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| Prostaff
Team Member Overview : Eric Picarella |
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| Email Address:
zx18150jetdrive@icqmail.com |
|
 As
a child Eric spent countless hours learning to fish while
chasing trout in local streams. Early on while targeting
trout, Eric found that smallmouth bass also inhabited
some of these streams and would strike a variety of both
live and artificial baits. Falling in love with the power
and aggressiveness of smallmouth bass, he turned his attention
to learning as much as possible about bass fishing. It
didn't take long before Eric targeted both smallmouth
and largemouth almost exclusively. |
 Eric
fished small electric motor only lakes throughout central
and eastern PA form a canoe for years before buying his
first boat. With a 14' Jon boat that Eric customized by
adding a front casting deck he continued to learn more
about bass fishing techniques and the behavior of the
largemouth bass. He feels that because of not having an
outboard and having to cover a lot of water with only
an electric trolling motor he learned much from having
to fish the water available to him very thoroughly. Eric
also gives much credit publications such as Bassmaster
and In-Fisherman Magazines for teaching him the fundamentals
of bass fishing. |
 A
few years later when he could afford a larger better equipped
boat, Eric bought an aluminum Skeeter SX 17 powered by
a 70 H.P. Yamaha outboard. Eric has been a Skeeter/Yamaha
owner ever since. "I purchased my first bass boat,
a Skeeter form Lakeside Marine, Harrisburg PA, the service
and professionalism of the sales staff was impressive,
I have since made good friends at the dealership."
Once Eric had a bass boat capable of fishing larger waters
he concentrated on fishing as many different types of
bass habitat available. He fished reservoir, man made
and natural lakes and the Susquehanna River just near
his home. He learned how bass use different cover and
structure in different types of water and expanded his
techniques every year, concentrating on problem areas
until he felt confident he could be consistent under varying
conditions. "I knew I wanted to compete in tournaments
but wanted to hold off until I felt I could be competitive."
Eric would fish a particular body of water where he knew
there would be tournament and then look at the tournament
results comparing how he did compared to the leaders.
Once he felt he could be competitive he joined his local
B.A.S.S. Chapter, Mountain Valley Bassmaster. Eric soon
found that not only could he compete but he fished better
when under the gun. "I stay focused better most of
the time when I am under pressure." Eric made many
friends through his 1st year with Mountain Valley Bassmaster
and his 1st year fishing the PA B.A.S.S. Federation Dist
II tournaments.
One thing Eric believes makes the whole thing so much
better is that his wife Jody also fished the tournaments
as a non boater. Eric and his wife are also partners in
any buddy tournaments that they enter and have always
been competitive. When Jody isn't competing in the tournaments
she normally travels with Eric to support him. "
I don't know what I would do with out her, she's my best
friend and my fishing buddy. " Eric say's when things
aren't going as well as he may want, Jody is always there
to keep him focused.
" She normally pre-fishes
with me, and there are times when I have missed something
and she has pointed it out. She's a good angler. " |
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| Field
Test & Pro Staff Affiliations |
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BASSIN'
USA™ - http://www.bassinusa.com/
Bass fishing information about largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, tournament bass fishing, fishing tackle and equipment,
and fishing destinations, reports, guides, techniques,
magazines and books and a whole lot more.
Tournament Force Tackle Systems - http://www.TournamentForce.com
Featuring the Finest Tournament Proven Products &
Accessories
Furnace Bay Angling Products - http://www.furnacebay.com
High Quality Fishing Rods For the Competitive Angler
Gofishin.com - http://www.gofishin.com
A web site offering quality fishing tackle and gear at
discount prices.
Southside Bait and Tackle - kenguide@ptd.net
A full line tackle shop and guide service located on the
world famous Susquehanna River.
1051 S. Front St., Sunbury, PA 17801
570.988.0360
Susquehanna Fishing Tackle: http://www.susquehannafishingtackle.com
Providing anglers with quality products and services at
fair prices with uncompromising dedication. Very knowledgeable
guide service.
1226 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603
800.814.7433
B.A.S.S. Life Member
In Fisherman Life Member
North American Fishing Club Life Member
Operation Bass Member |
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Articles and "Hot"
Tips can be found with the links below: |
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| 2002 |
7th
Place Finish PA B.A.S.S. Regional Team Tournament @ Lake
Raystown, PA
Qualified as Boater PA B.A.S.S. State Classic
Amateur Champion Citgo Bassmaster Northern Open Tournament
@ Potomac River, MD
37th Place Finish Amateur Division Citgo Bassmaster Northern
Open Tournament @ Hudson River, NY
8th Place Finish Overall in Points Amateur Division Citgo
Bassmaster Northern Open Tournament Trail
Secured Pro Status for 2003 Citgo Bassmaster Northern
Open Tournament Trail.
Angler of the Year, Mountain Valley Bassmaster
6th Place Finish PA B.A.S.S. State Classic
Qualified as Boater PA B.A.S.S. State Team, Will Represent
PA B.A.S.S. During B.A.S.S. Federation Eastern Divisional
Tournament. |
| 2001 |
Joined
Mountain Valley Bassmaster
Joined The Pennsylvania B.A.S.S. Federation
6th Place Finish PA B.A.S.S. District 2 Tournament @ Keuka
Lake, NY
6th Place Finish PA B.A.S.S. District 2 Tournament @ Susquehanna
River, PA
17th Place Finish PA B.A.S.S. District 2 Tournament @
Susquehanna River, PA
4th Place Finish Overall In Angler of the Year Points
PA B.A.S.S. Dist. 2
Angler of the Year, Mountain Valley Bassmaster
Qualified as Boater PA B.A.S.S. State Classic
Voted as Tournament Director, Mountain Valley Bassmaster |
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