September 26^th and 27^th Washington State Bass Federation hosted the 2026 National Semifinals District 18 at Lake Wallula at the Clover Island Boat Launch.

21 of the best Boaters and Co-Anglers from Washington were joined with the best 11 Boaters and Co-Anglers from Oregon for the 2 day event to determine who from each state would advance to the National Championship.

After 2 competitive days that saw 484 Bass brought to the scales weighing a total of 1,082.37lbs the champions were crowned.

Washington State will see Ben Hanes join Darren Tabor the AOY on the Boaters side for Washington State Bass Federation at the National Championship after Ben concluded the 2 day event with 10 bass that weighed a combined total of 38.50lbs with a 4.46lb Big Bass to round out the Tournament.  Wes Wezenberg was named the Alternate with a Combined weight of 33.94lbs followed by Chris Lambert with 33.83lbs.  Chris Lambert is the owner of Lambert Home Mortgage and is a National Sponsor for the TBF.

Oregon Boater that advanced to the National Championship saw Rick Beko finish with a Combined weight of 35.20lbs and a Big Bass of 4.59lbs. Gary Cross will be Oregon’s Alternate with a combined weight of 30.54lbs followed up with Jason Virgil and 30.16lbs.

On the Co-Anglers side for Washington Tony Lofranco will join Justin Carlile Washington’s AOY for 2026.  Tony brought to the scales a total of 6 fish with a combined weight of 19.15lbs and a 4.14lb Big Bass.  Washingtons Alternate Marty Morin just edged out Shelia Tomlison who both had combined weights of 17.59lbs.  Marty’s Big Bass of 4.08lbs was the difference maker against Shelia who recorded a 3.86lb Big Bass.

Oregon’s Co-Anglers has Steve Gausnell joining the National Championship as he recorded 6 Bass weighing 21.06lbs and 4.23 Big Bass, following up his performance and Oregon’s Alternate is Tov Balter with 20.12lbs, 3^rd place was Dave Roberts with 18.75lbs.

With yet another successful National Championships concluded we at Washington State Bass Federation want to congratulate all of the Anglers that competed and the  winners and those that advanced to the National event and look forward to 2027.

On September 26^th-27^th, 2026 28 anglers descended upon Lake Rathbun for the TBF National Semi Final in pursuit of the last qualifying spots in the state for the 2027 TBF National Championship. Lake Rathbun is known to be a tough bass fishery with big fish potential and this event showed just how tough the lake can be. Anglers had to work for every bite, and no one had an easy day on the water with weights lower than normal.  Rain was also consistent throughout the weekend, creating a challenge for all.  As always though, someone figures them out and rises above the rest.

Aaron Benton won on the boater side and brought a two-day total of 19.23lb with a 5.55lb big bass on Day 2 that Lake Rathbun is known for to seal the deal and advance to the TBF National Championship. Gary Coffman won on the co angler side with a two-day total of 9.32lb. Gary had a strong day 1 and that was enough to carry him through day 2, which proved to be much tougher on the co angler side. Weights were very tight on the co angler side with 1^st-3^rd being decided by only .2 lb. 

Rathbun didn’t produce as many big fish as normal. Was it the weather? Was it the time of year? A fisherman will always wonder, but a good time was had by all and another successful National Semi Final Event is complete.  Good luck to our anglers Aaron Benton and Gary Coffman in March at the TBF National Championship and we look forward to seeing everyone next year!

On September 25-27 Virginia and West Virginia anglers converged on Virginia’s Lake Anna in Mineral Va. for the District 12 National Semifinal Championship. Sturgeon Creek Marina was the host for the 116 anglers to battle it out for slots in the 2027 TBF National Championship. The event started with a great pairings meeting at Callie Opie’s Orchard at which over 67 raffle prizes were handed out.

