fishbyte.net is proud to support our men and women of the Armed Forces. We dedicate this page to those who are serving our country far from their favorite fishing holes.

1st Place Warrior Parker Tootill & Hal Abshire

2nd placeTeam, Jimmy Hayes & Michelle Little

It wasn’t about how many bass ended up in the nearly 150 livewells on Jordan Lake last Friday, April 23. Instead, it was day to express a thousand, heartfelt thank-you’s to the servicemen and women of our country. As soldiers piled off boats and weighed in fish, organizers and boaters made sure each had gotten their limit of praise.

The Fifth Annual Warriors On The Water festivities kicked off two days before with opening ceremonies at Sports U.S.A. on Fort Bragg. Angling pros from the FLW, B.A.S.S. and WBT traveled from all across the US to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the hundreds of soldiers in an evening filled with fun, food and entertainment. Kevin VanDam and Woo Daves highlighted the evening with autograph sessions while milling with the crowd. Generous sponsors flooded soldiers with prizes and giveaways.

10th place & TSGT David Roberson Big Bass Award Winners, Mark Rogers & Steve Thackery, 13.10

“This is the most-important tournament all year,” stated Hal Abshire, one of the event organizers, “for very obvious reasons. Without what these men and women do for us, there would be no fishing, or boats, or clubs. It’s so important we show them a thank you the best way we can.”

Fishbyte.net NC Guard Veteran & Soldier at blast-off

The event has turned into three busy days and teams up fishermen and a military partner for the tournament day. Fishermen come in from all over the United States to participate, donating their time, travel and expenses. Soldiers are paired with their angling partners that first evening and, in most cases, discussions about strategies begin immediately. “These soldiers really get swept up in this event and that’s so important. We try hard to show them what they give to us each and every day,” Abshire noted.

On Thursday, the organizers toured some of the sponsors and fishermen for a VIP Day on Pope AFB and Fort Bragg. “We wanted to show the civilian side what the military men and women do on a daily basis,” stated David Blanton, organizer of the volunteers and tournament day activities.  “This has become a very popular part of the event for people to participate in.” One hundred thirty eight sponsors lined up to assist in making this year’s event the biggest ever, while Anglers’ Channel.com, Fishbyte.Net and BassEast.com provided full coverage of activities. Many of the sponsors, such as Deep Creek Lures, KeelShield, Skeet’s Custom Rods, were on-hand throughout, providing their backs and assistance when needed.

US Army Golden Knights

On Friday, volunteers lined up in the dark serving coffee, water, food and, most abundant, a big welcome to all attending. Each boat received an American Flag and a yellow ribbon put on boats for the big day. The FLW and Mack Lowe donated the stage and weigh in equipment to host a professionally-run tournament. “Thanks to so many sponsors, we are able to put on this event each year without charge to anyone,” noted Abshire. “I will be the first to tell you that none of this could ever take place if it were not for our fantastic W.O.W. Committee. We meet six to eight months out to put this event on, and we have to have a dedicated crew!”

Just after daybreak on Friday, it was finally time to become “warriors on the water”. Boats, gear, soldiers and boaters hit the water on Jordan’s New Hope Ramp. As three flights sat waiting just off the launch docks, The US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team thrilled the crowd with a smoke-filled, 60 mph jump onto the dock area. Bob Cunningham, coordinating the military and boaters, watched as his organizing efforts blasted off. Blanton stood out on the blast-off boat in the bay calling numbers as nearly 150 roared to life and skimmed to that first hole.

As boats whizzed under the Hwy 64 Bridge and back into coves and bays, fishing strategies began to play out. It was a confusing day for most teams of boaters and military, as fish were caught in transition. Early on, The Fishbyte.Net signature, On-The-Water action coverage found anglers using soft plastic, anything chartreuse, along banks to find a few small keepers. Other boat teams worked spinner baits in deeper holes. KeelShield’s Scott Smith and son, Jackson, 12, provided vessel navigation and spotting for Fishbyte.Net photography during the shoot. The father and son team had traveled from Illinois days before to support and pay tribute.

Henry & Marie Smith of Deep Creek Lures with Hal Abshire (center)

The key to teasing decent weight in the first hours was all transition, but Jordan was going to make it a tough day. A sunless day would make indecision a big part of the bass brain during the competition.

James Poirrier (www.jamespoirrier.com) and Army serviceman, Parker Tootill, figured it out first and best. Using a combination of special baits from Deep Creek Lures, Vertical Lures, and Secret Weapon Lures, the pair scored a stunning, 5-fish, 21 pounds 3 ounces come weigh in. “We caught fish most of the day,” reported Poirrier to the crowd. “It was tough, but I had a great partner. Tootill was nearly speechless as Abshire, Blanton, and Cunningham piled the winners’ arms with prizes.

“This has been an amazing day for me, for all of us here,” stated the winning serviceman. “I can’t tell you how much this means. We’re proud to do what we do for all of you.” All four branches of service were represented at the tournament, and the Army teams walked away with most of the bragging rights in 2010.

