TBF’S NEW NATIONAL SEMI-FINAL FORMAT CONTINUES WITH BIG PAYOUTS IN DISTRICT 4

Alabama and Mississippi Advance Anglers to Nationals

topfivefinishersThe Alabama Bass Federation played host to the first TBF National Semifinal contest for District 4 on Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden City, Ala.  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.

In District 4, top TBF anglers competed October 15-16 to advance to the 2017 Federation National Championship and to win enough cash to travel to the spring event.

After day one, Alex Alford of Alabama led the field with a limit weighing 13.08 pounds.  Hunter Hayes, also from Alabama was just behind him with 12.15 pounds.

dc-angler-al-hunterhayesHayes would close the gap on day two to claim the boater title with a tournament total of 24.21 pounds.  He received a $2,300 cash prize and will advance to the 2017 Federation National Championship representing Alabama.

coanglerms-nickolas-becksteinOn the co-angler side, Nickolas Becktein from Mississippi led it after day one with 10.02 pounds.  But, he had have trouble finding that limit on day two.  He brought in a 5.07 pound bag making his tournament total 15.09 pounds and opened the door for John Perez from Alabama to squeeze in for the title.  Becktein would still finish in second, snag a $600 paycheck and get a ticket to the national championship as the highest finishing co-angler representing Mississippi.

coangler-al-jdperezJohn Perez found a limit of bass weighing 10.11 pounds to make his tournament total 17.13 pounds.  He received an $1,150 cash prize and will advance to the national championship as the co-angler champion representing Alabama.

anglerms-wayneparrishWayne Parrish is the fourth angler advancing to the national championship as the highest finishing boater from Mississippi.  Parrish brought in a limit of bass weighing 23.04 pounds, just one ounce shy of Roy Galbraith’s limit from Alabama and a second place overall finish.  The finish would affect his paycheck but not his advancement to the largest and richest championship in federation history.

Jackie Price from Alabama was the top finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler and he’ll be receiving $500 Ranger Cup bonus money from TBF’s sponsors at Ranger.

jackieprice-rcThe Alabama Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the first District 4 State Pride Award with 115.05 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.  Alabama’s top anglers to facilitate in the win were Alex Alford, Jason Blackmon, Randal Blackmon, Rusty Burroughs, Todd Dalrymple, Tim Griffith, Wes Logan and Clayton Mosley.

A total of $15,560 and 121% packback in cash and prizes, National Semi-Final qualifying jerseys, trophies, champion titles and slots in the national championship were awarded in the boater and co-angler divisions.  The top eight boaters and co-anglers in the 43 boat field divvied up $9,675 in total cash payback, not including the $500 Ranger Cup award and the $1,000 Evinrude E-tec award (awarded to the winner if he/she runs a 2012 or newer Evinrude).

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 new event format went well thanks to the Alabama 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.

PAYOUT
FULL RESULTS

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA HOSTS FIRST DISTRICT 2 TBF NATIONAL SEMI-FINAL ON LAKE WYLIE

North Carolina and South Carolina Advance Anglers to Nationals

semi-final-006The North Carolina Bass Federation played host to the first TBF National Semifinal contest for District 2 on Lake Wylie in Charlotte, N.C. 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.

In District 2, top TBF anglers competed October 1-2 to advance to the 2017 Federation National Championship and to win enough cash to travel to the spring event.  Hot weather and high water temperatures made it rough for most of the field as catching 14” bass proved difficult.  As a result, very few limits came to the scales on day one.

Preston Rikard of Lexington, S.C., did bring a five bass limit to the scales weighing 11.21 pounds to lead it on the boater’s side.  In close pursuit, was Nelson Walker of Manning, S.C., with 10.14 pounds.

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On day two, Walker, a veteran TBF and BFL angler, would add another win to his resume with a limit weighing 10.15 pounds for a tournament total of 20.29 pounds.  Walker received a $1,630 cash prize and will advance to the 2017 Federation National Championship as the winning boater.  He also nabbed the $500 Ranger Cup award for being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler.

Jeff Hager from North Carolina finished just a pound away in second with 19.29 pounds.  Hager received an $820 cash prize for his two days of work and he’ll also advance the 2017 National Championship representing North Carolina as the highest finishing boater.

semi-final-004After two days of fishing, the co-angler race remained tight with less than a pound separating first and second and two ounces separating second and third.  Ultimately, the champion title went to Larry Halsey from North Carolina with 10.22 pounds.  Halsey received $815 cash prize and will represent the North Carolina co-angler’s at the national championship.

Jeff Rikard from South Carolina came in second with 9.35 pounds while Kenny Hawk settled into third at 9.33 pounds.  Rikard will also advance to nationals being the highest finishing co-angler for South Carolina.

The South Carolina TBF made the final sweep narrowly edging out North Carolina by less than four pounds to take home bragging rights and the first District 2 State Pride Award with 55.22 total pounds.  The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters from each state.  The boaters are selected prior to the event.

A total of $9,160 in cash and prizes, National Semi-Final qualifying jerseys, trophies, champion titles and slots in the national championship were awarded in the boater and co-angler divisions.  The top four boaters and co-anglers in the 23 boat field divvied up $5,175 in total cash payback, not including the $500 Ranger Cup award and the $1,000 Evinrude E-tec award (awarded to the winner if he/she runs a 2012 or newer Evinrude).

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.

semi-final-001The 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 new event format went well thanks to the North Carolina TBF who 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
PAYOUT

 

TBF’S DISTRICT 19 CROWNS CHAMPS ON THE DWORSHAK RESERVOIR

Idaho and Montana Advance Anglers to Nationals

dist19-boaterscoanglers-top5The Idaho TBF played host to the first TBF National Semifinal contest for District 19 on Dworshak Reservoir, in Ahshka, Idaho.  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.

