Mar 02

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Robert “Bob” Gilbert passed away unexpectedly on February 26, 2026, at the age of 71.
 
Bob was a long-time member of the New Jersey Bass Federation.  He was a member of South Jersey Hawg Hunters beginning in 2000 and then joined Castaway Bassmaster in 2010.  In addition to participating in Federation tournaments and helping out at many Federation events, he proudly volunteered his time as a boat captain and mentor for young anglers in the Riggin-N-Jiggin Junior Bassmaster club, where he shared his vast knowledge of bass fishing with young anglers to promote the sport of bass fishing.  Bob was a good friend to all who knew him and will be missed greatly. 
 
Funeral arrangements were made at Hillsborough Funeral Home, 796 US 206, Hillsborough, New Jersey with visitation for family and friends scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026, from 3:00pm-5:00pm. For more information, please visit:  www.hillsboroughfuneralhome.com/obituaries/obituary-listings

Feb 12

Sad News

We have just been informed that, after a long and valiant fight, longtime NJBF member Rob Laufenberg lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026.
 
Rob was a member of several clubs during his over 30 years in the NJBF.  He won numerous events, was on several winning team tournament teams, made several State teams, fished in several Divisional events and TBF National Semi-Finals, and fished in the TBF National Championship.
Rob’s fishing accomplishments were only overshadowed by his courage and spirit, which was indominable. Always with a smile and friendly word, Rob was universally liked by all who were fortunate enough to know him.  He will be missed.
 
Rob’s arrangements are below:
Visitation
Date: Monday February 16, 2026
Time: 4-8PM
Location: Norman Dean Funeral Home, 16 Righter Ave. Denville NJ 07834
 
Mass
Date: Tuesday February 17, 2026
Time: 10AM
Location: St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 15 Myers Ave. Denville NJ 07834

Dec 03

 2026 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Sunday – April 12 – Lake Hopatcong
Sunday – May 3 – Northern Chesapeake Bay
Friday/Saturday – June 19 & 20 – Saratoga Lake (2-day event –  $300 entry)
Thursday/Friday – July 9 & 10 – St. Lawrence River (6-man team tournament)
Sunday – July 26 – Lake Hopatcong 
 
We have two rule changes, otherwise, everything else stays as is.  
The first rule change is that we are eliminating the “first-come, first-served” boat numbering.  We will draw boat numbers by random assignment.
The second rule change (based on club vote) is that the 2026-point circuit final standings will be based on a team’s best 3 events.  In other words, if a team fishes all 4 events, they can “drop” their lowest finish.  
 
To participate in any NJBF events, you must be a NJBF member.  Interested but not a member, contact Secretary Nick Angiulo at nickangiulo@verizon.net for more information.

Jul 28

LAKE HOPATCONG RESULTS

 The final point event on the 2025 season was a good one!  That event, held on July 27, 2025, at Lake Hopatcong under overcast and rainy weather had 23 teams hit the lake, where most found fish willing to bite.  The only difficulty was getting bigger fish, as most teams indicated having no issue catching fish in the two-pound class, but struggled to get the bigger fish that make the difference between an average finish and a top finish.
 
    None of that mattered to the winner of the event, as Al Hudson, fishing solo, smashed a five-fish limit weighing 18.00 pounds.  Amazingly, Hudson indicated losing several other fish that would have pushed his weighed over 20 pounds.  For the win, he received the $2,400 first prize check. 
 
    Finishing an excruciatingly close second was the brother team of Brian Wisniewski and Corey Wisniewski.  That team rode a late big fish bite to post 17.84 pounds, another excellent summertime weight for Hopatcong.  That team received $1,220 for second place.
 
    The team of Mike McMahon and C.J. Tuite parlayed the big fish for the event, a 5.81-pound beast, to anchor their third-place winning weight of 14.43 pounds.  That team received $750 for third place and an additional $460 for the lunker.  The New Jersey Bass Federation Board would like to sincerely thank all the anglers who participated in the events this season.  We hope to see you all again next season.