High winds caused a move of launch sites which disappointed and aggravated the 192 anglers due to a Small Craft advisory. For safety reasons the launch site was moved from The Selfridge ramp on Anchor Bay to the ramp at Algonac on the North Channel. Despite the change, good weights were brought to the scales.

Overall winner, Jeff Claar of Indiana, had 18 pounds on Saturday and won with 35.21 pounds. Jonathon Fabiszak (Indiana) had 19.13 pounds on Sunday which gave him a total of 31.86 to edge out 3^rd place finisher, Kevin New, also of Indiana. The three of them qualified for the TBF National Championship.

Ryan Winstead finished 5^th with 30.78 pounds and will represent Illinois at the National Championship. On the Co-Angler side Brad Waller of Illinois took home top honors with 24.35 pounds. Second went to Tim Stillions with 22.10 pounds, Kevin Days claims 3^rd with 21.10 pounds and 4^th was Chad Reed with 20.48 pounds. Second through 4^th were Indiana anglers. Bryce Kalen (Indiana), who finished 4^th was the Ranger Cup winner.

Of the 460 bass weighed in 284 were smallmouth. A total of 859 bass were brought to the scales with a total weight of 2,051.91 pounds. Average weight was 2.39 pounds but a 6-pound largemouth was weighed in on Sunday.

Delaware Co-Angler Darrin Toth Sr. won region 13 TBF Semi-finals with an impressive overall weight of 24.68 lbs.

First place boater and Ranger Cup qualifier Mike Morris of Delaware weighed in with 24.20 lbs.

Boater Jonathan Lang from Maryland weighed in an impressive 21.61 lbs.

Co-Angler Chris Lang from Maryland, Jonathan’s brother, weighed in 21.42 lbs.

Nations’s Capital boater Jason Wiseman weighed in 22.07 lbs.

Co-Angler Martin Blanchet weighed in 21.27 lbs.

A total of 463 bass were caught during the tournament. There was excellent fish care by the participants, resulting in only three deceased.

Washington and Oregon TBF organizations have successfully concluded the 2024 season with our season finale. The joint TBF National Semi Finals tournament between Washington and Oregon was held this past weekend on the mighty Columbia River at Clover Island in the Port of Kennewick, WA. Hosted this year by the Washington State Bass Federation with assistance from the Oregon TBF, the event was very well orchestrated, and many memories were made. The weekend started off with the mandatory registration meeting. Pizza was served as we discussed the rules and logistics of the weekend’s events. A few year-end awards were given out then partner pairings were given out. Each pair was dismissed to discuss a strategy for next morning.

Each morning the contestants were greeted with freshly made local coffee. Livewell inspections were swiftly done, and boaters were allowed to launch. The blast off staging area was cast in the orange glow of the morning sun as it just began to break the horizon. First day of the event gave everyone bluebird sky conditions and flat calm waters to enjoy. The fishing however seemed to suffer from these conditions. The contestants all struggled to locate the size and quantity of what they had seen in practice days.

The final day started off with the same spectacular sunrise as the contestants blasted off. The weather as predicted, changed and the wind started to blow. Being on a river system with high canyon walls this is always a concern for our people. Luckily the conditions never got extreme, and all were able to safely navigate the waters. The change in weather conditions paid off in the size and number of fish that were caught. Our top two Co-anglers both weighed in 20+ lbs bags including big fish for the event, a 6.98lb largemouth. Multiple big bags were brought to the scales as both the boaters and co-anglers battled it out to become the state champions. The awards were presented at the base of the lighthouse on Clover Island. The lighthouse overlooks the river and makes the perfect backdrop for photos of our winners and state champions. The excitement level in the Pacific Northwest is high and gaining momentum. Both states are already gearing up for an exciting 2025 season and next year’s national semi-finals event.

VASSALBORO, ME – Maine Hosted the District 17 2024 TBF National Semi-Finals on China Lake. The first weekend of Fall in Maine met anglers with a brisk, overcast and windy weekend.  Maine boater, Nick Deering weighed in a monster 26.04lbs on day one to take the lead. Weighing in 17.20 on Day 2, he was able to pull off the wire-to-wire win with a two-day total of 43.24lbs. New Hampshire boater Matt Thoin placed second with 34.70lbs. Both anglers won top honors in their state qualifying for the TBF National Championship.

Maine Co-Angler Toby Cross wins with a two-day total of 24.51lbs. He just narrowly beat out New Hampshire Co-Angler Jeremy Arnold (24.10lbs) Both will earn a spot at the TBF National Championship for being the top angler in their state.

Nick Deering and Toby Cross

Matt Thoin and Jeremy Arnold