Windy Conditions Make for Rough Waters on Lake Champlain – Vermont Takes Lead

Colchester, Vt.   (Sept. 12, 2012) – Windy conditions and 3 to 4 foot waves on Lake Champlain made it an extremely rough day for the anglers out on the water on the first day of competition of the 2012 Eastern Division Championship, presented by Berkley. With the lake being low and high winds, it was not been a good combination. Anglers from Vermont, New York, Ontario (Canada), Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut are vying for their spot in the 2013 TBF National Championship. They are hoping to follow suit of the current TBF National Champion, who came from the Eastern Division, Gilbert Gagner of Vermont and is fishing this tournament. Continue reading

Otto & Host Wisconsin State Team Sweep the 2012 Northern Division Championship

La Crosse, Wisc. (Sept. 7, 2012) – The race was tight between the top three finishers this week at the 2012 TBF Northern Division Championship, presented by Cabela’s. La Crosse native and Shawano High School business and marketing teacher, Ben Otto made a clean sweep on his hometown waters this week on the Mississippi River and was named the 2012 TBF Northern Division Champion today. He finished strong bringing in 16 lbs 2 oz today to finish out the week with a 3 day total of 47 lbs 8 oz. Continue reading

Otto & Wisconsin Maintain Leads After Day Two on the Mississippi

La Crosse, Wisc. (Sept. 6, 2012) – It was another gorgeous day here at La Crosse with highs in the 70s for the 2012 TBF Northern Division Championship, presented by Cabela’s. A cold front will be hitting the area overnight, making the final day a cool and rainy one. After day two, yesterday’s leader, Ben Otto of the Wisconsin State Team has maintained his lead, bringing in another solid limit that weighed 14 lbs 6 oz. His sack today was down from his 17 lbs yesterday, but was still enough to keep him at the top of the leaderboard. Continue reading

Wisconsin State Champ Ben Otto & His State Team Lead Day One at La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisc. (Sept. 5, 2012) – Ben Otto of the Wisconsin State Team leads overall after the first day of the 2012 TBF Northern Division Championship, presented by Cabela’s on the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wisc. The anglers are fishing pools 7, 8 & 9 this week.

Twenty-nine year old Otto, who was also the Wisconsin State Champion, took a very early lead when he weighed in 17-00 lbs. He had a kicker smallie that weighed  4 lbs. “I caught most of my fish on one little school. I had a pretty good limit by 10 o’clock today,” said Otto. “I know we have a weather change coming up, it could make things interesting on the third day, but things are going ok so far.” Otto is very familiar with the waters, he grew up in La Crosse, but now lives near Green Bay. Continue reading