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Classic, fun time nears
From toddlers to touring professionals, bass anglers will gather June 4 on Aqua Ohio’s Evans and Pine Lakes for the 17th annual Muransky Companies Bass Classic and Kids Fish ’n Fun.
The fundraiser for the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley renews the annual competition to crown the best bassers at the two Aqua Ohio lakes. Among the VIPs fishing this year are Cleveland Browns guard John Greco of Boardman and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni.
What’s more, the tournament features a new scoring system that promises to have the field of more than 100 anglers on pins and needles throughout their fishing time, including defending pro champs Dave Williams of Canfield and Tony Holzer of East Palestine.
Organizers have developed a real-time scoring system. Under the new format, every keeper bass landed will be scored and factor into the standings immediately. All competitors will know exactly where they stand relative to the competition at any point during the tournament. Leaders and backmarkers alike will feel the pressure as the standings jump and juggle.
Patterned after the system used to score the Major League Fishing Youngstown competition filmed last summer and currently airing on the Outdoor Channel, the catch-weigh-release system is much more fish-friendly than conventional weigh-ins.
To make it work, the United Way tournament organizers are recruiting volunteer judges. They will observe aboard their assigned boat throughout the fishing day, and oversee the weighing of all bass caught on that boat. Judges also will record each catch on a paper chart and in the online ActionTracker.
With seats in each of the competition boats, the corps of judges will experience up close and personal the tactics, decisions, successes and failures of the Bass Classic contenders.
Spots remain on the judge roster. Those who are interested in serving as volunteer judges can contact Roxann Sebest at the United Way office, 330-746-8494. All judges will serve aboard each pro-am team’s bass boat and participate in all Bass Classic festivities, including the dinner for competitors, sponsors and guests catered by Outback on the banks of Evans Lake on June 3.
Children’s fishing event
Children of all ages, meanwhile, will enjoy the annual Kids Fish ’n Fun event at Evans Lake on June 4. It will be on the banks of the lake while the pro-am Bass Classic is contested on Evans and Pine lakes. The location is at the end of Calla Road near The Lake Club.
Activities will include fishing and other waterside activities starting around 10 a.m. Bait and a limited supply of fishing equipment will be provided. Young anglers are encouraged to bring their own fishing tackle.
All participants must be accompanied by an adult and must register at the site. Food, water and soft drinks will be provided thanks to Wedgewood Pizza, Aqua Ohio and other supporters. Each participant will receive gift items donated by local vendors, including the Fin Feather Fur Outfitters store in Boardman.
Over the years, the Bass Classic that Aqua Ohio initiated in 2000 to raise money for the annual campaign of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has grown to raise more than $300,000.
There are very few better ways to spend a fine Saturday in June.