Well for the third year in a row, Ontario TBF, (Canadian Bass Anglers Federation). Missed the opportunity to join New York TBF and Pennsylvania TBF, due to border restrictions. None the less 25 boaters and 25 Co- Anglers made the trek to the Host City Port Colborne Ontario, and Sugarloaf Marina on the shores of Lake Erie.
Practice started Wednesday and the competitors got on the water to get a feel for the lake. Friday evening’s Registration and rules meeting held at the Belmont bar and grill ran smooth and was full of excitement, with Anglers anxious to see who they would be paired with for the weekend.
Saturday’s start arrived with great weather conditions and flight one blasted off at 7:00 am followed by flight 2 at 7:20 am. As the scales closed on opening day Andrew Shufelt was leading on the boater side with a massive 4 fish limit of 20.38 lbs. In second place was Mike Loughlin a ways back with 17.42 lbs. On the co- angler side, CBAF President Sean McLaughlin held a narrow lead after weighing in a 4 fish limit for 13.80 lbs
On Sunday we woke up to high winds and big waves, so we moved the launch to the Upper Niagara River. A good portion of the field had little experience on the river or none at all. So, an interesting day was in store for everyone. A strange day for weather with clouds then sun then rain and of course some blustery winds. At the scales the talk was positive from the anglers who had better than expected days.
When it came time to announce the winners Mike Loughlin on the boater side made a huge comeback by weighing in a day 2 bag of 4 fish for 14.14 lbs for a total of 31.56 lbs catching day one leader Andrew Shufelt who put 31.13 lbs on the scales over two days. As close as it gets and a big congratulations to Mike Loughlin on the win and a trip to the TBF National Championship next February, location TBD.
On the co-angler side the race was getting tight after some impressive early weights from the field. Day one leader Sean Mclaughlin was the last to hit the scales. Sean put his 4 fish on the scale for a total of 11.71lbs for a two-day total of 25.51 to claim the championship narrowly edging out second place co angler Jiancheng Guo who brought the biggest second day bag to the scale of 15.38 lbs for a two-day total of 24.06.
To end off the day Mike Loughlin also running a Ranger boat won the ranger cup money, a big thank you to all our sponsors and host City Port Colborne, and of course all of our volunteers who make each event run smooth and safe.
