Summersville WV – WV Bass Federation wrapped up its 2022 State Championship on Summersville Lake this weekend. 52 qualified anglers hit the water over the two day event, but Jim Embrey came out on top of the field with a winning two day total weight of 14.13. 

Yet another tough tournament in West Virginia as only four anglers out of the 52 were able to secure a limit both days of the tournament. Jim Embrey was one of the four anglers to be able to catch a five bass limit en route to his first ever State Championship win.

“I still can’t believe it,” Embrey said. “It is certainly a honor to finish on top among the great anglers in the field. I have been trying to win a State Championship for 20 years now.”

On Day 1 of competition there were at 12 limits weighed in and fishing seemed fairly productive for the end of October standards. With fairly similar weather conditions and no changes in water flow on Day 2, fishing seemed to be a challenge amongst the field on Summersville. The key for Jim was staying and hunkering down in a productive area that put him on the path to victory.

“I felt like I found a couple areas in practice on Friday that produced better than average fish on them,” Embrey said. “I knew if I could get them to bite two days in a row I might do well.”

Jim was very grateful for the opportunity WV Bass Federation has provided for the field.

“I want to take the time to thank Bob Harkness, Dave Rice and all the other guys working behind the scenes to make this opportunity possible,” said Embrey. “Another huge thank you to my fellow competitors for their mutual respect and sportsmanship.”

The Top 10 from the State Championship will go on to fish the Semi National Championship on the Monongahela River out of Fairmont, WV that will be hosted by the WV Bass Federation next year.

A full list of results can be found here