The final 2024 NJBF tournament event decided the Team of the Year, Boater of the Year and Co-angler of the Year. Faced with heavy early rains and variable conditions, the small field of 10 teams …
It is with sadness that we report the passing of Jack Bashford. Jack was a longtime New Jersey Bass Federation member in the K.O.B.A. chapter. Jack was a great angler and a great supporter of …
The registration for the August 18 Lake Hopatcong event is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14. Register early as boat number is based on registration order. Late registrations will not be accepted. Register Here
The third 2024 NJBF tournament event was a slugfest! Fishing at New Jersey’s largest lake, Lake Hopatcong, the 21 teams that showed up for the July 28, 2024, event expected good fishing, but the overall …
LAKE HOPATCONG REGISTRATION REMINDER The registration for the July 28 Lake Hopatcong event is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24. Register early as boat number is based on registration order. Late registrations will not be …
AUGUST 9 LAKE HOPATCONG EVENT – Important Registration Information
Registration for the New Jersey Bass Federation’s upcoming August 9, 2020 point event on Lake Hopatcong is OPEN. The registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 31.
VERY IMPORTANT, the Morris County Park’s Commission has only permitted this event out of Lee’s County Park Marina for 30 BOATS. Any angler who fished in our first event is guaranteed entry into this event so long as they are registered and paid by the deadline. If all register, that only leaves 14 BOATER spots and 17 CO-ANGLER spots to be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. As Hopatcong is a very popular venue, REGISTER EARLY and don’t miss out!!
Also, there is a quick turnaround for our last point event on August 23, 2020 on the Delaware River. Given the timing, the registration for that event is also OPEN and will close on 4:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 16. Register early for both events!
NORTHERN CHESAPEAKE BAY POINT EVENT RESULTS and SUMMARY
There is one word to describe the July 19, 2020 New Jersey Bass Federation event held on the Northern Chesapeake Bay, and that is HOT. Unfortunately, it was mostly the weather and not the fishing that is best described by that word. Of course, that is unsurprising when the NJBF anglers were faced with scalding 98 degree air temperatures and 89 degree water temperatures.
However, as always, some anglers found a way to put up some hefty weights.
Boater Division
The winner of the Boater Division absolutely smashed them. That angler, Manny Cruz of the United Bass Anglers posted a whopping 18.38 pound 5 fish limit to easily win the Boater Division by over 4 full pounds. Included in his creel was the Boater Division lunker winning 5.25 pound largemouth. Second place Boater and Quickfire Bassmasters member Derick Olson also impressive 5 fish totaling 14.03 pounds. Olson also won the Ranger Cup prize based on this finish as the highest finishing Ranger Cup eligible angler. Finishing a close third was Mike Czaplinski with 5 fish weighing 13.53 pounds.
Co-Angler Division
It would appear that the new 2020 co-angler rule change to a 3 fish limit is already yielding success and those co-anglers at the top of the standings posted solid 3 fish weights. The winner was Mike Wotanowski of the Warren County Bassmasters whose 3 fish weighed 9.78 pounds, including the Co-Angler Division winning 4.30 pound lunker winning largemouth. Second place went to rookie Karl Braun of the Big D Valley Bassmasters with 3 fish weighing 8.13 pounds. Third place went to Warren County Bassmasters member Chris Miller with 3 fish weighing 7.07 pounds.
Thanks to all who participated on what was probably the hottest day of the year thus far. Also, thanks for all those who helped us today, especially at the weigh in.
Special thanks to Mike Czaplinski from Keitech, USA who will be providing $50 gift certificates to the top 3 finishing boaters and co-anglers and Keitech buffs to all anglers.
Just a final reminder, registration for the July 19, 2020, Northern Chesapeake Bay event closes at 11:59 p.m. on JULY 10. Register early!
As of now, the August 9, 2020 Lake Hopatcong event is on as scheduled. HOWEVER, we are still trying to ensure that the Morris County Parks Commission permit we have will be honored. That Commission should be getting back to us very shortly on that issue. One thing we have heard “through the grapevine” is that the Commission is not allowing weekend events out of Lee’s County Park Marina. If true, and the Commission will not allow the weekend event, we plan on, with the Commission’s approval, having the event on FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020. Keep you eyes on this page and our facebook page for updates on this.
Finally, great news! We have added a third event to make-up for the postponed May 2020 Candlewood event. Our last event of season will be a one-day event on Sunday, August 23, 2020 on the Delaware River. That event will launch out of the Gloucester City Boat Ramp.
The NJBF held its annual Team Tournament on June 18 and 19, 2020 at the legendary Lake Champlain. Even given the logistical and other challenges presented by the current COVID-19 pandemic, the anglers who participated in the event had two great days of fishing.
For the event, the NJBF followed strict procedures to ensure social distancing and prevent any gatherings of over 10 individuals per New York guidelines. I want to thank all of the participants for following those guidelines and there were no issues or incidents.
The event is both a team and individual event.
The winning team, the North Jersey Bass Anglers absolutely smashed them both days to easily win the event by over 25 pounds. Taking second place with 173.95 pounds was the Big D Valley Bassmasters.
Individually, the event was won by Co-Angler Joe Casale of the North Jersey Bass Anglers who hammered them both days. His total weight was 38.60 pounds. Finishing a close second place was boater Greg Beattie, also of the North Jersey Bass Anglers with 38.41. Third place went to Derick Olson of the Quickfire Bassmasters with 38.12 pounds.
Another purpose of this event is to qualify anglers for the 2020 District 15 TBF National Semi-Finals to be held on October 10 and 11, 2020 on the Hudson River. Qualifying from this event are:
Boaters – Greg Beattie
Derick Olson
Co-Anglers – Joe Casale
Pete Longo
Please note, that we may be able to send the third place boater and co-angler also but will not know for sure until later in the season.
We want to express my sincere thanks to all who attended. The event went quite smoothly given the circumstances. Also, many thanks to all the tournament staff and the individuals who helped out both days and all others for your patience and cooperation.
Special thanks to Mike Czaplinski from Keitech, USA who will be providing $50 gift certificates to the top 3 fishing boaters and co-anglers.
