2020 TBF DISTRICT 11 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS OHIO AND MICHIGAN

On September 12, 2020, 150 anglers from Ohio and Michigan fished the TBF District 11 National Semi-Final at Mosquito Lake. Four anglers from Ohio and two from Michigan qualified to advance to the TBF National Championship in early 2021. Even though Mosquito lake had a reputation for being a big bass lake, fishing was very stingy for the past several weeks and this held true for this tournament.

After the scales were closed on Sunday the boater division was won by local favorite, Nick Provonozac of Ohio, with 10 fish that weighed 21.90.

Second place boater was Ken Pond of Ohio with 9 fish weighing 21.35. Third place was Chase Fennell of Michigan with 10 fish weighing 19.34. These three will represent their states in the TBF Championship.

On the co-angler side winning the tournament was Don Ary of Ohio with 9 fish weighing 15.21. Second place was Randy Burr of Michigan with six fish weighing 14.26 and third place was Chris Langenfeld of Ohio with 8 fish weighing 13.91. These three anglers will represent their states at the TBF National Championship.

2020 TBF District 14 Ontario National Semi Finals

It is 2020 and yes, the year has been a crazy one. From wearing mask, social distancing, lockdowns, and border closings, a trying year for all.  A disappointment for our Ontario Anglers who could not attend our regular scheduled event held in Pennsylvania.

With short notice however our anglers picked up their rods and reels, 23 anglers and 23 co anglers made the trip to Port Colborne, Ontario.

Port Colborne lies just west of Buffalo, New York on the shores of Lake Erie. World renowned for smallmouth bass. The event promised to be a slugfest.

Reports however during pre-fish found the bite was off, cooler than normal temperatures prior to the official event had the bass tight lipped.  Regardless, the start of the tournament Saturday morning saw everyone excited to get out on the water. The forecast was for very fishable winds and warmer temperatures for both tournament days.

As the boats started to come in for day one weigh in, it definitely appeared the bite was still off.  A few anglers and co-anglers managed to bring in some great bags.

On the Angler side Mark McConnell brought 4 smallmouth to the scale for 18.92lbs to lead. Matt Pezzetta in second Place at 17.66lbs

On the Co Angler side our youngest competitor in the event Dylan Blair crossed the scales with 17.74 lbs. with his 4 smallmouth for the day one lead. With James Eckebrecht  sitting in second with 15.66 lbs.

With a better forecast for Sunday the anglers were anxious to get started. Once out of the marina and into the lake, ole Mother Nature pulled a fast one, she sure can fool the weatherman at times.  Regardless of the choppy conditions, the anglers made it through the day when the scales closed on day two.

Our youngest competitor, Dylan Blair, was the Co Angler Champion with the best two day weight of any competitor, boater or co angler, at 33.38 lbs.

On the Boater side, Matt Pezzetta put together two strong days of fishing and managed to bring 32.98 lbs. to the scales and punch his ticket to the Nationals next spring along with Dylan Blair.

The Ontario Federation wishes to thank all of its volunteers and the City of Port Colborne for such great facilities and hospitality.

We also look forward to seeing our Eastern Division friends from New York and Pennsylvania next September back here in Port Colborne.

2020 TBF DISTRICT 6 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS ARKANSAS AND OKLAHOMA

2020 TBF DISTRICT 6 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS – ARKANSAS AND OKLHOMA

 The 2020 tournament for the TBF District 6 National Semi-Finals involving Arkansas and Oklahoma Federations is now in the history books.  The two states sent their best-of-the-best to compete to each state to qualify a boater and co-angler to advance to the 2021 TBF National World Championship.  The NSF rules allows the top co-angler to move to a boater status at National’s if their winning weight totaled more than their leading state boater’s weight.  The tournament was held on Eufaula Lake out of the South Point area in Eufaula, Oklahoma.  The contestants were allowed to fish all waters of the 100,000 acre plus lake.  That gave them over 100 shoreline miles to fish, determining to correct area of the lake to fish was the biggest problem.  From the South Point ramp anglers could go 20 miles in five different directions in their pursuit to find the most productive fishing area.  The bonus for this weekend was the light winds, an unusual happening in Oklahoma.  The pairings were provided by the staff at TBF headquarters in Ponca City, Oklahoma, all the anglers had to do was catch fish, and they did.

