Lake Hopatcong Tournament Results
The New Jersey Bass Federation concluded its 2021 tournament season on New Jersey’s largest lake, Lake Hopatcong. Today’s event was held under overcast and windy conditions and much was on the line, including the race to angler of the year in both the Boater and Co-Angler Division as well as the race to qualify for the District 15 National Semi-Final that will be held in September on the St. Lawrence River.
Overall, in both Divisions, solid numbers and weights were brought to the scales, especially for a mid-summer event.
Winning the Boater Division was Russell Awad. In taking his first NJBF victory, Awad posted a solid 13.75 pounds of bass, including a three-plus pound smallmouth. Second place went to Manny Cruz, who capped of a stellar season with a close second place finish in the event. His total weight was 13.30 pounds. Third place in the event went to Wally Peer with five fish weighing 12.04 pounds. The Boater Division lunker was caught by Kevin Runo with a 4.24 pounds largemouth.
The Co-Angler Division winner dominated the field all season. In winning this event, Joe Casale posted a hefty three-fish limit of 8.20 pounds, easily taking the first prize by almost one and one-half pounds. Casale also had the Co-Angler Division lunker, a 3.65 pound largemouth. Second place went to Scott Cocioppo whose three-fish limit weighed 6.86 pounds. Close behind with 6.22 pounds was Lou Basciani, good enough for third place.
Attached are photos from the event,
