Day One Leader

South Hill, Va.-September 21, 2011 The lake is low and the clear bite is tough on day one of the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Division Championship on Kerr Lake in South Hill, Va.  TBF anglers representing seven states face off this week to crown this year’s division champions in the individual and state team standings.  Anglers hoped the hurricane that swept through a couple weeks ago would fill the lake, but it didn’t, which has made anglers fight for the bite.  “The fish are there; the guys can see them,” TBF President and weighmaster, Robert Cartlidge, said.  “They’re just having trouble landing the bite.”  Tough water or not, nearly 415lbs of fish were caught today on Kerr Lake, and Virginia State Team brought in a whopping 88lb 4oounces of it to take the lead after day one of the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Division Championship. Continue reading

Maine Makes it Happen; First-time TBF Eastern Division Champions! Acox Snags the Overall Win to be Three-Peat National Qualifier

Bruce Acox Division Champion

All week the Maine state team has said they weren’t here to take second place. Again.  Today, they went all out to shake the record books with their first TBF Eastern Division Championship Title as the final day of the 2011 Eastern Division Championship came to a close on Lake Sebago, in Casco, Maine.  The home team advantage didn’t help their less than stellar second day performance, as Massachusetts state team closed the gap to less than two pounds.  But, the hunger for their first championship title prevailed.  In the individual standings, Bruce Acox crept up from second on day one to lead it after day two.  Today, Acox tacked on another solid day of fishing to be named the 2011 Eastern Division Champion.

This week 16 TBF State Champions advance, the top two from each state and Ontario, Canada, to the 2012 Federation National Championship to compete against state champions from TBF’s six other divisions across the U.S., as well as, two Boat US Collegiate Champions.  The no-entry fee national contest will award thousands in cash and prizes, and the esteemed “Living the Dream” prize package to include paid entry fees as an FLW Tour Pro for a year with use of a wrapped Chevrolet Truck and Ranger Boat. Continue reading

Bruce Acox Sails into First; Maine’s Lead Takes a Beating through Monsoons on Lake Sebago

Day Two Leader

Bursts of monsoons today helped some and hindered others on day two of the 2011 Eastern Division Championship presented by Ranger Boats at Point Sebago Resort, in Casco, Maine.  Nearly all 96 anglers walked fish across the stage today, so rain or no rain; anglers are definitely starting to put things together out there.  Tomorrow, 16 will advance to the national contest and one angler and one state team will walk away 2011 Eastern Division Champions.  Sliding into the top spot in the individual standings is Bruce Acox from Raymond, N.H.  Holding on to the top spot in the team standings, but just by a hair, is the day one leaders from the home state of Maine. Continue reading

Home Team Advantage? So Far So Good for Scott Guimond and Maine State Team

Day One LeaderSeptember 14, 2011-Casco, Maine- Nearly 650lbs of bass came across the stage today, coupled with all-smiles fishermen to kick off the 2011 Eastern Division Championship presented by Ranger Boats at Point Sebago Resort, in Casco, Maine.  96 anglers from seven states and Canada went head to head today to hedge their ways to the top spots overall and in their respective states.  This week’s championship will be a three day contest to advance 16 anglers to the 2012 Federation National Championship and crown this year’s Eastern Division Champions.  The first place finisher overall and the top finishing state team will earn the esteemed champion titles, the bragging rights and all the glory. Continue reading