Based on last season’s success, for 2025, the New Jersey Bass Federation is excited to announce it will be continuing the “team-style” circuit.  We will be changing some details to make it easier to remain as a team, and the details are presented below.  This schedule keeps us closer to home, minimizing overall expenses.  Click here for the 2025 tournament schedule, 

As per last year, the 2025 Team Circuit payout will be 95%.  I know of no other circuit with such a high percentage payout. 

Here are the details:

1.   Two-man teams.  Must designate the Boater and the Co-Angler at beginning of season or upon first event fished (for purposes of National Semi-Final [NSF] qualifying).  However, either angler can fish anywhere on the boat, control the boat, etc.; 
2.   Both members must be NJBF members (for a non-member to join it is $60); 
3.   Four overall events, five-fish team limit per event;
4.   Points awarded to team based on tournament finish.  First place = 200; Second place = 199; Third place = 198, etc.;
5.   Each team allowed one angler absence per season.  So, if your partner cannot make one event, you are allowed to fish alone.  Note, the team still receives full team points;
6.    Each team allowed one angler substitute per season.  So, if a partner cannot make one event, you are allowed to one substitute.  Note, the team still receives full team points – the substitute angler receives no team points but is eligible to win cash prizes;
7.   Entry fee will be $200 per team.  Optional cash lunker ($20 per team);
8.   Boat number will be assigned based on date/time of entry received;
9.   Tournament payouts will be, at minimum, to top 3 teams.  With more entries, more spots will be paid;
10.    Minimum of top 6 teams at the end of the season qualify for NSF.  Note that the NSF is still a pro-am style draw event, so each team’s designated Boater and Co-Angler qualify to fish in that division of the NSF.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:

Can an angler fish the season completely alone?

        Yes. We generally are defining a “team” as two anglers.  However, an angler could fish alone as a “team” as there is nothing prohibiting that.  However, if an angler starts the season alone and fishes the first two events alone and then gets a partner, that would be a new “team,” or if an established team has a member fish alone more than once that would be a new team.  For purposes of NSF qualifying, we are awarding the team points, so if a solo angler fishes all season alone and is in the top 6 teams in Team Points at the end of the season, he qualifies (under that circumstance, we would also qualify a co-angler from the next lowest team that did not qualify to keep it even).   

Is there an “Angler of the Year.”

        Yes. The Boater angler of the year and Co-angler of the year will be the two anglers who end up with the most individual points at the end of the season, regardless of how they get them (with one partner, alone, or with different partners).  Those 2 anglers, if they are not already qualified via Team Points, will also qualify for the NSF.   

How does an angler who does not make it via points to the NSF, become eligible to go as a Club Qualifier?

        Any angler who fishes more than 40% of any of our events (which includes the team tournament) is eligible to be selected from their club to go to the NSF if their club qualifies at the end of the season based on club points (13 needed) and other eligibility criteria (at least two anglers who fished more than 40% of events).

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!