Submitted by: Nick Angiulo
Let’s face facts; bass fishing in New Jersey is difficult. A lack of large bodies of water along with high fishing pressure makes catching bass in New Jersey a unique challenge. Among the most challenging bodies of water to catch bass in New Jersey is the Delaware River. While the river can be productive during the cooler weather of the spring and fall, in the summer, the fishing can be hit or miss at best. At the New Jersey Bass Federation’s second point event of the season, held on July 24, 2016 on the river, it was mostly a miss, as many of the participating anglers found it difficult to catch even one 12 inch-sized fish. Nevertheless, and as always, some of the anglers solved the puzzle and brought representative weights to the scales.
Boater Division
The angler who most successfully adapted to the mood of the fish on tournament day was Darren Pincus. Pincus, from Flemington, New Jersey and a member of the Blazin’ Bass chapter, posted one of the few five-fish limits in the event weighing 10.50 pounds. That weight gave him a more than one-half pound spread over his nearest competitors. For his hard-earned victory, Pincus received the guaranteed minimum Boater first prize of $2,000.
Finishing in second place in the Boater Division was Pincus’ Blazin’ Bass teammate, Mike Keller. Keller, from Newton, New Jersey, also posted a five-fish limit which totaled 9.90 pounds. Keller received $565 for his second place finish. Close behind in the Boater Division was Derick Olson, with his second consecutive third place finish. Olson, from Honey Brook, Pennsylvania and a member of the Quickfire Bassmasters, had the only other five-fish limit of the event, which weighed 9.72 pounds. Finishing further behind in fourth place was Ryan McGinty of the Big “D” Valley Bassmasters. McGinty, from Tabernacle, New Jersey had three chunky fish weighing 8.00 pounds. Bother Olson and McGinty received Boater Division “Free Entry” certificates into future events.
Co-Angler Division
When fishing is tough, it is the anglers in the Co-Angler Division that have the largest obstacles to overcome as they are often not in a position to have the first opportunity to present their lures to the fish. Nevertheless, the Federation has produced significant numbers of highly talented co-anglers. In that regard, the winner of the Co-Angler Division is this event is usually one of the most consistent Co-Anglers on the circuit. While it has been quite some time since his last Federation victory, he seized the moment to capture his second win and the minimum guaranteed one-day Co-Angler Division first prize of $1,250. That Co- Angler, Charles (C.J.) Tuite, from Succasunna, New Jersey and a member of the
Warren County Bassmasters, grinded out three fish weighing 5.31 pounds, which easily captured the top spot in the Co-Angler Division.
Second place went to Michael Williams who is from Camden, New Jersey and a member of the Castaway Bassmasters. Williams managed two keepers weighing 3.74 pounds, worth $280. Third place went to Randy Hutchinson, from Sewell, New Jersey and a member of the Mega Bass 6 chapter with two fish weighing 3.08 pounds. Fourth place in the Co-Angler Division was captured by Pete Longo from Neptune, New Jersey and a member of the Clearwater Bassmasters with two fish for 2.91 pounds. Bother Hutchinson and Longo received Co-Angler Division “Free Entry” certificates into future events.
Miscellaneous Notes
1. Only three anglers brought five fish limits to the scales and only 49 fish totaling over 93 pounds were weighed in. Forty-eight of the 49 fish were released alive.
2. As winners of the event, Darren Pincus and C.J. Tuite are eligible to compete at New Jersey’s district 2016 TBF National Semi-Final event so long as they compete in the remaining Federation event.
3. By virtue of being the highest placing eligible Ranger Boat owner in the event, Darren Pincus will receive $250 in Ranger Cup bonus money.
