MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 FEDERATION MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 8:04 PM by President Tony Going. Treasurer Forest Honeywell, Executive Officer Doug Peabody, Tournament Director Al Purdy, Environmental Director PJ Bartolotto and Youth Director Dennis Foley were in attendance.
The following chapters were in attendance: Bergen, Over the Ridge, Limiters, Quickfire, South Jersey Hawg Hunters, NJ Bass Hunters, Castaways and Gloucester County Bass Club. Northern NJ Bass was excused.
Since there was not a quorum of clubs in attendance, President Going deemed the meeting legal.
The Minutes from the August 10, 2012 Federation meeting were read by Dorothy Honeywell, who was filling in for Recording Secretary Nick Angiulo in his absence. The Minutes were accepted by motion/second.
Treasurer Report was read by Forest Honeywell and accepted by motion/second.
Tournament Director Al Purdy discussed the Greenwood Lake tournament, which was won on the boater side by Rich McCrone and rider side by Brian Chang. Based on the minimal number of fish brought to the scales, Greenwood is definitely not the bass fishery it once was. Al will be checking out other bodies of water for possible inclusion on the 2013 point circuit schedule. If any member has suggestions, they are encouraged to get in touch with Al as soon as possible. The NJBF is also actively seeking tournament sponsors for the upcoming season.
REMINDER:
The last tournament of the 2012 season is on the Hudson River out of Catskill, NY on October 7th. ALL TOURNAMENT ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY AL PURDY NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST. If you are planning to fish this tournament, you have one week to get your completed entry to Al. Don’t delay, mail it in today!
The Flats, Potomac, Kerr, Gaston and Smith Mountain were discussed as possible locations to hold the 2013 Six Man Team tournament. The members in attendance voiced a strong desire to hold the event on the Flats. Al indicated that he would contact the appropriate officials at the Flats to discuss arrangements for the tournament. Since this event will be held at a southern venue next year, a tournament date in early to mid-May is being targeted.
A brief discussion was had regarding the aeration system currently used in the holding tanks at tournaments. Since the NJBF’s top priority at tournaments is the health and safety of the fish brought to the scales, Tournament Director Al Purdy will be looking into aeration alternatives for next season.
Environmental Director PJ Bartolotto updated the membership on the endeavors of the Ramapo College fishing club. One of the Ramapo College teams, Joe Zapf and Jeff Voss, is currently competing at the National Guard/FLW Northeast Regional College Championship tournament. These two anglers, who started competitive fishing as members of the NJBF Junior Chapters of Riggin-N-Jiggin and Next Generation, have already automatically qualified to compete at the upcoming National Guard/FLW College National Championship. Good luck to Joe and Jeff this weekend and congratulations on qualifying for Nationals.
Youth Director Dennis Foley updated the membership on the youth matters discussed while attending the National Guard Junior World Championship (NGJWC) event in August. He then introduced NJBF Junior Angler Matt Christopoulos, a member of Riggin-N-Jiggin. Matt finished 2nd overall in the 11-14 age group at the National Guard Junior World Championship event, which was held on Lake Lanier in Georgia. Matt thanked the NJBF and his Junior Chapter senior advisors for all their support. The 2013 National Guard Junior World Championship will be held on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Dennis updated the membership on the results of the recent New Jersey Student Angler Federation (SAF) championship tournament, which was held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania SAF championship, on Blue Marsh Lake in Pennsylvania. The event was open to high school anglers in grades 9-12. Jake Smith and Richard Pennacchio of Next Generation took first place and will be representing NJ at the National SAF championship event. Congratulations and good luck to Jake and Richard at Nationals.
The tournament date of the 2012 NJBF Junior State Championship event is fast approaching. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 29th from 7:00AM to 2:00PM on Lake Picatinny at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. Since this event is being held on base, all non-military personnel attending the event will be required to show photo identification at the base security gate at the main entrance to the facility. Food and drink will be available to all in attendance. Please come out and support the youth at this event. The winners of this event, one in the 11-14 age group and one in the 15-18 age group, will advance to the 2013 NGJWC . If you have any questions, please contact Youth Director Dennis Foley.
President Tony Going reminded the members that the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Divisional is being hosted by the NJBF. The tournament will be on Lake Hopatcong around the 3rd week of September, 2013. Volunteers will be needed during the week of the event so contact Tony or any officer to sign up. Tony also encouraged all members to attend the tournament weigh-ins and support their fellow anglers at this event.
President Going advised that $1,000 of the Lowrance award received by the NJBF would be donated to the NJBF Youth Program.
Nick Albano of Bergen Bassmasters announced that a raffle of two tickets to the Giants v. Saints football game on December 9, 2012, including lodging for 2 at the Meadowlands Renaissance Hotel, is presently underway. The raffle proceeds will be donated to K9 Solders, Inc., which provides trained service dogs for wounded warriors, and to the Wounded Warrior Project. Also, The Hudson River Challenge Open Bass Tournament to benefit the troops is on October 14th at Catskill, NY. Contact Nick Albano or any member of Bergen Bassmasters for tournament information and/or to purchase raffle tickets.
President Going made a suggestion to cancel NJBF meetings in July and August 2013 due to low membership attendance during these months in the past. This matter is subject to further discussion.
The winner of the Rod raffle was Al Purdy. The proceeds of the raffle were $97.
The meeting was adjourned by Motion at 8:44 PM
Prepared by:
Dorothy Honeywell
NJBF Member
