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.
