2026 DISTRICT 15 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS CONNECTICUT AND NEW JERSEY

The National Semi Finals Division 15 with Connecticut and New Jersey was held on Saturday 9/12 and Sunday 9/13. The tournament launched from French Creek Marina on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton NY. The playing field was both the American and Canadian sides of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.  The weather prediction for the tournament days was for a sunny mild Saturday and a partially cloudy Sunday with a chance of showers late in the day. Anglers had a five (5) fish limit with Co-Anglers having a three (3) fish limit.

As predicted Saturday was beautiful with low winds and very sunny skies.

Day 1 Angler weigh in started with CT’s Ryan Kusmit weighing in 22.78 lbs, followed closely by CT’s Keith Cleary 22.49 lbs, NJ’s Mike Czaplinski  21.78 lbs, NJ’s Daniel Goykhman 20.63 lbs and CT’s Matt Marinelli weighing in 20 lbs even.

Day 1 Co-Angler weigh in started with NJ’s Lee Didonato weighing in 13.17 lbs, NJ’s Adam Pruzansky 12.08 lbs, CT’s Chris Dreisch 11.92 lbs, NJ’s Pete Longo 9.99 lbs and CT.’s Jordan Banik weighing in 9.90 lbs.

As predicted Day 2 was cloudy with a light breeze but remained dry for the entire Day.

Day 2 Angler weigh in had NJ’s Daniel Goykhman weighing in the biggest bag of the tournament with a weight of 24.19 lbs, NJ’s Mike Czaplinski 20.90 lbs, NJ’s Ian Martin 20.27 lbs, NJ’s Mike Zampese 20.13 lbs and NJ’s Donny Diggs 19.68 lbs.

Day 2 Co-Angler weigh in started with CT’s Eric Baba weighing in the biggest bag of the tournament, 14.62 lbs, NJ’s Lee Didonato followed closely behing with 13.50 lbs, NJ’s Corey Winsiewski with 13.31 lbs, CT’s Chris Dreisch with 11.76 lbs and CT’s Jason Myslak with 11.61 lbs.

After all was said and done, NJ Angler Daniel Goykhman took the tournament with a winning weight of 44.82 lbs. and NJ Co-Angler Lee Didonato took the tournament with a winning weight of 26.67 lbs.

Anglers

1st place Daniel Goykhman 44.82 lbs

2nd place Mike Czaplinksi 42.68 lbs

3rd place Mike Zampese 40.00 lbs

4th place Ryan Kusmit 39.54 lbs

5th place Matt Marinelli 39.50 lbs

Day 1 Lunker Keith Cleary 5.73 lbs

Day 2 Lunker Daniel Goykhman 6.07 lbs

 

Co-Anglers

1st place Lee Didonato 26.67 lbs

2nd place Chris Dreisch 23.68 lbs

3rd place Corey Wisniewski 23.06 lbs

4th place Adam Pruzansky 20.19 lbs

5th place Jordan Banik 18.39 lbs

Day 1 Lunker Tim Kuuttila 6.23 lbs

Day 2 Lunker Eric Baba 5.31 lbs

Congratulations to all the participants and a big thank you to French Creek Marina for their help in hosting this event.

2026 DISTRICT 19 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS IDAHO AND MONTANA

The Idaho and Montana Bass Federations came together September 19–20, 2026, at Dworshak Reservoir in Orofino, Idaho, for the District 19 National Semifinal. The two-day competition brought together some of the top anglers from both states, with coveted spots in the 2027 TBF Federation National Championship on the line.

While the weather cooperated with mostly sunny skies and light winds throughout the weekend, Dworshak Reservoir wasn’t nearly as accommodating. The bite proved extremely stingy, and simply putting keeper bass in the boat was a challenge for much of the field. Despite the tough fishing, a handful of anglers were able to unlock the puzzle and bring some impressive bags to the scales.

The weekend kicked off Friday evening with a successful banquet, where anglers from Idaho and Montana had the opportunity to enjoy a great meal, catch up with old friends, meet new competitors and prepare for the two days of competition ahead.

Moua Dominates Boater Division

Montana’s Yeej Moua put together an outstanding two days on Dworshak, claiming the boater division victory with a commanding 49.37 pounds.

