The first NJBF point event of the season was a two-day event held on June 4 and 5 at Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. Those who know the lake find it to be among the best fisheries in the northeast and a location where you can catch good numbers and above-average weight largemouth and smallmouth, often in the same spot. While the lake was a bit stingier than it could have been, the event was a great success and the weights and numbers were excellent.
In the Boater Division, the winner was Manny Cruz. Cruz led wire to wire and his two day total of 34.43 pounds was enough to take the top prize by over 1.50 pounds. Second place in the Boater Division went to Mike Czaplinski who made a hard charge on Day 2 and finished just short with 32.91 pounds. Rounding out the top three boaters was John McAloney with 31.70 pounds. The Day 1 boater lunker went to Cody Barry with a 5.78 pound largemouth and the Day 2 boater lunker went to Peter Warner with a 6.14 pound brute of a largemouth.
In the Co-Angler Division, where there is a 3-fish limit, the weights were truly impressive. Winning that Division with a weight of 21.74 pounds was Casey Noble. Close behind in second place was Joe Casale with 20.47 pounds. Third place went to Joe Venuto who posted a weight of 19.68 pounds. The Day 1 co-angler lunker went to Joe Casale with a 5.47 pound largemouth. The Day 2 co-angler lunker was a 4.50 pound largemouth caught by Joe Venuto.

The overall standings are posted on the results page and some photos are below.
Thanks to all the anglers who helped us out in the mornings and at the weigh ins.
See you at the next event, the June 27 tournament of the Northern Chesapeake Bay.

2021 Team Tournament Recap

What set up as a slugfest turned into a grind. The 2021 New Jersey Bass Federation Team Tournament could have been epic. Held on May 13 and 14 on the Northern Chesapeake Bay, home of giant bass, most thought that we had hit the water at just the right time. However, nothing is ever easy in bass fishing. A full week of below-average (and downright cold) days and nights had the fish in a serious negative feeding mode. To make it more difficult, there is a 15-inch minimum size limit this time of year. However, some anglers unlocked the secret and managed generally low, but respectable weights.

The overall winning team was the Quickfire Bassmasters. This team led from wire to wire and easily outdistanced the second-place team. Its overall two-day weight of 88.18 pounds was over 23 pounds more than the second-place North Jersey Bass Anglers. Leading the way for Quickfire was boater, Derick Olson, with a two-day total of 26.16 pounds. This weight was enough for him to also claim first prize in the individual portion of the event. Quickfire also had the top Co-Angler in Dave Williams who had 18.01 pounds.

As stated above, Derick Olson won the individual portion of the event. Finishing in second was boater Ray Szymd of the Clearwater Bassmasters with 21.90 pounds followed by boater Jarrett Kuipers of the North Jersey Bass Anglers with 21.68 pounds.

In addition, the top three boaters and top three co-anglers qualified to fish in the 2021 District 15 National Semi-Final event. The boater qualifiers are: Derick Olson, Ray Szymd, Jarrett Kuipers. The co-angler qualifiers are: Dave Williams, Ed Tomosi (Big D Valley Bassmasters); Mike Bell (Quickfire Bassmasters).

For final Individual standings CLICK HERE

For final CLUB standings CLICK HERE

Candlewood Lake Registration Open

The point tournament season is almost here.  Register online at https://njbassfederation.com/online-registration/ for the upcoming Candlewood Lake event.  Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on May 28, 2021.  Remember you have to be either a member of a NJBF club or another State’s TBF-affiliated club to be eligible to fish.

2021 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Below is the tentative 2021 NJBF tournament schedule.  It should be an excellent season.  We may add an open buddy event in April.

DAY                    DATE                    LOCATION                         TYPE

Thus/Fri              May 13 & 14       Northern Chesapeake       Team

Fri/Sat                 June 4 & 5          Candlewood Lake              Points

Sun                     June 27               Northern Chesapeake        Points

Sun                     July 25                 Lake Hopatcong                Points