The servicewomen had no intention of being left out of the weigh in limelight, and Army’s Michelle Little and angler, Jimmy Hayes, ran hot on the winners’ heels. Mack Lowe announced the tight race at the scales, a superb, 5-fish 20 pounds 12 ounce sack. “I’ll be back,” stated a jubilant Little. “I wouldn’t miss this great event.”

Jackson & Scott Smith on the Fishbyte.Net Coverage Boat

Another Army team, Will Blanton and Brian Monroe, worked their magic for a 5-fish, 18 pound 7 ounce haul for third. The Marines lit up the board with a fourth place, Brian West and Matt Yates, 5-fish, 15 pound 9 ounce limit. Army rounded out the top five when Butch Kartesz and Celia Nowicki found 5 fish and 15 pounds 8 ounces.

The solo lunker award for the event was a stunner. The TSGT David Robinson Big Bass Award was awarded to tenth place winners Mark Rogers and Steve Thackery. The partners dragged a 7 pound 6 ounce monster from the waters as part of their 13 pound 10 ounce total. The honorary award is named after a top angler and friend to many fishermen. Robinson was renowned for his support and encouragement of fishing across the region.

The Warriors On The Water organizers will set the date for 2011 later this year, but efforts began even before the final fish weighed in Friday. “This tribute grows each year all by itself as more and more people line up to give these men and women a hug and a thanks for their service and sacrifice,” ended Abshire. “It’s all about our military and what these brave men and women accomplish.

Editor’s Note: One of the best testimonials we heard on the water Friday involved a fishing soldier who had just arrived home from combat three weeks prior to the tournament. During a quiet moment in a small, back cove, the serviceman spoke. “You know, this is the first time my brain has been at peace in three weeks. Thank you.” Folks… that’s what this effort is all about and why it’s so important. I can’t say it any better than that brave soldier did.

Servicemen anglers checking in

Fishbyte Interviews Kevin VanDam & Woo Daves!  
April 21, 2010

Two Bass Master Classic Champions and icons of the sport, Kevin VanDam and Woo Daves, recently took a moment during the busiest time of their season, to answer a few questions for Fishbyte.net. The two legends are among many pro-anglers that are taking part in a three-day event honoring veterans with the Warriors on the Water Tournament. The event commenced Wednesday night on Fort Bragg with dinner, free giveaways, and soldiers having a chance to meet some of their Bass fishing heroes.

Fishbyte.Net VP of Field Operations Fletcher Sargent & Pro Angler Kevin VanDam at W.O.W. Opening Ceremonies

Fishbyte:  How do you feel about being here at this event?

KVD: “It’s an honor and a privilege. It’s really an obligation.  I have two thirteen year-old sons and they love anything military.  Their heroes are the pilots and tank commanders and sharp-shooters.  They are infatuated with the military and I’m proud of that.”
Daves:  “I’m proud to be here and I’m proud of our military and the job they are doing.”

Soldiers had plenty of time to talk with Pro Anglers

Fishbyte:  Is it what you expected?

Daves: “It’s bigger than I thought it was going to be.”
KVD:  “Yes it really is.  I have been trying to get here for three years and I’m really glad I finally did.”

Fishbyte:  Will you be back next year and will you encourage your fellow pro-anglers to attend?

KVD:  “I would like to attend next year. It is a tough time for professional angers as we are right in the middle of the busiest time of our year.”
Daves:  “I will be back next year.”

Organizer Hal Abshire (center) with Pro Anglers Kevin VanDam & Woo Daves

Fishbyte:  What is the one thing an average angler who has limited funds can do to win more tournaments?

KVD:  “Improve their casting accuracy definitely.  If the average angler can learn to place their cast anywhere with a soft presentation, their results will definitely improve.”
Daves:  “Stick to the basics and don’t try too much at one time.  I see anglers changing baits all the time, sometimes after only three or four casts and that’s not right.  Get confident at one or two things and move up from there.”

Fishbyte:  How can the average angler improve their casting accuracy?

KVD: “Go out in the backyard and practice.  Especially during the off-season.  Practice getting it in one tight spot.”

Pro Anglers fielding questions from soldiers

Fishbyte:  What bait or other resource do you encourage average anglers to spend more time with to improve their results?

Daves:  “Learn to fish with a plastic worm.  It sounds easy, but a lot of guys can’t do it.  A worm will always get more fish.”
KVD:  “There are a lot of resources out there now.  Internet sites are one of the best.  There are also a lot of good books, videos and seminars at Bass-Pro that people can take advantage of.”

WOW Organizers & Staff, Pro Anglers, & Supporters & Sponsors

Fishbyte:  Well I can’t think of a better way to honor our service-members than by taking them out fishing.  Thank-you gentlemen for answering a few questions and attending this event.

Daves:  “It’s no problem, keep up the good work.  We cannot do enough for our military service members.  They are our heroes.  I’m doing two other military tournaments next month and I’ll be back next year.”
KVD:  “That’s right.  I’m no hero.  If it were not for our military, I would not be able make a living Bass fishing.  It’s not a right; it’s a privilege to live in America.”

