The Ohio Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semifinal District 11 event September 9-10 out of Elizabeth Park Marina on the Lower Detroit River in Trenton, Mich.  Anglers covered a large area of Michigan waters during the two day event, fishing Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and Lake Erie.  In District 11, boats launched from Elizabeth Park Marina to battle it out for state bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies, Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.

The National Semi-Final format rolled out last year replacing the divisional events and state team line-ups.  TBF anglers can now advance to a close-to-home NSF event in one of two ways.  Active state clubs can advance their top two anglers, in addition, the top 10% of state event participation or a minimum of 12 anglers per state qualify, whichever is greater.  The new format has been highly successful with state participation and membership up across the nation.

A total of $17,800 with 118.5% payback was awarded in cash and prizes.  The top 10 boaters and coanglers in the 50 boat field divvied up a whopping $11,250 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).

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.

After two days of competition, Pat Upthagrove from Michigan bested the boater field with a two day total of 42.99 pounds.  Upthagrove was crowned District 11’s NSF Champion boater and received a $2,500 paycheck.

The NSF co-angler champion was Josh Kolodzaike also from Michigan.  Kolodzaike had a tournament total of 30.56 pounds for a total cash payout of $1,250.  Both Michigan anglers will advance to the 2018 Federation National Championship.

Curtis Dowell was the top Ohio boater and finished fourth overall with 36.53 pounds; he will advance to the national championship representing his state.  Ohio’s James Kain finished right behind Kolodzaike on the coangler side with 29.04 pounds.  Kain will also represent Ohio at the national championship event.

Third place finishing boater, Randy Ramsey, took home the $500 Ranger Cup award being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler.  Big bass honors went to Ross Parsons who caught a healthy 6.48 pound Lake St. Clair smallmouth; Parson’s personal best.

The Michigan Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the District 11 State Pride Award with 249.1 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.

The event went well thanks to the Ohio 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

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

The Vermont Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semifinal District 16 event September 9-10 in South Hero, Vermont.  Friday night anglers were welcomed with dinner and a meeting at Anchorage Cottages.  Saturday kicked off with temperatures in the low fifties, scattered showers and a steady northwest wind.  In District 16, 25 boats launched on Lake Champlain’s waters to battle it out for state bragging rights, deeper payouts, Ranger qualifying jerseys and trophies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.

The National Semi-Final format rolled out last year replacing the divisional events and state team line-ups.  TBF anglers can now advance to a close-to-home NSF event in one of two ways.  Active state clubs can advance their top two anglers, in addition, the top 10% of state event participation or a minimum of 12 anglers per state qualify, whichever is greater.  The new format has been highly successful with state participation and membership up across the nation.

A total of $9,800 with 128% payback was awarded in cash and prizes.  The top five boaters and co-anglers in the 25 boat field divvied up $5,625 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).

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.

After two days of competition, Ed Gauthier from Massachusetts bested the boater field with 32.92 pounds.  Gauthier received a $1,700 paycheck and a slot in the 2018 Federation National Championship.

The winning co-angler was EJ Nocon also from Massachusetts.  Nocon had a two day total of 29.67 pounds for a total cash payout of $850.

Scott Green was the top Vermont angler with 30.96 pounds; he will advance to the national championship representing his state.  Scott McKay will advance on the co-angler side representing Vermont with a two day total of 24.93 pounds.

The Vermont Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the first District 16 State Pride Award with 189.07 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 the end, 50 anglers brought in 413 bass weighing in at a whopping 1009.41 pounds. The event went well thanks to the Vermont 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

PHOTO GALLERY