PONCA CITY, Okla. (Sept. 16, 2014) – The Bass Federation (TBF), a grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization that got its start when the first federation club formed in 1968, has been named among the 2015 class of inductees enshrined into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame (The Hall).

In making the announcement this week, hall officials cited TBF for its history of supporting the overall growth of fishing through its affiliated state federations, and noted that the group’s strength is in working with a multitude of organizations and partnerships to the benefit of the entire industry.

“This is a great honor for TBF and the tens of thousands of members who make up our organization,” said TBF President and CEO Robert Cartlidge. “It is a testament to the decades of hard work and effort by all the staff, state and national officers, and every member past and present, as they are the ones on the front lines making a difference.

“We’ve always believed that our core founding principles of fishing, youth and conservation programs were our greatest assets, so this award by The Hall is a great acknowledgment of our membership’s 45 plus years of effort supporting TBF’s focus on ensuring the future health of sport fishing and the clean family values associated with the activity.” Continue reading

The 2014 TBF Eastern Division Championship was shortened by one day when the second day of the event had to be cancelled due to high winds. The third day the winds still blew, not quite as hard so the event was limited to the Saint Lawrence River only.

None of that made any difference to the 12 person Ontario squad from the TBF’s Canadian Bass Federation.  They showed up each day and fished the hand that was dealt them and still managed to take the win with their event total of 326-12 and take the title of 2014 TBF Eastern Division Champions. Connecticut finished second with 310-13 and Massachusetts locked up third with 305-07.

In the individual standings Corbyville, Ontario’s own Curtis Richardson took top honors and the Division Champions title with 39 pounds and 10 ounces.

Only nine ounces back at 39-01 was  Scott Janus from Wallingford, CT. and Thirteen ounces behind him was Burlington Vermont’s Mark Bilodeau with 38-04.

The TBF Division Championship Series is made up of seven, three day events, (one in each of the 7 geographical regions if the US& Canada)  that pit the top 12 anglers from each Federation against each other for state and individual titles of division champions. However the real prize is the advancement, opportunities as the top two angler from each state advances to the 2015 TBF Federation National Championship to fish for thier share of over 200,000 in cash and prizes including the TBF Living The Dream packages, (a full year on the FLW tour and MORE all paid for!) plus 14 spot in the BFL All-American and 2 spot in the 2015 Forrest Wood Cup! ALL with no entry fees!

For full Eastern Division Standings CLICK HERE

For Eastern Division Pictures CLICK HERE

TBF Eastern Division Championship Day 2 CANCELLED due to small craft advisory on BOTH the Lake and the River due to high winds. Forecast of winds exceeding 20-30 MPH with higher gusts out of the west and south west during the day forced the cancellation of Day 2 of the TBF Eastern Division Championship on the Saint James River\1000 islands out of Clayton, NY.  TBF division championships are three day events and the forecast for tomorrows day 3 is great and the plans are to continue with the final day tomorrow.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our anglers.” Said TBF Tournament Director Randy Sullivan. “We made the decision early on to put the lake off limits today and consider a river only day 2 event. However, a small craft advisory was also issued for the river. So, after consulting with all the state presidents in attendance and going out on the river myself with our local host state President from New York so we could see first hand what the conditions were in a big boat. We made the decision to cancel day 2 of the event for the safety of our anglers and members.”  

Tune in tomorrow for day 3 results and photos as the anglers enjoy the day off in Clayton, NY today!

For current standings of the event from Day 1 CLICK HERE

For day 1 Photos CLICK HERE

The 2014 TBF Federation Northern Division Championship started out on Wednesday Sept 3rd with the home state of Michigan jumping out to a sizable lead. The Michigan squad never looked back as the finished the event  held out of Elizabeth park at Trenton Michigan winning the division championship title in convincing fashion with a total weigh for their 12 person team of 514 pounds and 12 ounces. Which was a giant margin of 113 pounds and 10 ounces over second place finisher South Dakota who had 401lbs 2 oz. Full State team standings can be found by CLICKING HERE.

The battles in the individual standings was much much closer. The 2014 Division Champion overall winner was not from Michigan, it was Maplewood Minnesota’s own, Alex Orme who won the individual title with 57-14 over second place finisher who was fishing for Michigan, Heath Wagner but who calls Angola, Indiana home. He weighed weighed in 56-10 over the three tournament days.

While these no entry fee events are not “about” money there was nearly 20,000 in cash and prizes payout to the anglers including the Ranger Cup winner Scott Dobson from Clarkston, MI who took home 550.00 just for being the owner of a Ranger Boat!

The TBF Division Championship Series is made up of seven, three day events, (one in each of the 7 geographical regions if the US& Canada)  that pit the top 12 anglers from each Federation against each other for state and individual titles of division champions. However the real prize is the advancement, opportunities as the top two angler from each state advances to the 2015 TBF Federation National Championship to fish for thier share of over 200,000 in cash and prizes including the TBF Living The Dream packages, (a full year on the FLW tour and MORE all paid for!) plus 14 spot in the BFL All-American and 2 spot in the 2015 Forrest Wood Cup! ALL with no entry fees!

To see the full standings CLICK HERE

to see who the top two anglers are from each state that are advancing to the 2015 TBF Federation National Championship CLICK HERE

To see the photo albums for this event CLICK HERE