Nov 15
2018 Tournament Schedule
Below is the tentative 2018 NJBF tournament schedule. Once all the permits are secured it will be final. As we do not foresee any issues on that end, these dates should be considered reliable.
Point Events
April 14 (Sat) Lake Hopatcong (Lee’s Park Marina)
May 6 (Sun) Northern Chesapeake (Rogues Harbor – Elk Neck SP)
Aug 18/19 (Sat/Sun) Oneida Lake (South Shore State Ramp)
Team Tournament
June 14/15 (Thus/Fri) Lake Champlain (Ticonderoga State Ramp)
Aug 09
Submitted by: Nick Angiulo
The New Jersey Bass Federation’s final event of its 2017 tournament season had a lot on the line. Along with the normal prizes awarded to the top anglers in each Division, this event would also decide both the Boater and Co-Angler Divisions’ Anglers of the Year as well as determine which anglers would qualify to fish in the TBF District 15 National Semi-Final event to be held at this very same lake at the end of September.
Pincus with his two best fish
Boater Division
The Boater Division winner likely felt some pressure as he entered this event, as he was not already qualified for the National Semi-Final. Regardless, by winning the event in impressive fashion, Darren Pincus automatically qualified as a Boater for that event. In winning the event, Pincus, a member of the Blazin Bass chapter, brought an impressive five-fish limit, weighing 14.30, to the scales. That weight was enough to com-fortably win the Boater Division and its associate $2,000 first prize.
Cruz with a good one!
Usually second place is not the spot to be, but if you asked second place finisher Manny Cruz, he would likely say, in this case, that he was more than satisfied in that spot. The reason? With his Boater Division second place finish, Cruz moved from fourth place in the overall standings, to the top overall spot, making him the 2017 Boater Division Angler of the Year. For this event, Cruz, of the United Bass Anglers, brought five fish weigh-ing1 3.29 pounds to the scales. His second place Boater Division finish was worth $675.
Third place Boater Ron Schneider
Third place went to Ron Schneider, a member of the North Jersey Bass Anglers. Schneider, who is a much decorated Federation angler, but has not fished the circuit recently, returned to show that he still has what it takes. In that regard, Schneider weighing in 13.24 pounds of bass to take third place and $425.
The Boater Division lunker, a 4.83 pound largemouth, was caught by Bergen Bass-masters angler Mike Rinaldi. For his Boater Division lunker, Rinaldi received $125.
Rinalsi and his lunker
Co-Angler Division
Co-Angler Division Winner Scott Cocioppo
The Co-Angler Division was a highly competitive, albeit difficult affair, as many of the Co-Anglers had a difficult time putting together any consistent pattern on a day plagued with high pressure and heavy boat traffic. Nevertheless, several Co-Anglers put together enough bites to rise to the top.
The first-time NJBF Co-Angler winner of this event was Scott Cocioppo, a member of the United Bass Anglers. Cocioppo posted the only five-fish limit in his Division, and, while it only weighed 7.20 pounds, that weight was enough to take the overall $1,250 prize by nearly one-half pound.
Aspinwall with his lunker
Taking second in the Co-Angler Division was Mike Aspinwall, Sr. Aspinwall is a member of the Gloucester County Bass Club. While he only managed three keepers on the day, his 6.82 pounds was enough to take the $365 Co-Angler Division second place prize. In addition, Aspinwall’s biggest fish, a 3.58-pound smallmouth, was enough to take the $100 Co-Angler lunker prize.
The third place Co-Angler, Mike Lee, a member of the Essex County Bassmasters weighed in two fish for 5.83 pounds. He received a free entry certificate into a 2018 Federation event.
Boater Division Angler of the Year was wide open going into this last event. However, as mentioned previously, Manny Cruz shot to the top based on his strong finish in this event.
The Co-Angler Division Angler of the Year was also an incredibly close race going into the event. Doing just enough to take the top spot was Donny Diggs, fishing as a member of the Quickfire Bassmasters.
In the Boater Division, the Rookie of the Year was Bill Selwasky, Jr. of the Essex County Bassmasters. Along with winning the Candlewood Lake event, Selawsky finished the season in ninth place overall in the Boater Division.
In the Co-Angler Division, Federation newcomer, Ben Dain, proved consistent all year to take the Co-Angler Rookie of the Year. Dain’s overall third place finish also secured him a spot in the National Semi-Final.
Aug 09
Aug 04
Minn Kota launches the only shallow-water anchor that gives anglers control from anywhere in the boat, plus unlocks more water for precise, anchored fishing with a new 15-foot version.
Racine, Wisconsin (8/4/2017) – Using a Minn Kota® Talon® for precise boat control has never been easier. In fact, there are now five ways for anglers to activate the Talon from anywhere in the boat. The newest way utilizes Bluetooth® communication to pair the Talon with Humminbird® units on the boat for total boat control on one console (including the ability to pair Humminbird units with select Minn Kota trolling motors). Anglers can also engage the anchor using a foot switch, with a wireless remote (every Talon comes standard with two), via the new Talon smartphone app, and with the Talon’s built-in control panel.
According to Minn Kota Brand Manager Brad Henry, “When it’s time to Talon down we give anglers options so they can lock on a spot no matter where they are in the boat or their style of fishing.”
Another major advancement is the introduction of Minn Kota’s new 15-foot Talon, the deepest shallow-water anchor ever made. It allows anglers to lock down on more spots to effectively unlock more water.
Hall of Fame angler Al Lindner explains how Talon’s depth delivers results for his multi-species pursuits. “I use it for catfish in rivers, for crappies in the spring, naturally for bass, and in more cases than I ever thought – for walleyes. Yeah, you heard me right, walleyes.”
Also new for 2017 is a clever work light built into the Talon top cap. When fishing in dark conditions, the work light illuminates the entire back deck of the boat to help anglers when rigging and landing fish at night. It has three brightness settings and white or blue LED light options for ideal illumination.
Talon allows anglers to anchor in any condition with three user-selectable anchoring modes – another exclusive feature. The AUTO-DRIVE MODE powers the spike into the bottom with three increasingly aggressive hits. A SOFT BOTTOM MODE is ideal for less aggressive anchoring and easier retraction in muddy or silted bottom. When the wind is blowing, the ROUGH WATER MODE performs three consecutive auto-drive sequences at 10-second intervals for a secure hold when the boat rises and falls in waves.
Talon’s electro-mechanical design keeps the motor above the waterline for silent stealth below the surface. Talon also deploys vertically and out of the way, helping eliminate unwanted tangles when fighting boat-side fish. Also, anglers can add the tilt bracket accessory for easy tilt function for passing under low-hanging obstacles.
In addition to the new 15-footer, Talons are also available in 8-, 10- and 12-foot models. They all feature Bluetooth technology with a variety of color combinations including red/black, blue/black, silver/black, silver/white, all black and all white. The new Talons will be available in October 2017 and will retail for $1,899.99 (8-foot), $1,999.99 (10-foot), 2,099.99 (12-foot) and $2,499.99 (15-foot).
For more information visit MinnKotaMotors.com/NewTalon.
About Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors and consists of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird® is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fishfinders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers and premium cartography products. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as a complete line of Talon® shallow-water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.
About Johnson Outdoors
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas into adventure with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Gear. Johnson Outdoors’ familiar brands include, among others: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™ and Necky® kayaks; Carlisle®paddles; Extrasport® personal flotation devices; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and digital charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Silva® compasses; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; and Eureka!®camping and hiking equipment.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
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