THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511100149
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: JANELLE LA BOUVE
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
There is no need for D. Drew Wheelbarger to spin yarns about a big fish that got away. The 27-year-old recreational fisherman, who lives in Norfolk Highlands, can talk about the ones he really caught.
In fact, his latest tales are about competitive bass fishing. Wheelbarger was among 33 amateur Virginia anglers picked to participate in the Bassmaster Top 100 Tournament, which began on Oct. 18 in the fresh waters of the James and Chickahominy rivers.
Although the competition is primarily for professionals, this year tournament officials gave amateurs like Wheelbarger an opportunity to fish with pros.
While professional fishermen competed against other pros, amateurs competed against each other.
All together, 100 pros and 100 amateurs participated in the four-day tourney.
Wheelbarger, who has been bass fishing for 15 years, said he was nervous about competing, at first.
``The hard part about bass fishing is that it depends on the weather and the time of year, because they move from shallow to deep water even at different times of the day,'' he said.
While a pro fished from the prow of the boat, Wheelbarger and the other amateurs reeled out their lines from the boat's stern.
``It was really good,'' Wheelbarger said. ``It's gave us a chance to meet all these people and get a taste of their lives.''
On the first day of the competition, Wheelbarger placed 69th out of the 100 amateurs in the tournament.
``My pro had the flu really bad and didn't catch anything,'' he said. ``He actually had to drop out of the tournament.''
On day two, Wheelbarger tied with four other amateurs for 14th place.
``I was very happy,'' he said. ``I had hoped to catch at least one fish in the tournament. It felt good. When I caught a fish, the pro would ask me what I was doing to get a fish to bite.
``I out-fished the pro, but he took me to his spot.''
Wheelbarger placed fifth on his third day out.
On the fourth and final day of the tournament, he placed fifth overall. His win netted him a cool $2,000.
``It was a lot of fun,'' he said. ``The pros were really nice.
``They talked to us like we were their best friends.''
The amateurs were required to use artificial lures. Wheelbarger chose to fish with red and purple plastic worms.
``I guess a little more skill is required for artificial lures,'' he said. ``You kind of have to trick the fish.
``The key to fishing: You have to have confidence in what you're doing.''
All 3,000 bass caught in the tournament were released, except for five that died.
Wheelbarger regularly releases what he catches.
``If everybody kept them, there probably wouldn't be any left to catch now,'' he said.
Full name: David Drew Wheelbarger
Hometown: Chesapeake
Fond childhood memories: ``Going to Belhaven, N.C., to fish with my cousins.''
Occupation: Electronics mechanic at the air terminal at Norfolk Naval Station
Hobbies: ``Fantasy football and playing a little tennis. Fishing is a big hobby of mine. It's fun just going to the tackle store and buying things or just looking. The actual fishing is just half the fun. I probably spend more time in tackle stores and reading fishing books than I spend fishing.''
Favorite song: ``I like music by U2.''
Favorite movie: ``Blazing Saddles''
Can't resist: ``Making a trip to a tackle shop like Virginia Beach Sports.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I wish I were more dedicated to one certain thing, like my fishing, so maybe one day I could turn professional.''
Favorite TV program: ``Andy Griffith''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Ruby Tuesday ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB