THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504230150
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Thirteen Hampton Roads anglers will be after the $35,000 top prize in the $195,000 Bassmaster Eastern Invitational, starting Thursday on Kerr Reservoir.
But you can bet that none will be trying harder than Rick Morris of Virginia Beach and Woo Daves of Spring Grove, Va.
For Morris, 33, a strong showing would move him a step closer to the dream he has chased since becoming a fulltime professional bass fisherman two years ago: A spot in the 41-person field of the Bassmaster Classic.
To be held in August on High Rock Lake near Greensboro, the Classic is considered the World Series of pro bass fishing. While first place pays only $50,000, previous winners have said that the title is worth $1 million in public appearances, endorsements and sponsorships.
``I've still got a shot,'' said Morris, the top-ranked Virginia fisherman on the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) trail, ``but I really need a good showing next week.
``I've been aiming for a slot in the Classic ever since I started professional bass fishing. It's a tough road, with lots of pressure. But regardless of what happens, I'll have the satisfaction of knowing I did as well as I could.
``I'm up against some great fishermen, like Rick Clunn, Woo Daves, Roland Martin, Guido Hibdon, David Fitts, Jimmy Houston and Denny Brauer. These guys are really, really good and consistent.''
For Daves, who won the Virginia Invitational at Kerr Lake in 1975, this month's contest could propel him to his 14th Classic appearance. His best finish was second on the James River at Richmond in 1988.
Morris and Daves will have one more shot to qualify for the Classic. Morris ranks 41st and Daves 43rd on the Bassmaster Top 100 pro-am circuit.
The Classic's 41 places go to the ``100's'' top 25 finishers, plus the top five in each of the sport's two divisions, Eastern and Central, as well as the defending champion.
However, 1994 Classic winner Bryan Kerchal of Newtown, Conn., was killed in an airplane crash a few months ago, so there will only be 40 anglers this year.
The approaching contest will be headquartered at North Bend Park near South Hill. Directions: Take U.S. 58 west past South Hill to State Route 4, then State Route 4 south 5 miles to the park.
Contestants will begin launching each day at 6 a.m., with the daily weigh-in beginning at 3 p.m. There is no admission.
All waters of the long, narrow impoundment, also known a Buggs Island Lake, will be open to tournament contestants, who have not been allowed on the lake since April 13.
Other Hampton Roads anglers in the field: Chris Daves (Woo's son) of Spring Grove; Jerry Evans, Jeffrey A. Mitchell, Ivan Morris, Les Ore and Jim Sumrell, of Virginia Beach; Keith Jennings of Chesapeake; Curtis Lytle and Phil Parker of Suffolk; Larry D. Lusk of Gloucester; and Ron Stallings of Suffolk. The field totals 306 anglers. by CNB