In District 19, top TBF anglers competed October 8-9 for the chance to advance to the 2017 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.

curtismccown-id-boatA total of $9,160 in cash and prizes, National Semi-Final qualifying jerseys, trophies, champion titles and slots in the national championship were awarded in the boater and co-angler divisions.  The top four boaters and co-anglers in the 23 boat field divvied up $5,175 in total cash payback, not including the $500 Ranger Cup award and the $1,000 Evinrude E-tec award for the winning boater who runs a 2012 or newer Evinrude.

After two days of competition, the District 19 National Semi-Final Champion titles would go to the boater from Idaho, Curtis McCown, who received a $1,630 cash prize.  The co-angler champion was Chris Felty also from Idaho who received $815 from his two days of work.

Montana’s Tim Johnston and Josh Stratton will also advance to the 2017 Federation National Championship being the highest boater and co-angler finishers to represent their state.

Tony Shuyler nabbed the $500 Ranger Cup Award for being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler along with $600 for his third place overall finish.

The Idaho Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the first District 19 State Pride Award with 141.83 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.

The conditions varied with ran, sunshine and warm temperatures during practice and into day one.  Montana boater, Tim Johnston, bought a 15.63 pound bag to the scales to lead the field and Idaho’s, Felty, found 16.06 pounds to lead it on the co-angler side.

dist19-bretfelter-tournamentbigfish-8-38lbsmA steady overnight rain made for wet conditions on day two but the anglers ran with it and successfully brought in heavier weights.  Idaho’s, McCown, brought in a five fish limit weighing 18.24 pounds with a 6.54 pound kicker smallie to win the boater champion title and advance to the national event.    McCowns total weight was 30.41 pounds, a little over five pounds ahead of second.

Felty’s huge bag on day one was enough to pair with 6.53 pounds to win on the co-angler side for a tournament total of 22.59 pounds.

Idaho boater from the Snake River Valley Bass Club, Bret Felter, weighed in a stunner, a 8.38 pound smallmouth for tournament big bass.

The new event format went well thanks to the Idaho TBF 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.  Idaho TBF would also like to thank its sponsors at Canyon Marine, Dry Creek Outfitters, Deb Norton of the US Army Corp. of Engineers, Dobyns Rods and Idaho Fish & Game for assisting with fish release.  Finally, thanks to Glo and Jay, managers at Clearwater Crossing RV Park and the city of Orofino, Idaho.

PAYOUT

RESULTS

TBF’S NEW NATIONAL SEMI-FINAL HOLDS DISTRICT 8’S FIRST FACE-OFF ON LAKE FRANCIS CASE

South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska Advance Anglers to Nationals

boater-champion-terry-laverackThe South Dakota Bass Federation played host to the first TBF National Semifinal contest for District 8 on Lake Francis Case in Pickstown, S.D.  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.

In District 8, top TBF anglers competed October 1-2 for the chance to advance to the 2017 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.

A total of $12,350 in cash and prizes, National Semi-Final qualifying jerseys, trophies, champion titles and slots in the national championship were awarded in the boater and co-angler divisions.  The top six boaters and co-anglers in the 33 boat field divided up $7,425 in cash payback, not including the $500 Ranger Cup award and the $1,000 Evinrude E-tec award for the winning boater who runs a 2012 or newer Evinrude.

Anglers launched from North Point Boat Ramp on Lake Francis Case, part of the Missouri River Chain in South Dakota.  They dealt with a chilly fall morning but some of the best fish of the event were caught on day one.

South Dakota Boaters, Terry Laverack and Andy Williamson, brought in big smallmouths weighing 5.12 pounds and 5.11 pounds, respectively.  Anchored by those smallmouths, Laverack lead the boaters with 16.3 pounds and Williamson sat in second with 13.6 pounds.  In the co-angler division, South Dakota’s Kasey Jons lead the way with a five bass limit weighing 12.4 pounds.  His bag was anchored with a 5 pound smallmouth.

Day 2 lead to tougher conditions for most anglers.  Shawn Keena of North Dakota was able to put together 14.10 pounds, which included the big bass award for the day of 3.9 pounds.  The co-angler division remained tight and lead to an exciting awards ceremony where five different anglers weighed bags over 10 pounds and the winner came down to a tie.

 After two days of competition, the District 8 National Semi-Final Champion titles would go to the boater from South Dakota, Terry Laverack, with 28.14 total pounds, over five pounds ahead of the field.  Laverack received a $2,170 cash prize.

Brock Belik and Todd Willis from South Dakota tied for the co-angler champion title with 23.3 pounds leaving the decision to a tie-breaker.  The tie-breaker awarded Belik the title because he had the heaviest day’s catch at 12.5 pounds with Willis just ounces behind at 12.1 pounds.  Belik was awarded $1,085 cash prize and Willis didn’t walk away empty-handed as he received a $540 cash prize.

North Dakota’s Shawn Keena and Robert Reinbold also advance to the 2017 Federation National Championship being the highest boater and co-angler finishers to represent their state.  Keena also finished second overall on the boater’s side landing him a $1,080 cash prize.

Nebraska’s Robert Walla and Nick Ash will advance to the national event representing the boater and co-angler divisions and their state.  Walla also nabbed the $500 Ranger Cup Award for being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler along a $430 fourth place purse.

The South Dakota Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the first District 8 State Pride Award with 145.14 total pounds.  The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and top four co-anglers from each state, which were selected prior to the event.

This event featured 443 fish caught and 443 fish released for a 100% release rate.  The new event format went very well thanks to the South Dakota Bass Federation who ran the event and the support from all anglers involved

PAYOUT

RESULTS