The Bass Federation (TBF) – Page 47 – Youth – Conservation

District 21 Kicks Off the 2017 National Semi-Final Events

By BassFederation.com in News, NSFinals

Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming compete on Navajo Lake

The New Mexico Bass Federation played host to the 2017 TBF National Semifinal contest for District 21, July 15-16 on Navajo Lake in Navajo Dam, NM. TBF rolled out the New National Semi-Finals program last year with overwhelming success. The program pits top grassroots anglers from each state in a “close to home” weekend event with neighboring states for significant cash prizes and advancements.

A total of $8,520 with 136% payback in cash and prizes, National Semi-Final qualifying jerseys, trophies, champion titles and slots in the 2018 Federation National Championship were awarded in the boater and co-angler divisions. The top four boaters and co-anglers in the 21 boat field divvied up $6,300 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).

Several anglers struggled to find limits, while others struggled to find any of size on Navajo Lake. The lake is typically tough in the summer, but other contributing factors could have been the rain that rolled in Friday and Saturday afternoon and local weekend fishing pressure.

After two days of competition Robert Peixotto from New Mexico bested the boater field with 19.74 pounds. Peixotto received a $1,500 paycheck and a slot in the 2018 Federation National Championship.

The winning co-angler was Gregg Price also from New Mexico. Price had limits both days for a two day total of 18.38 pounds.

David Withee was the top Colorado angler and he will advance to the national championship representing his state. Withee also earned the $500 Ranger Cup award for being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler. Jason Gasper will also advance on the co-angler side representing Colorado.

Wyoming’s Tim Roberts and Camrone Marbles will advance to nationals as the highest finishing boater and co-angler to represent their state. Roberts weighed in 16.43 pounds and Marbles brought in 15.63 pounds.

The New Mexico Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the first District 21 State Pride Award with 120.05 total pounds. The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and co-anglers selected prior to the event from each state.

In District 21, top TBF anglers competed for the chance to advance to the 2018 Federation National Championship and to win enough cash to travel to the spring event. Anglers qualify for the semi-finals in one of two ways. Active state clubs in good standing can send their top two anglers directly to the semi-final event, in addition, the top 10% of state event participation or a minimum of 12 anglers per state qualify, whichever is greater.

The new format pays back 100% of the entry fees, 75% to the top 20% of the field, 10% to the state federations and 15% to the TBF Federation National Championship. In the new NSF rules, a co-angler can also move up as a boater if his/her weight totals more than the state boater’s weight.

The event went well thanks to the New Mexico Bass Federation who ran the event and all their support from TBF’s sponsors; FLW, Ranger, Cabela’s, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Evinrude, Berkley and Power Pole.

FULL RESULTS

WICOMICO/NANTICOKE BASS CLUB AND TBF SUPPORT LOCAL TOYS FOR TOTS CHARITY

By BassFederation.com in News

The 7^th annual Fish-N-Friends open Bass Tournament benefiting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program took place Saturday, July 8^th, 2017 on the Pocomoke River in Snow Hill Maryland. As a member of the Delaware TBF, the Wicomico/Nanticoke Bass Club holds 9 tournaments each year, but this fund raiser event for Toys For Tots is always a “classic”.

Wayne Gorrow assisted by Delaware TBF Tournament Director Brian Barnes said 30 boats containing 55 anglers from 11 different bass clubs from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia participated in the event. Although the river was fishing “a little small”, weighmaster Fabian Rodriguez, tallied over 200 pounds of largemouth bass with more than 121 toys, gifts and fishing tackle donated by the anglers, Mr. Gorrow, notes that the heartfelt spirit of all those who participated was a true testament to the Delaware TBF, its members and the bass fishing community as a whole. Thanks to everyone for their generosity and support. After the tournament all anglers were treated to some burgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill by Delaware TBF President, Bob Chango.

1^st Place Winners (L) Kenny Spicer, with Delaware TBF President Bob Chango, (R) Jeremy Birmingham. Jeremy holds the days 4.57lb lunker 1^st place 12.42 pounds

2^nd Place (L) Delaware TBF Vice President Bobby Smith, Bob Chango (R) Larry Taylor 2^nd place awarded for 10.45 pounds

3^rd Place Mark Hogan with Bob Chango, and Cindy Hogan. 3^rd place awarded for 9.48 pounds

4^th place winners (L) PJ Martin (C) Jim Smith with Bob Chango 4^th place awarded for 8.84 pounds

Founded in 1947, The Toys For Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys that are distributed as Christmas gifts to needy children in the local community. The primary goal of the program is to deliver a message of hope to these youngsters especially at Christmas. Youth who range in age from 3-15, and who likely would not receive presents at Christmas are blessed by these gifts.

All photos by Ralph Newberry

California Junior State Championship Advances Angler on the Delta

By BassFederation.com in Junior Anglers, Junior World Championship, News

The California Junior Angler State Championship tournament was held on 28 May, 2017 at Russo’s Marina. Although the bite was tough, every angler brought at least one keeper to the scales and other anglers were able to boat some very impressive large mouth bass. Five junior angler teams qualified 4 anglers each from San Diego to Yuba/Sutter to compete in this Championship on the California Delta.

Jared DeFremery representing Delta Teen Team in Oakley, CA, caught a giant 9.08 lb. Largemouth and brought in a total of 5 bass for 14.43 lbs. for the win. Second Place Angler Manual Nevarez from Yuba Sutter Youth Fishing Club also caught a very impressive 7.26 lb. kicker fish and had two other keepers for a total of 11.90 lbs. Miles Kaneko, also of local Delta Teen Team failed to boat a kicker fish and brought in a very impressive 5 fish limit for 11.42 lbs. Jackson Paluczak form San Diego also bested 10 lbs with 5 fish for 10.54 lbs.to land in 4th place. Michael Alaga from Watsonville, CA captured 5th place with 9.44 lbs for 5 solid keepers.

Thanks out to the junior anglers team administrators, parents, and other family members for traveling as needed to allow these kids to compete. Also a shout out to volunteer boaters and vendors who volunteered their time and/or product so each competitor received a nice tackle pack at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.