These two Big Pool Bass Masters members bounce fishing tactics and lure presentations off each other like ping-pong balls in a clothes dryer. Seldom, does either angler falter on Deep Creek Lake, the site of the Maryland Bass Federation Nation’s first Tournament Trail event of 2007.

On June 23rd, both Shives and Mills took first place honors in their respective divisions. They were on a roll. The week before, they won the Fishers Of Men tournament on Deep Creek then turned around that evening and entered Hub City Bassmaster’s open night tournament and placed second. That’s almost 30 hours of straight fishing, a sign that these anglers are serious contenders and love plying these high-country waters.

On Saturday, Shives rode his Pro Craft to the same series of up-lake docks and grass where he caught many of his fish the previous week. Armed with a homemade 1/8 oz. black jig and finesse worm, Andy had his limit by 9 AM. "Most of the fish I caught, I could see cruising the bank in shallow water, confided Shives, " I’d flip the jig ahead of them and watch them take the bait."

Andy weighed in 12 lbs. and 13 ozs., to take the first place slot in the boaters division.

Further down lake, Andy’s best pal Kenny plied the McHenry cove area with boater Joe Devoe. Like Shives, Mills stuck to a jig and worm, but after going fishless for the first part of the morning, the duo headed south to Turkey Neck. At 9 am, Mills had his first fish in the boat and a limit by noon. One of those five fish was a fifteen inch smallmouth bass and at 2:30, Mills landed his kicker fish and culled the smallmouth. Kenny ended the day with 12 lbs and 10 ozs. to lead the non-boater division.

Dick Brown found some nice fish in deeper water during practice and was biting his fingernails hoping other contenders hadn’t found the same.

Setting his Skeeter boat down on a secondary point in the Turkey Neck arm of the lake, Brown was pleased to see he was all alone. With his boat positioned in 5 to 8 feet of water, the Hub City Bassmasters member tossed a brown and orange crankbait and ticked the high points of grass over a submerged grassbed. His first fish came to the boat at 8:00 am and by 1:00 pm, Brown was culling fish. Dick brought 3 largemouths and 2 smallmouths to the scales that weighed 12 lbs. and 4 ozs. and a second place finish in the boaters division. Brown stated that he wanted to thank Lowrance Electronics and Skeeter boats for their support.

Brent Nelson landed the third place boater spot with 12 lbs and 3ozs. The Deep Creek Bass Anglers member concentrated on grass and docks in shallow water. His first three fish were boated early on a 4 inch watermelon Senko rigged wacky style in the Green Glade sector of the lake. A few more of his fish bit a 1/4 oz. Bigmouth jig with a Case Plastics Craw in Roadkill color. Nelson wishes to thank the good people at Mare Marine, Lowrance Electronics, Bigmouth Lures, Case Plastics and Ken Penrod’s Life Outdoors Unlimited for their continued support.

Rider, Moo Bae is always consistent on Deep Creek and this tournament was no exception. The WestMar Bassmaster was paired with Ed Riley. "Ed put me on the fish to win, but I’ll settle for a second place finish," stated Bae. "I really enjoyed fishing with him." Most of Bae’s fish hit a Senko in 8 to 15 feet of water near Turkey Neck. At 11:30 Moo had his limit and then stopped fishing so Ed could have a better chance of filling his livewell. Moo’s bag of largemouths weighed 11 pounds even.

Rounding third on the riders side, John Burdette weighed in a hefty bag of fish for 9 lbs, 3 ozs. John also had the lunker of the tournament (riders side) with a largemouth that weighed in at 4 lbs 1 oz. Burdette fished the Penn Cove area with boater Rich Weldon. He had his first fish at 10 am and limited out at noon, skipping green pumpkin, purple fleck Senkos to docks and pontoons.. John wishes to thank Battery One and Burdette Bros. Pontaic of Hyattstown for their support.

Herb Fazenbaker from Garrett Bassers landed the lunker fish on the boaters side with a largemouth that weighed 3lbs 5 ozs.

The MBFN wishes to thank Tournament Director, Kelly Comer and his crew for a well run top-notch tournament on one of Maryland’s most beautiful highland reservoirs.