The anglers were greeted with very cool temperatures and wind gust to 30 mph on day one which was in starch contrast to the practice days. While Anglers found the practice days to produce nice catches, the cold front made fishing more difficult on day one. At the end of the weigh-in on the Angler side Virginia’s Lewis Williams was sitting in 1^st place with 15.77lbs followed by West Virginia’s Doug Wine in 2^nd place with 13.76lbs and West Virginia’s Jason Suter held the 3^rd spot with 13.44lbs. on the Co-angler side Virginia’s Drew Nalls was in 1^st with 9.66lbs followed by Virginia’s Scottie Melton with 7.85lbs and Virginia’s Paul Gyoker held 3^rd place with7.70lbs.

Overnight brought cold rain to the area and greeted the anglers with another cool blast off. On a positive note, the winds subsided on Day 2 to 5 mph allowing anglers to fish their offshore spots. At the end of the day Virginia’s Rick Mills brought 16.58lbs to the scales for a two-day total of 27.03lbs earning him 1^st place and a 3^rd consecutive trip to the TBF National Championship. West Virginia’s Jason Suter finished 2^nd bringing 11.72lbs to the scales for a total of 25.16lbs and Virginia’s Daniel Eubank finished 3^rd bringing 10.94lbs to the scales anchored by a 5.52lb largemouth giving him a total of 24.11lbs.

On the Co-angler side Virginia’s Scottie Melton brough in 7.77lbs for a two-day total of 15.62lbs for 1^st place.  Virginia’s James Boyles finished 2^nd bringing 6.84lbs to the scales for a total of 13.52lbs and Virginia’s Drew Nalls brought in 3.64lbs to the scales bringing his total to 13.30lbs to secure 3^rd place.

The winners of the Discount Tackle Gift Certificates were Angler Wayne Dorman from Virginia and Co-angler Bill Fore from West Virginia.

Qualifying for the 2027 TBF National Championship are Virginia’s Rick Mills, Daniel Eubank, Scottie Melton and James Boyles.  Representing West Virginia at the Championship will be Angler Jason Suter and Bill Fore.

The 2026 District 4 MS TBF Semi-Finals was held on September 26-27, 2026 on Sardis Lake at Engineers Point in Batesville, MS. Qualified anglers and co-anglers competed for the opportunity to advance to the 2027 TBF National Championship. For two days, anglers were met with cooler temperatures during the morning hours then clear skies and heat to finish up the afternoon.

After two days of competition, Anthony Blalock with a two-day total of 26.64 is the 2026 District 4 MS NSF Champion Boater. Anthony Blalock will represent Mississippi at the 2027 National Championship. Finishing 2nd was John Moody with a two-day total of 15.88. Finishing 3rd was Rick Stoddard with a two-day total of 13.06 pounds, fourth was Blake Duncan with a two-day total of 12.32 pounds, 5th was Ansel Davis with a two-day total of 11.20 pounds, and 6th was Brennon Murphy with a two-day total of 10.40 pounds.

On the co-angler side, Troy Ladner with a two-day total of 12.88 is the 2026 District 4 MS NSF Champion Co-angler and will represent Mississippi at the 2027 National Championship. Finishing 2nd was Chris Marshall with a two-day total of 12.32 pounds. Finishing 3rd was Ethan Moody with a two-day total of 7.42 pounds. Finishing 4th was Steve Shirley with a two-day total of 6.98 pounds, 5th was Devon Spinner with two-day total of 6.88 pounds and 6th was Charles Fairley with a two-day total of 6.24 pounds.

Big Fish for Day 1 Boater was 5.50 pounds caught by Anthony Blalock and Day 1 Co-angler was 2.96 pounds caught by Troy Ladner. Big Fish for Day 2 Boater was 4.16 pounds caught by Anthony Blalock and Day 2 Co-angler 2.82 pounds caught by Troy Ladner.

The Mississippi Bass Federation would like to thank all of the MS TBF Sponsors: Nitro Boats, Bass Pro Shop & Cabela’s, Minnkota, Humminbird, TH Marine, Strike King, Lew’s, Rapala, VMC, Sufix, Discount Tackle and Power Pole.