Bass Classic combines competition and charity

Youngstown-area lakes are the playing fields for a talented and dedicated corps of bass anglers who satisfy their competitive cravings by testing their fishing skills in weekend events patterned after the big pro tournaments.
One of the local tournaments, the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way Bass Classic, has become an annual highlight on local bass anglers' schedules. Hosted annually by Aqua Ohio and presented this year by Whispering Pines Village, the event combines the thrill of competitive fishing with a charitable mission.
The 2006 Bass Classic is set for June 3 on bass-filled Evans Lake. The event is run under a pro-am format. Local tournament veterans enter on the pro side and are teamed with amateur partners whose $300 donations go to the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.
The Bass Classic's primary purpose is to raise awareness about and money for the United Way. It has succeeded in generating more than $65,000 in the past six years.
Phil Dennison, president of Packer Thomas and a five-time amateur entrant, is a big advocate for the United Way Bass Classic.
"I always enjoy this event because of the opportunity to fish with the local bass pros," said Dennison, who fished last year with Al Masaitis of Brookfield. "They provide encouragement to help you land the big ones, they teach you about the sport and their special tactics, and we always have great conversations.
"Although the Classic is a competition, there is camaraderie among all participants because they know the proceeds go to help the United Way and its many agencies. It is great to have fun and help the United Way at the same time."
Joe Lepley, engineering vice president at Altronic, is another regular entrant in the amateur division.
"The local pros provide the amateur fishermen opportunities to hook up with some big bass," he said. "In addition to the great satisfaction that comes from helping our local community through the United Way, the folks fishing in the event get to enjoy some of the finest fishing in the area through the generosity of Aqua Ohio. Given the right conditions, this year's winning team could come up with a five-fish limit approaching 20 pounds.
Amateurs graduate up
Competition has been fierce in past Classics. Last year, Columbiana pro Greg Hromiko teamed with amateur Rob Schwartz to haul around 18 pounds of Lake Evans largemouths to the scales and claim victory.
The tournament has spawned lofty aspirations for several of the event's amateur participants, including Schwartz, who is with presenting sponsor Whispering Pines Village, and Struthers schoolteacher and coach Ron Voitus.
Schwartz is jumping to the pro side after his performance last year on the winning team. And Voitus, who entered the first Bass Classic as an amateur, quickly fell in love with tournament fishing and graduated up to the pro division. He won the Mohawk Valley Open at Berlin Reservoir several weeks ago.
In addition to Hromiko and Schwartz, this year's field includes past pro champs Nick Prvonozac (2002 and 2004), Mike Bolevich (2003) and myself (2001), as well as FLW Tour pro Dan Mansky and many other top-notch bass anglers from around the region.
Kids event on agenda
The Bass Classic schedule once again will include the Kids' Fish & amp; Fun event beginning around 10 a.m. Children of all ages are invited to visit Evans Lake and join in the activities organized by Matt Johnson and supervised by Jim and Carol Held of Alliance.
The Classic is supported by a number of companies. In addition to Aqua Ohio and Whispering Pines Village, sponsors include Harrington Hoppe & amp; Mitchell, Dick's Sporting Goods, Sensus Metering Systems, Vinyl Profiles, Essroc, Western Reserve Land Consultants, Burgess & amp; Niple and Innis Maggiore.
For information about the Classic and the Kids' Fish & amp; Fun event, phone JoAnn Stock at United Way, (330) 746-8494; or Jack Wollitz at Innis Maggiore, (330) 702-0490.
jwwollitz@aol.com