Moua’s performance was highlighted by a massive 7.85-pound smallmouth bass on Day 1, which earned honors as the biggest bass caught by any angler during the tournament. On a weekend when keeper bites were difficult to come by, Moua’s ability to consistently find quality fish separated him from the field.

Idaho’s Andrew Myers finished second with a two-day total of 31.99 pounds, followed by Lee Lambrecht in third with 25.90 pounds. Kobe Cox claimed fourth with 23.56 pounds, while Miles Klein rounded out the top five with 20.63 pounds.

Elmore Takes Co-Angler Title

The co-angler division came down to a much tighter battle.

Idaho’s Cody Elmore came out on top with a two-day total of 13.78 pounds. A 4.82-pound smallmouth on Day 2 provided the kicker Elmore needed to secure the victory.

Dallon Ruffing finished just 0.27 pounds behind Elmore with 13.51 pounds, while Brandon Harris took third with 12.23 pounds. Molly Miyaji finished fourth with 9.47 pounds, and Melvin Cromwell rounded out the top five with 9.46 pounds.

Four Anglers Punch Their Tickets to the 2027 National Championship

Beyond the trophies and bragging rights, the District 19 National Semifinal provided anglers with the opportunity to earn a spot on one of bass fishing’s biggest Federation stages.

Four anglers earned the opportunity to represent their respective states at the 2027 TBF Federation National Championship, scheduled for March 28–April 2, 2027. The championship location has not yet been announced.

Representing Montana will be boater Yeej Moua and co-angler Wyatt Marlow.

Representing Idaho will be boater Andrew Myers and co-angler Cody Elmore.

These four anglers, along with the state champions from Idaho and Montana, will represent their respective states at the 2027 Federation National Championship.

Congratulations to all of the anglers who competed in this year’s District 19 National Semifinal, and thank you to everyone who helped make the weekend a success. Tough fishing tested every competitor on Dworshak Reservoir, but the anglers who were able to put the pieces together showed exactly why they earned their place at the top of the standings.

Best of luck to our Idaho and Montana qualifiers as they prepare to represent their states on the national stage in 2027!

DISTRICT 8 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS SOUTH DAKOTA AND NEBRASKA

A soggy chilly morning greeted the anglers on Saturday Morning. The fishing was super tough this week the lake was turning over and it made for a super tough bite. Day 1 saw Chad Schwan jump into 1st with 17.97lb following closely behind was Brock Belik 16.88lb and Tyler Darling 15.97lb. Only 4 boater limits were weighed in on Day 1 . On the Co Angler side Tanner Hart surged to the top with 11.72 followed by Evan Cady 9.51lb and Cade Lierman with 7.30lb. Day 2 turned out to be tougher than day 1. Nicholas Siepker surged into 1st Place with a Day 2 Bag of 19.04 giving him a total of 34.05lb followed by Chad Schwan 28.65lb and Shawn Schmitz at 28.36lb . On the Co angler side Evan Cady snuck into 1st Place with a 3.42lber giving him 12.93lb overall followed by Tanner Hart 11.72lb and Cade Lierman at 10.44lb. Overall it was a super tough event. Travis Seitzinger weighed in a 6.25lb Largemouth for overall Boater Lunker and on Co Angler side Mark Schlenker weighed in a 5.23lb Lunker for the weekends biggest. 

DISTRICT 9 2026 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN

The National Semi Finals with Minnesota and Wisconsin was held Saturday and Sunday on Lake Minnetonka. Participants had a very windy Saturday to start the tournament. With Jake Hoevel 14.73 lbs Wi, Eric Ritter 14.54 lbs. Mn leading the boaters.  Co’s Ryan Hansen w/8.96 lbs. Mn and Brant Stahuulak w/8.95 lbs. Wi. Participants had a great fall morning for the final day. Final day had a great sunny calm day. Joe Birschbach with the biggest bag of the tournament 18.28 lbs. and a 2 day total of 31.28 to take first place. Eric Ritter was able to stay in second place w/30.19 lbs.  Co’s They switched places Brant Stahuulak w/16.60 lbs. Wi and Ryan Hansen w/16.26 lbs. Mn, also Dustin Diers w/16.25 lbs.

MN National Boater Qualifier is Eric Ritter

MN National Non Boater Qualifier is Ryan Hansen

WI National Boater Qualifier is Joe Birschbach

WI National Non Boater Qualifier is Brant Stahulak