NCO Academy instructor claims Wisconsin bass fishing title

      A Fort McCoy NCO Academy cadre member has been recognized as the best bass fisherman in the Wisconsin State Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) 2002 Federation tournament.

      Master Sgt. Paul Shenep, the NCO Academy Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) Course Manager, won the state tournament during an August bass fishing tournament at Sturgeon Bay, Wis.  He has been stationed at Fort McCoy since May 2000.

Master Sgt. Paul Shenep practices his bass-fishing technique at Fort McCoy's Big Sandy Lake. (Photo by Rob Schuette)

      "I like the competition aspect of the tournaments," Shenep said. "I enjoy being on water, fighting the elements and figuring out what works and what doesn't."

      To effectively compete, Shenep said anglers must be prepared.  Anglers need a map of the fishing area -  in the case of this competition Green Bay (the body of water adjoining Lake Michigan) -- as well as talking to local fishermen, visiting with bait and tackle store owners and pre-fishing the water body to learn the best places to fish and the best bait to use. 

      Shenep said in lieu of talking to a local fishermen he partnered with someone who knew Green Bay well. That came in handy when they had to navigate waves about 12 feet high, about as tall as a single-story house.

      Shenep said the support he received from the Lord and the local fishing group, the Sparta Black River Bassmasters, also was key to his success.  The Bassmasters scheduled their fishing tournaments so he and several other NCO Academy personnel could participate in their off-duty time between course cycles.

      Practice time also includes fishing at Fort McCoy.  Shenep said fishing for large  mouth bass is a quiet diversion for personnel who need a break from the time demands of their busy working schedule.

      "I do fish on the North Flowage, Squaw Lake and the Sandies, especially Big Sandy Lake," Shenep said. "My grandfather and father took me fishing, and I also take my kids out fishing every chance I have."

      Shenep, who breaks into a big smile at the mention of the word bass, became a B.A.S.S. Federation member in 1999 when he was at stationed at Fort Riley, Kan. He finished second in a club competition.

      During the tournament at Sturgeon Bay, Shenep caught five bass with a combined weight of 15.545 pounds.  The biggest fish was 5.305 pounds. 

      He will  be a member of the 12-man state team that will compete in the National B.A.S.S. Federation Northern Divisional Tournament in September 2003 at Ontario, Canada.  Anglers from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ontario, Ohio, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa also will compete.  This is the final event of five regional amateur competitions held annually across the nation.

      The top angler from each state advances to the 2004 CITGO B.A.S.S. Federation Championship, amateur bass fishing's most elite event. 

      Each of the 46 state champions and anglers from Canada, Japan, Italy, South Africa and Zimbabwe will compete at the championship held the following year (2004) at a location to be determined.

      "Bass fisherman need confidence and a good attitude," Shenep said. "They also need to keep a sharp hook, fresh fishing lines, and, for the weedy conditions around here, I like to use a plastic worm."     

      Shenep said he also likes to pass on his passion for fishing to the next generation.  The Sparta Black River Bassmasters sponsors a number of events or donate funds to organizations to help support bass fishing and the community.

      For more information about the state bass organization and tournament, go to the Web site www.wisconsinbass.com/state_tournament.htm or to the Black River Bassmasters at www.geocities.com/blackriverbassmasters/.