Brian Baker
Team USA
15 - 18 yr Champ

 Ohio Jr. Bass Federation Championship

An apt description for the 2007 Ohio Jr. Bass Federation State Championship sounds very similar to the old song about the U.S. Mail service being unimpressed with a few of Mother Nature’s shenanigans. The original site for the tournament, Delaware Lake, was closed three days before the tournament because of flooding. Yes, in the middle of the ’07 drought, the OJBF state tournament faced cancellation due to fast-rising floodwaters that devastated parts of northern Ohio. On the eve of the tournament, a violent storm raced through the area, causing tornado sirens to activate. Thanks to Michelle Turner of the Ohio Department of Parks & Recreation, the tournament remained scheduled by shifting the event to nearby Alum Creek Lake. For an explanation of flood plain science, you may call Rich Carter of the Division of Wildlife for a quick lesson as to why Alum Creek Lake was three feet low and Delaware was six feet high.

The big news in this story, however, concerns the fishing, not the weather. The pre-dawn darkness encompassing the New Galena ramp at Alum Creek Lake temporarily hid the faces of 88 Jr. Anglers and hundreds of anxious parents as new fishing partners introduced themselves, located boat captains, and loaded their tackle in the 44 bass boats that silently waited for the 7:00 AM blastoff.

Five hours later the boats returned just in time to greet the scores of pleasure boaters arriving for an afternoon of wasting gas. With every boat trailer parked and the weigh-in completed, the scoreboard showed sixteen Jr. Anglers brought fish to the scales. Sitting atop the 11-14 age group was the 2005 runner-up, Casey Singree of the Perry County Jr. Renegades with a pair of bass weighing 3.96 pounds. The big bass of the tournament was also Casey’s, a 3.10 lb. largemouth caught in a cove just behind the launch area. Boat captain Pete Mathews of the Cool Running bass club netter the lunker for Casey, insuring his trip to the 2008 National Guard Jr. World Championship next August. Casey’s family had camped at Alum Creek Lake and pre-fished for a couple days, courtesy of Brad Bond, the Perry County Anglers Youth Director, who loaned the Singrees his boat.

“It was a white spinnerbait I threw close to the weeds. I can hardly wait for the national championship. I want to go after it right now!” was the answer Casey gave when prompted to reveal the secret lure. Casey’s parents are Tracy and Jessica Singree of Triadelphia, Ohio. 13-year-old Casey is an 8^th grader at Morgan Jr. High School.

The 15-18 age group champion didn’t have a runner-up on his state tournament resume, but he had what counted most. Brian Baker of the Team USA Jr. Club brought in one bass that weighed 2.68 lbs. His margin of victory was .24 lbs over the runner-up and only .60 lbs more than the 3^rd place Jr. Angler who was the 2007 defending champion. Brian was so nervous before the tournament that he forgot his lifejacket and had to borrow one from another boater. In a unique situation, Brian’s club youth director, Ron Gerstenmaier, is also his high school principa. Brian is a student at Norton High School. Following the awards ceremony, Ron had Brian by the arm and excitedly beseeched the OBF state Youth Director Doug Clifford to explain to Brian what he had just accomplished.

“Doug, Brian doesn’t get it yet.

After the in-depth description of the expenses-covered trip to the 2008 NGJWC, the banquets, the star treatment, the gifts, the famous anglers he would meet, and the chance to win a $5,000 college scholarship, Brian looked like a guy with an earthquake in both hip pockets. All he could say was “Oh man! Oh man!” Brian is a sophomore at Norton High School and is the son of Carl and Cheryl Baker. David Lane of the Fayette County Bassmasters was Brian’s boat captain.

In the 11-14 group, the runner-up was Brittney Spicker of the Ashland County Jr. Club. Garrett Carr of River Valley was 3^rd, Connor Duncan of Walnut Springs was 4^th, and Christian Cerovski of the Perry County Jr. Renegades and a teammate of Casey’s finished 5^th. Brittany’s bass weighed 2.46 pounds. Kim Vogel is the youth director for the first year Ashland County Junior Anglers.

Runner-up for the 15-18-year-olds was Tyler Peveto of the River Valley Jr. Club with 2.42 lbs. The 2007 event was Tyler’s second year to compete in the state championship. Tyler’s club youth director is Mike Hipp. His adult chapter club also can brag about member Kevin Wells, who had a fair fishing season of his own. Kevin was a boat captain for the event also. Tyler Berger, the 2007 defending Jr. champion, of the S.S. Minnows Jr. Club was 3^rd with a bass weighing 2.28 lbs. Fourth and fifth place belonged to a pair of Fayette County Jr. Club teammates. Josh Becker took 4^th with 1.83 lbs, and Ryan Ely completed the day with a 1.6 pound bass.

Several special guests attended the event. Professional angler Marcia Rubin, who fishes the WBT trail, fished the event in S.S. Minnow youth director Dave Shaver’s boat. She weighed the largest fish of the day, an 11.06 pound carp. I’m sure pictures of the golden trophy can be found on her website www.reelady.com. Marcia has taken and active role in club and state Jr. Angler events for the last three years. Marty Chitwood of Knox Marina brought a trailer full of a mouthwatering Ranger Boat that was on display the entire day. Marty’s son Josh was also a competitor in the tournament.

Jr. Angler C.J. Shaver of the S.S. Minnows Jr. club is already a product representative for a pair of tackle companies. C.J. reps for the GBlanks Custom Rods Company and presented a custom made rod worth over $150.00 as part of the first place prize package. The Delos Tackle Shack got wind that C.J. needed a reel for that custom rod and they donated a new Pfleuger Summit baitcasting reel. You can contact these nice folks at www.deloscustomtackleshack.com . Another product C.J. obtained for prizes is from Lure Tamer. These small plastic lure holders protect line guides by providing a safe way to transport your rod & reel outfit when you have a lure tied to your line.

John Norris, founder of the Fishing for Jesus family tournament trail, provided the hot dog grill, 600 bottles of water, and served as head chef for the day. John also delivered an inspirational message just prior to the awards ceremony. John is not an OBF member, but his efforts on behalf of youth events and causes are tremendous.

Matt Frondorf of Buckeye Baits in Cincinnati set up shop in the parking lot and sold his line of hand-poured baits. He would have had to sell two tons of plastic to earn a dollar because he donated nearly that amount to the kids.

Tackle donations were also made by the following stores and companies: Wal-Mart in Reynoldsburg and Zanesville, Bass Pro Shops in Cincinnati, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Buckeye Outdoors in Hebron, MC Sports, Shakespeare, Culprit Worms, Plano Tackle Company, Mann’s Bait Co. and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Trophies were supplied by Frank Picha. 

G & J Pepsi Cola of Zanesville donated five cases of soft drinks, and the Conn’s Potato Chip Company of Zanesville donated 108 bags of Conn’s Chips. The Ashland County Bass Club also donated two cases of soft drinks.

Doug Clifford
Youth Director
Ohio Bass Federation
13804 St. Rt. 37 East
Crooksville, OH  43731
740-342-1766