On September 21, 2018 122 anglers from Ohio and Michigan met at the Shelby Street Ramp on Sandusky Bay in Sandusky, Ohio in anticipation of having a great two days fishing for the smallmouth bass that the Western basin of Lake Erie is famous for. However Mother Nature was throwing the anglers a curve as the wind was causing a small craft advisory and was supposed to switch to the north during the night which would cause Lake Erie to become even more dangerous.

When the anglers arrived at the ramp the wind was blowing over 20 mph from the north and gusting to 30 mph. The decision was made to wait until daylight in order to even determine if Sandusky Bay was fish-able. As it became light the wind shifted as it was predicted to and calmed down some but not to the degree that the anglers could fish Lake Erie. After going out into the Bay in a boat the OBF President told the anglers that the tournament anglers would be restricted to Sandusky Bay for Saturday’s event. The anglers weighed in 180 bass weighing 420.21 pounds. The leading Boater was Josh Kolodzaike of Michigan with 15.67 pounds. The leading Co-Angler was Todd Rock of Ohio with 17.99 pounds.

Sunday started with Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie calm enough that the anglers could fish either bodies of water. When the final fish was weighed the Day One Leaders had still retained their superiority over the over anglers.  Josh Kolodzaike weighed in 5 fish again that weighed 14.15 while Todd Rock on the co-angler side only had two fish. However they weighed 10. 30 pounds and included a smallmouth weighing 5.24. Jon Angstmann of Ohio weighed in the biggest fish of the tournament with a 5.83 smallmouth and finished second on the co-angler side. The second day saw 189 bass weighed in for a total of 457.96 pounds.

At the TBF National Championship in 2019 Ohio will be represented by Troy Sneddon (3^rd place) and Andy Fryer (4^th place)  on the boater side and Todd Rock (1^st place) and John Angstmann (2^nd place on the co-angler side. Michigan anglers going to the TBF National Championship as a boater is Josh Kolodzaike (1^st Place) and co-angler Chase Fennell (3^rd place) .

There were 369 bass caught in the tournament and all but one was released alive with the exception of about 30 smallmouth that were taken by Ohio Division of Wildlife. These fish were implanted with a transponder and released back into the lake. Anglers who caught those smallmouth selected were asked to mark a grid map where that fish was caught. This will enable the fish’s movements to be tracked. Ohio and Michigan were very happy to be able to participate in this research project.

Ohio and Michigan would like to thank the anglers that participated in this tournament for their sportsmanship and understanding.

Quinte West Welcomes Canadian Bass Anglers Federation

For Immediate Release

September 18, 2018 – Quinte West: The Canadian Bass Anglers Federation (CBAF) is pleased to announce that the 2018 District 14 Regional Championships will be hosted by the City of Quinte West Sept. 26-30, 2018.

The tournament location was secured with funding and event support from the City of Quinte West, and promises anglers a top notch fishing experience.

“The Bay of Quinte and the City of Quinte West offer anglers exceptional fishing opportunities, with an incredible Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass fishery alongside trophy angling opportunities for Walleye and many other species,” says J.P. De Rose, CBAF Member & Host/Producer of Breaking Boundaries, Getting Schooled with J.P. and Renegade Bass TV. “The fishery has been getting better and better over the last two decades and I’m ecstatic teams from Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario will get to experience it firsthand.”

The 2018 CBAF District 14 Regional Championship currently has 70 teams of anglers registered, including 29 teams from the United States and 41 teams from across Ontario. During this Championship, the anglers are vying for the opportunity to qualify for the 2019 National Championships. At the National Championships, anglers have the chance to fish for the ‘Living the Dream’ package, which includes a Ranger Boat & tow vehicle, and all entry fees to the Fishing League Worldwide Tour.

“The City of Quinte West is looking forward to hosting the CBAF event and welcoming participants from all over North America,” said Jim Harrison, Mayor, City of Quinte West. “We are proud to showcase the beautiful Bay of Quinte and the great fishing opportunities it provides.”

Weigh-ins for the event will be taking place in Compass Court next to Fraser Park at 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Bass Federation (TBF), is the largest and oldest broad-based, independent, grassroots organization in fishing. TBF has had monumental success in improving and furthering the sport of fishing, the effects of which are felt worldwide. TBF is a proud and honored member of the fresh water fishing hall of fame.

For more information contact:

Sean McLaughlin

President C.B.A.F.   905-320-5342,  seanscode@yahoo.ca

District 16 Massachusetts and Vermont Event Report

Jason Bacon, Cameron Chase (MA), Scott Green, Scott Comes, (VT) advance to 2019 National Championship.

By Joe McKinnon, Massachusetts President

The 2018 TBF District 16 National Semi-Final between Massachusetts and Vermont was contested on Lake Champlain out of the Vermont state John Guilmette ramp on South Hero, Vermont.

The weekend started with a dinner at The Anchorage South Hero put on by Melissa and Dave Morrissette of the Anchorage. After a great meal the anglers were paired and ready to go. Then the weather decided to turn it up with winds 19 to 24 knots with gusts to 30 straight out of the North. Waves were 3 and 4 foot and building. So day one was canceled for safety concerns. It now came down to a one day shoot out. Day 2 got off at 6:00 AM with light north winds and clear skies.

The 29 boats all made it back in on time and the weigh-in went smooth. When the totals were tallied for the State Pride Vermont had bested Massachusetts for the second year in a row. Team Vermont angler Jeff Barry, Scott McKay, Kevin Comes, Jay Menard, Jason Stoddard, Mike Comeau and Scott Dupuis weighing in 120.06 LBS to Team Massachusetts 104.43 LBS. Great job Vermont!

After the weigh-in when the results were double checked it was determined that Jason Bacon and Cameron Chase will represent Massachusetts and Scott Green and Scott Comes will represent Vermont at the 2019 TBF National Championships as Boater and Co-Angler. Congratulations to these four anglers!

In the boaters division Massachusetts Jason Bacon weighed in 22.43 LBS of Smallmouth bass to win the boaters division. Second place went to Billy Roe with 20.46 LBS. Third place was Jim D’Ambra with 19.54 LBS. Fourth place was Scott Green with 18.80 LBS. Fifth place was Scott Dupuis with 18.10 LBS.

In the Co-Angler division Massachusetts Cameron Chase took first place with 17.19 LBS. Second place was Mark Consolini with 16.87 LBS. Third place was Colleen McKay with 16.69 LBS. Fourth place was Scott Comes with 16.60 Lbs. Fifth place was Scott McKay with 15.50 LBS.

Thanks to Melissa and Dave for a great dinner and Mike Morrissey, Matt Heney, Joey McKinnon and Erik Swanson for their work helping setting up and at the weigh-in.

Congratulations to all the winners and all that competed!