The final 2024 NJBF tournament event decided the Team of the Year, Boater of the Year and Co-angler of the Year.  Faced with heavy early rains and variable conditions, the small field of 10 teams took to the vast river in search of bigger than average bass.

One team found the right ones and took the event with an impressive summer weight for the river of 12.20 pounds.  That team, consisting of Mike Keller and Derick Olson, took the top prize of $1,100.  Integral to the victory was the team’s 4.35-pound largemouth kicker fish. That fish also proved big enough to take the $200 lunker prize.  

The second-place team of brothers Brian and Corey Wisniewski also posted an impressive weight, especially since they only brought four fish to the scales.  Their weight of 10.43 pounds, including a 3.90 largemouth, was worth $560.  

Third place went to the son/father team of Manny and Nestor Cruz with five fish weighing 9.21 pounds.  That weight got them the $340 third place prize.  

As mentioned earlier, this event also decided the end of year awards.  In that regard, congratulations go out to the Team of the Year, son/father team of Iam Martin and John Martin.  Congratulations also go out to Boater of the Year Mike Keller and Co- angler of the Year John Martin.

Thanks go out to all the teams/anglers who fished with us this season, it was a blast!

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Jack Bashford. Jack was a longtime New Jersey Bass Federation member in the K.O.B.A. chapter. Jack was a great angler and a great supporter of the Federation.  He will be missed.

The registration for the August 18 Lake Hopatcong event is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14.  Register early as boat number is based on registration order.  Late registrations will not be accepted.

Register Here

The third 2024 NJBF tournament event was a slugfest!  Fishing at New Jersey’s largest lake, Lake Hopatcong, the 21 teams that showed up for the July 28, 2024, event expected good fishing, but the overall weights brought in exceeded expectations.  The winning team had nearly 18 pounds, and four other teams have over 16 pounds.

The winning team of Cody Barry and Tyler Schulte had an epic day on the lake, bringing a hefty 17.92 pounds to the scales.  That weight was anchored by a 5.32 pound largemouth, which just missed big fish of the event by 0.03 ounces.  For the victory, the team shared $2,300.

Exactly one pound behind with 16.92 pounds, was Ron Schneider fishing alone.  Originally fishing with his father Ed, who cancelled that morning, left Ron with the entire second place check worth $1,240.

Third place with 16.24 pounds was Bob Stock and Mark Barish.  Their limit was bolstered by the lunker-winning 5.35 pound largemouth.  For third place the team split $640, and an additional $420 for lunker.

The last event of the season is approaching fast!  It is on August 18, 2024, on the mighty Delaware River.  Register early!