The first day of the tournament greeted the anglers with the threat of rain but much cooler temperatures.  Of the boaters, Blake Wilson, Arkansas, took the lead as he weighed in the largest stringer for the day with a five fish limit tipping the scales at 15.84#.  Blake’s stringer included the boater’s big bass of the day.  Kevin Brown, Arkansas, took second with a limit weighing 13.90# that included a 3.99# big bass.  Third, fourth and fifth separated three Arkansas anglers by only 0.21# with Mike Webster taking the third slot with a 12.33# limit while Tanner Jones garnered fourth added a by a 4.25 pounder to bring his weight to 12.20#.  Sam Huston took fifth with 12.12# stringer that included a 4.01#.  Josh Ray, Arkansas, took over sixth place with the largest of the 11# bags.  Josh ha a total of 11.74#.  Four Oklahoma anglers took seventh thru tenth with only 0.58# separating seventh to tenth.  Stewart Ryan led the Oklahoma boaters with 11.15# for seventh while Brandon Beck took eighth with 11.09# nosing our Jody Linder by only 0.01# while Jody’s total was 11.08#.  Jonathan Dotson led the co-anglers on day one with a limit of bass weighing 12.50#.  Jonathan’s limit included a 4.14# big bass.  Julie Downs, Oklahoma, took second with a limit tipping the scales at 12.16#.  Her big bass hid the scales at 3.77#.  Third place went to Daniel Anthamatten with a total of 12.09#. Daniel’s limit included a 5.09# big bass, the biggest on day one.  Fourth place went to Steve Carlon, Oklahoma, who had a total of 11.99# that included a 3.50 pounder.  Stan Harris, Arkansas, took fifth place with a total of 10.97# followed at sixth by Wayne Osborn stringer weighing 10.41#.  Kenyon Johnson, Arkansas, was ninth with a limit weighing 9.24#.  Rounding out the top ten for the co-anglers was Mark Strickland, Oklahoma, with 8.53#.

The second day started with fairly clear skies but became overcast during most of the day.  Kevin Brown moved up from his first day second place finish to take the second day with the biggest stringer of the tournament that totaled 18.33#.  Kevin’s catch included a 4.86# lunker.  Wyatt Ryan, Oklahoma, made one of the biggest jumps with a 16.23# stringer to take second improving from his nineteenth on day one.  Larry Gragg, Arkansas, also made a big jump with a 14.58# stringer that included a 4.34# lunker.  Larry was third moving from 21st on day one.  First round leader Blake Wilson dropped to fourth with a stringer weighing 14.28# that included a 4.42 pounder.  The biggest improvement was by Jeff Creecy, Arkansas, who moved up from 36th on day to garner fifth with 14.18# anchored by the big bass of the day weighing 5.20#.  Ricky York, Arkansas, improved his 29th day one finish to take sixth with 13.71# that was anchored by a 3.99# largemouth.  Seventh went to Brandon Beck to move up one place from day one with a 13.04# stringer that included a 3.68 pounder.  Marc Downs, Oklahoma, jumped up to the top ten with a limit weighing 12.96# from his seventeenth finish on day one.  Marc had a 4.10# bass to anchor his limit and give him eighth for the day.  Ninth was taken by Chris Tarron, Oklahoma, jumping from a 35th placing on day one.  Chris’ weight was 12.48#.  The tenth place slot went to Larry Carter, Arkansas, that brought 12.14# of fish to the scales.  The co-angler list was much like the boaters on day two, only two anglers from the top ten on day one repeated to break into it for day two.  The biggest move was Matt Tucker, Arkansas, took first place on day two with a limit weighing 14.34# after finishing 32th on day one.  Second place was garnered by Alex Saiz, Oklahoma, with a limit weighing 12.35# with a 4.42# anchor.  Third place was taken by first day leader Jonathan Dotson who registered an 11.70# limit.  Fourth went to the only angler that had the same placement each day.  Steve Carlon mirrored day one with an 11.19# to get fourth.  Shawn Lewis, Arkansas, moved up 10 places to fifth with a 10.77# limit.  Sixth place was tapped by Kyle Warden, Oklahoma, with a 10.74# stringer that was mostly consisting of a 4.23# lunker after his 25th place finish on day one.  Issac Lair, Oklahoma, took seventh place with 9.66# nosing out Gary Milam, Arkansas by only 0.05#. Gary was eight with a total weigh of 9.61#.  Allen Musser, Oklahoma, captured ninth place with a 9.41# stringer while John Duvall, Arkansas, rounded out tenth with a 9.32# weight.

The National Semi-Finals returns 100% of their entry fees back to the participates.  The weekend event pays 75% for both the boaters and non-boaters with 10% expenses to cover tournament expenses and 15% to the TBF Nationals.  The boaters Champion was Kevin Brown who had a total weight of 32.23# and received $2270 for the title and then added an additional $500 as the top Ranger Cup angler to bring his total winnings for the weekend to $2770.

Blake Wilson took second place with a total of 29.62# to take the $1150 second place purse.  Wyatt Ryan finished at third with a total catch of 24.70# and received a check for $760 while Brandon Beck followed with 24.13# total weight and got the fourth-place money of $430. Fifth was garnered by Mike Webster with a total weight of 23.18# and a check for $330.  Larry Gragg was sixth with his 23.16# effort and took home $240 while Tanner Jones took seventh with 22.68# and a payment of $220.

