The Wisconsin Bass Federation hosted the TBF National Semifinal for District 9 which included the top anglers from Wisconsin and Minnesota. The tournament was held September 9-10 on Lake Winneconne in Winneconne, WI. The new TBF National Semi-Finals program pits top grassroots anglers from each state in a “close to home” weekend event with neighboring states for significant cash prizes and advancements.
Rick Bosshard – NSF Boater Champion – WI
The anglers could not have asked for better weather for the tournament with clear skies and light winds both tournament days. TBF anglers launched from Lake Winneconne but with the light winds many made the half hour run to Lake Winnebago to chase smallmouth bass and it paid off.
A total of $18,440 with 118.5% payback was awarded in cash and prizes. The top ten boaters and coanglers in the 53 boat field divvied up $11,700 in total cash payback, not including the $500 Ranger Cup award and the $1,000 Evinrude E-tec award for the winning boater (if he/she runs a 2012 or newer Etec Evinrude).
On day one, Jim Barczak, from Minnesota took a slight lead on the boater’s side with a limit of bass weighing 14.90 pounds. Not far behind was another Minnesota angler, Scott Bonnema with 14.70, three from Wisconsin finished off the top five, Rick Bosshard, Tim Schulz and Dustin O’Shaughnessy, respectively.
Clint Seehusen from Minnesota led the co-angler side with a limit of bass weighing 13.07 pounds. The Wisconsin leader was Mike Cottrell with five fish totaling 9.99 pounds.
After two days of competition, Rick Bosshard was the boater champion of the 2017 District 9 NSF event. Bosshard caught another five fish limit weighing 13.49 pounds to make his two day total 27.95 pounds. He received a $2,600 paycheck and a slot in the 2018 Federation National Championship.
Scott Bonnema came in fourth overall and was the highest finishing Minnesota boater. Bonnema caught a limit both days for a two day total of 27.16 pounds. He scored a $610 paycheck for his two days of work and will also advance to the national event.
Mike Cottrell – NSF Coangler Champion – WI
On the co-angler side, Mike Cottrell of Wisconsin came in with four fish weighing 8.36 pounds to make his two day total 18.35 pounds. Cottrell secured the NSF Co-angler title plus a $1,300 paycheck for the win. For Minnesota, Dave Berg came from behind to take second overall with 15.38 pounds. Both anglers will advance as the top co-angler’s representing their respective states.
The Wisconsin Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the District 9 State Pride Award with 109.59 total pounds. The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and co-anglers from each state, which are selected prior to the event.
Congratulations to Kevin Fassbind the $500 Ranger Cup winner.
In the end, 53 anglers brought in 444 bass weighing in at a whopping 1075.71 pounds. The event went well thanks to the Wisconsin Bass Federation that ran the event and all the support from TBF’s sponsors; FLW, Ranger, Cabela’s, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Evinrude, Berkley and Power Pole.
FULL RESULTS
Scott Bonnema Top Advancing MN Boater
Dave Berg Top Advancing MN Coangler
