It was a full weekend of qualifiers for the WVBF.

Congratulations to Josh Balser for winning the Southern Qualifier at Sutton Lake on Saturday with an impressive  bag weighing 12.71lbs anchored by big fish for the event weighing 3.23lbs. Congratulation to Stonewall Bassmasters for winning the team event. We will be taking 10 boaters and 11 co-anglers to the state championship from this event.

Congratulations to Jason Suter for winning the Northern Qualifier on the Ohio River on Sunday with a nice bag weighing 10.26lbs. Big fish went to Gary Parsons with a nice small mouth weighing 3.84lbs. Congratulations to the Ohio Valley River Rats for winning the team event. We will be taking 15 boaters and 14 co-anglers to the state championship.

The State Championship will be held on the Ohio River in Moundsville WV on October 18-19.

The Host motel will be the Holiday Inn Express in Moundsville. Local number is 304-845-8455. We will have a block of rooms at a special rate. When booking ask for the state championship block to receive special pricing.

Saturday morning started with 47 boats from West Virginia and Virginia. Water conditions on the Ohio River were unusually clear with minimum current, with water temperatures running in the upper seventies. These conditions are unusual for fishing on the Ohio River for late September. Fishing conditions were tough for most anglers, but some of our local fisherman figured it out. We only had four anglers that caught five fish limits both days. The overall champion caught limits both days, for a total of 20.92 pounds, and the runner-up caught eight fish for two days, with the largest bag for the tournament weighing 12.08 pounds on the second day.

Special thanks to Scott Whitmore, President of the Virginia Bass Federation, for bringing a great bunch of anglers to West Virginia. Fishing was tough, but a good time and great fellowship were had by all.

Another competitive  WVBF Buddy Trail season came to an end this past Sunday in Morgantown on the Mon river. It was the closest finish in recent years. The top three teams were separated by only 2 points. Congratulations to the team of Billy Payne and Joey Walker on winning the 2025 buddy trial with 472 points and earning a spot on the 2026 State Team. In second place, Kenny and Trey Anderson finished with 471 points and in third place, Jason Gillespie and Jeff Reed finished with 470 points.

Thanks to all the teams that participated in this year’s Buddy Trail season and we look forward to another great season next year.

Congratulations to Robert and Lane Flint for winning the Buddy Trail Championship on the Mon river at Palatine Park with a great bag weighing 12.51 lbs. Thanks to all the teams that participated in this year’s event. Thanks to all our sponsors and special thanks to the Marion County Commission. Without the Commission’s support, this event would not have been possible. Thanks again!