The 2013 Mid-Atlantic Division Championship, presented by Ranger Boats and the New Jersey Bass Federation, wrapped up today on Lake Hopatcong in Mt. Arlington, N.J.   After leading the first two days, Scott Weiland and the New Jersey state team finish it up to claim the division champion titles.  The top two anglers from each state also earned slots in the 2014 Federation National Championship.

Weiland caught a five bass limit weighing 8lbs 2ounces today making his total weight 30lbs 1ounce.  “I’m happy that I won, but it was a really, really slow day of fishing,” Weiland said.  “I only had six keepers.  I caught them all pitching in the grass.”

Weiland threw a Keitech green pumpkin and blue jig all week, and a Berkley finesse worm.  He also culled a couple fish using a Texas and Wacky Rig Sancho.

“I used all different kinds of colors; it didn’t matter too much.  I was moving around a lot the first two days, doing a little thing here a little thing there.  I was just using area knowledge, knowing the lay of the land, so to speak.”

The New Jersey State team caught 43lbs 7ounces today making their total weight 161lbs 3ounces.  “We work great together as a team,” Weiland continued.  “We are all fierce competitors battling it out with each other when we’re out there, but in the end we’re good friends who always support each other.”

Weiland thanked Harvey Knight from Ranger Boats and MegaStrike for all their support of the New Jersey Bass Federation, and Keitech for the jigs he used all week.  He also thanked the New Jersey Bass Federation President, Tony Going, and his wife, Mary.

“We had great meetings.  Tony keeps a tight leash on us, basically, makes sure we work together, kind of like a little family.  I also want to thank my team members for everything, and him and Mary for putting on an awesome event.”

Full Results Here.

The 2013 Mid-Atlantic Division Championship presented by Ranger Boats and the New Jersey Bass Federation continued today on Lake Hopatcong from Lee’s Park in Mt. Arlington, N.J.  The home state team of New Jersey is out on top lead by, Scott Weiland, from Saddle Brook, N.J.  Tomorrow, the championship event will conclude.  Fourteen TBF anglers will advance to the 2014 Federation National Championship and the division champions will be crowned both in the team and individual standings.

Weiland had five bass limits both days, 12lbs 7ounces and 9lbs 8 ounces, making his two day total 21lbs 15ounces.  “It’s been tough out there for me too; I haven’t really been killing them by any means,” Weiland said.  “I had a few more bites today but not the quality I had yesterday.”

Weiland lives close by the lake, so he’s fishing very familiar waters.  “I’m basically junk fishing one or two main areas in grass then kind of junk fishing my favorite spots.  I hit 25 spots probably today, 15 different docks, rocks, trees or patches of grass throwing a variety of lures depending on the spot.”

Weiland said with the high pressure, full moon and the first big cold front that just came through the fishing is tougher than normal.  “We are in a transition; the lake’s starting to turn over and there are a lot of different variables working against us out there.  But, other than that, I think I’ll go out tomorrow, catch five more and hopefully, win it.”

Right behind Weiland in the individual standings is, Derick Olson, from Honey Brook, Penn.  Olson had a five bass limit today weighing 9lbs 4ounces making his two day total 19lbs 11ounces.  Olson will be looking to close the gap tomorrow in his final run for the champion title. 

In the team standings, New Jersey continues to lead with 64lbs 2ounces today making their total 117lbs 12ounces.  Less than an ounce out of the lead yesterday was the Delaware state team.  Today, Jersey widened the gap, but it’s still a tight race.  Delaware caught 39lbs 15ounces making their total 93lbs 8ounces. 

There’s a lot on the line for these anglers and state teams.  Tomorrow, we’ll see who’s got what it takes as the Mid-Atlantic showdown wraps up on Lake Hopatcong, the top two anglers from every state advance, and the titles are claimed. 

The Mid-Atlantic Division Championship presented by Ranger Boats and the New Jersey Bass Federation is underway.  TBF’s Mid-Atlantic anglers from six states and the District of Columbia launched off the shores of Lake Hopatcong today from Lee’s Park in Mt. Arlington, N.J.  TBF anglers competed locally and on the state level for over a year to qualify for the no-entry fee division championship event.  This week the champion titles will be crowned both in the individual and state team standings.

New Jersey state team and leader, Scott Weiland, from Saddle Brook, N.J., are leading in both standings.  Weiland had a five bass limit today weighing 12lbs 7ounces.  New Jersey state team had 28 bass weighing 53lbs 10ounces.

Second in the team standings, is Delaware state team with 53lbs 9ounces. In third, is Pennsylvania with 39lbs 10ounces followed close by West Virginia with 39lbs 3ounces.

Tomorrow, anglers will head out again in search of healthy limits to inch that much closer to the final day and all that comes with it.  This week 14 division state champions titles will be earned along with spots in the 2014 Federation National Championship.  The most bragged about titles will also be awarded, the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Division champions.

 Full results posted here.