Kevin VanDam, Woo Daves, Jeffrey Thomas, Kelby Waldrip, Monica Altman, Randy Yarnall, Mark Rogers and Robert Walser were among the Pro’s attending Warriors on the Water.  Each Pro paid for their own transportation and lodging and spent a long night signing autographs, taking pictures and assisting with the giveaways.  Sponsors, including Deep Creek Lures, Zoom Bait Company, Powers Swain Chevrolet, A.K. McCallum, Strike King Lures, Bass-Pro and the Tackle Box help make Warriors on the Water possible.  Pro-Angler and custom rod designer, Skeet Bennett also designed several custom camouflaged rods and donated them to the cause.  Over 150 boats will blast-off Friday on Jordan Lake for the highly-anticipated tournament.

Fishbyte.Net will be there as a supporter providing their signature On-The-Water coverage from blast off to well after weigh in. Photos of Friday evening’s event are already posted in the Photos section on this site. Look for more action photos and stories beginning Friday evening.

Pro Bass Angler Woo Daves To Attend 5th Annual WOW Event
Fayetteville, NC
March 9, 2009

Warriors on the Water announced this week that Woo Daves will be a special guest of honor at the 5th Annual Warriors on the Water Bass Fishing tournament April 21-23, 2010. Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee Woo Daves and his wife, Patty, will be attending the Ice Breaker event at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  In the world of professional bass fishing, Woo is a top competitor, winning the Bassmaster Classic title in 2000.

A proven champion, Daves is a winner in many areas of Bass Fishing, leading to his induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2009.  He was awarded Angler of the year in 1999 and 2000 for the Bassmasters Eastern individuals and has had 50 Top 10 Finishes in the Bassmaster’s tournament trail.

Woo supports many community events; he is involved with the Pro-Am Teams’ pier for Handicapped Fishermen program – with Four Piers built,   Hopewell Virginia Optimist Club Kids Fishing Tournament, and he hosts the Annual Burrowsville/Nascar fishing tournament.  This  year he adds Warriors on the Water, where he will meet many of the soldiers and anglers who will be attending this year's event.

Warriors on the Water is a non-profit organization, founded by three combat veterans, as a way to show continued appreciation to the men and women who serve today.

For more information about the event, visit the Warriors on the Water web site at www.warriorsonthewater.com.

NC Guard Anglers Hit Baghdad Lake

You can take the North Carolina National Guard anglers out of the country, but you can't take the fishing out of the Guard servicemen and women. After nearly a year of service in Iraq, members of the state's National Guard began arriving home in January. Along with them come stories of where they found fish and a few minutes to get away and enjoy a favorite pastime.

The North Carolina National Guard’s 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, which includes 26 units and approximately 3,800 citizen soldiers began returning home in January. The brigade is composed of units from North Carolina and West Virginia. It was nicknamed the "Old Hickory" brigade, in honor of Andrew Jackson, the original division being composed of units from areas where he lived. The brigade began its second deployment to Iraq in April 2009.

Two soldiers called up from West Virginia units, Sgt. David Drahos and Sgt. Bill Noice, are police officers in Wheeling, W. VA in their civilian life. The pair were located at Camp Liberty at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad during their tour. The grounds included a number of large lakes the two made good use of. According to Sgt. Drahos, once they found out they could fish, a rush order for fishing poles and baits were sent back home. Families rallied and shipped the pair what they would need.

Sometimes fishing can be tough, and this pair could never fully retreat from the fact that combat could be minutes away. They learned to cast while shouldering weapons at the same time. Fish caught were mostly a different species of Asp, imported by the former ruling party as sport fish. They are found in the lakes and canals in the surrounding area.

Both Sgts. are headquartered in Camp Dawson, W. VA and will return to their unit in July. They were called up last March to report for deployment in April with the 150th (part of the 30th).

For now, both Drahos and Noice are glad to be back chasing bass in West Virginia! A Fishbyte.Net salute to both for their service!

June Event To Thank Military Members
February, 2010

We don't generally cover saltwater fishing events (for now), but there is one event in June we have to get word out about. Military Appreciation Day (MAD) will hold its fifth annual outing June 5 at Morehead City, NC. Last year, the group's 90 volunteer vessels carried over 600 military men and women and their families out for a day of saltwater fishing as a way to say thank you for their service to all of us.

What began as a small gathering back on May 20, 2006, Rodney Carroll, Dan Smith, and John Polosky have grown the day of tribute into one of the largest such saltwater events. This year's fifth gathering will take place on the Morehead City Waterfront. The three organizers expect over 1,000 participants. Activities, entertainment and food are planned to round out the day.

Volunteers are needed from vessels and captains to set up and tear-down. Those interested in volunteering or donating may sign up at the group's web site at www.militaryappreciationday.org. The event is free to active military, Guard and Reservists and their families. Don Gray, Site Committee and PR Chair can also be reached at dgrayofMAD@aol.com or 919-366-3119.