LAKE HOPATCONG – RESULTS
The New Jersey Bass Federation’s final point event of the 2022 season was its annual trip to New Jersey largest self-contained Lake, Lake Hopatcong. When the anglers arrived, they were greeted with a different lake than usual, one lacking the normally expansive and fertile weed beds that provide for thousands of acres of cover for the bass in the lake. Without the weeds, many anglers took to the plentiful docks and hard structure to catch their weight. And Hopatcong pumped out the fish!
BOATER DIVISION
The Boater Division winner by nearly three pounds was Greg DelRusso. In posting his first-ever NJBF victory, DelRusso posted an impressive five-fish limit weighing 13.97 pounds. His winning bag was anchored by the Boater Division lunker winning 3.78 pound largemouth.
DelRusso was followed by Dave Williams who also posted his best NJBF point tournament finish. Williams’ best five fish went 12.02 pounds. Close behind Williams was his clubmate, Donny Diggs, who had five fish weighing11.81 pounds.
CO-ANGLER DIVISION
The Co-Angler Division was won by a “new” co-angler. Following mid-season boat issues, NJBF President Mike Keller was forced to fish as a co-angler. Proving to be a quick study, Keller smoked the field with a three-fish limit weighing an impressive 9.51 pounds, including the 3.61 pound Co-Angler Division lunker.
In second place also with a good limit, was Mike Wotanowski, with 8.07 pounds. Third place was taken by Scott Cocioppo with 7.13 pounds.
Attached are the overall results and some photos. The first three photos are, in order, the overall winners, Boater Division winner Greg DelRusso and Co-Angler Division winner Mike Keller.