The co-angler champion, Jonathan Dotson, weighed in 24.20# and took $1135 for his two days work.  Second place went to Steve Carlon with a final weight of 23.18## for a $575 payday.  Julie Downs had a final total of 20.50# for third place and a check for $380.  Victor Herrera a total catch of 19.21# to take fourth place and $ 215.  Alex Saiz had a total weight of 18.69# to take fifth place and the $165 check.  Sixth went to Wayne Osborn with 17.88# and he received the $120 reward.  The seventh-place co-angler award was taken by Shawn Lewis with a total weight of 17.77# and a check for $110.

The top boater and co-angler have earned the right to the 2021 TBF National Championship.

The Arkansas qualifiers will be Kevin Brown as the boater and Jonathan Dotson as the co-angler.

 

Oklahoma will be sending Wyatt Ryan as the boater and Steve Carlon as the co-angler.

The date and site of the 2021 championship event will be determined and announced from the National TBF office.

 

2020 Junior World Championship Heads To Warren, Ohio And Trumbull County – July 29-31

PONCA CITY, OKLA. (4/20/2020) – The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) announced today that the 2020 TBF Junior World Championship (JWC) is set for July 29, 30, 31 on Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County Ohio.

The 2020 JWC includes a two-person team format and three days of competition. The TBF Junior program includes all anglers 15 years old or under as of Aug. 31, 2020 who fished through their home state federation’s Junior program to qualify. Only the top Junior team from each state is invited to attend.

By its very nature fishing out on a lake away from everyone is social distancing. Regardless, event officials noted extra safety steps will be taken. Conference invitee’s who happen to be in a covid restricted state or area at that time or those who are at risk or simply choose to, will stay home and access conference content digitally. Federation officials have worked with health experts to develop COVID-19 compliant conference, weigh in, meeting and other safety measures that will be used during events across the nation for as long as needed. TBF officials noted these safety measures will help keep participants and communities safe while still doing their part to help ease the economy, people and businesses in our country back to work.

Historically, the Junior World Championship (JWC) is held in conjunction with other prominent events. TBF announced that a Big Fish event and the Federation’s Annual State Leadership Conference will also be hosted with the JWC in Cortland and Warren, respectively.

The Annual TBF State Leadership Conference invites 49 TBF affiliated state federations in the US and Canada to send their state official(s) to attend meetings on fishing, youth and conservation items, strategic planning, educational sessions, how to operate their local & state events safely in the era of COVID-19 as well as annual elections of TBF national directors.

The North American Bass Challenge (NABC) will host a premier Big Fish Event at Mosquito Lake on Saturday, August 1, with a top prize of a $10,000 prize package for the single biggest bass caught. The Junior angler and Parents, federation state officers and all bass anglers from surrounding states can fish this event which is open to the public!  For info go to NorthAmericanBassChallenge.com

Beth Carmichael, Executive Director of Trumbull County Tourism, says, “We’re thrilled to welcome anglers from around the country here to Mosquito Lake, Ohio’s premier bass fishing location!  In addition to the excitement of these “top-in-class” competitions, Carmichael says, the area offers fantastic opportunities for family and friends who travel with the competitors, including kayaking the Mahoning River, area playgrounds, golfing, and disc golfing at one of the 20 golf courses located in the area.

Carmichael continues,” The Eastwood Mall Complex not only offers a variety of shopping and dining options, but there are also two movie theaters, a trampoline park, and creative opportunities at their one of a kind shops.”

“We’re excited to hold this event in Cortland, Ohio on Mosquito Lake.” TBF President and CEO Robert Cartlidge said. “It is a new location for us but Mosquito Lake is a top-rated Ohio destination and a great place to host our events. There is a lot in the area for our attendees to do and Trumbull County is rolling out the red carpet for them.”

Many of today’s top pro anglers started in the TBF Junior program.  A few examples are; Jacob Wheeler (IN) fished the 2006 JWC; Shane Lehew (NC) won the 2007 JWC, and 2017 Forrest Wood Cup winner Justin Atkins (MS) in the 2008 JWC.  More recently, 2020 TBF Federation National Champion Living The Dream angler Lance Freeman (KY) started out by fishing the TBF Kentucky Junior program.

About Trumbull County, Ohio – Trumbull County is midway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh and about an hour from each.  It’s home to Ohio’s second-largest inland lake, Mosquito Lake; 44,000 acres of outdoor recreation space including State Wildlife Areas, Pymatuning Creek, a State designated Wild and Scenic River, and the Mahoning River.  It’s also home of the nation’s fourth-largest Amish community; the first luxury car built in America, The Packard, was invented in Warren; And it’s the birthplace of the 25th American President, William McKinley in Niles.

About The Bass Federation – The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth, and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations, and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for nearly 50 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on Facebook.

###