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,

The second NJBF point event of the season was noteworthy for a few reasons.  First, there was an unusually small field.  Next, there was a first-time winner.  And last, there was the unrelenting wind.  Regardless, this event held on June 27 proved to be a tremendously close and successful tournament.  Even with the hot temperatures and sustained 15 mph winds, most anglers came to the scales with good-sized fish.

In the Boater Division, the winner was Mason Bell.  This was Bell’s first Federation win and he did it in style, posting a five-fish limit weighing 15.25 pounds, winning the event by just under 7 ounces. Second place in the Boater Division went to Derick Olson who, despite being hampered by engine issues, still posted five fish weighing 14.81 pounds.  Finishing a close third in the Boater Division with five fish weighing 14.49 pounds was Nick Angiulo.

The Boater Division lunker went to Donny Diggs with a 4.04 pound largemouth.

In the Co-Angler Division, where there is a 3-fish limit, there was a larger spread.  The winner of the event was Joe Casale with three chunky fish weighing 9.55 pounds, winning by nearly two pounds. Second place went to Chris Miller with three fish and 7.61 pounds. Third place with two fish, including the 4.30 pound Co-Angler Division lunker, was Mike Bell with 6.83 pounds.

Thanks to all the anglers who helped us out in the morning and at the weigh-in.

See you at the last event of the season, the July 25 tournament on Lake Hopatcong.

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