Alabama and Mississippi Advance Anglers to National Event
The Mississippi Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semifinal District 4 event October 14-15 on Biloxi Back Bay in D’lberville, Miss. Anglers were met with warm temperatures, but high pressure kept the tide in, which made for a tough bite. Thirty-five boats launched from the D’Iberville Marina to seek out the champion titles and coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship plus bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies and Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies.
A total of $12,995 with 123% payback was awarded in cash and prizes. The top two boaters and co-anglers in the 35 boat field divvied up $7,875 in total cash payback, not including the $500 Ranger Cup award and the $1,000 Evinrude E-tec award for the winning boater (if he/she runs a 2012 or newer Etec Evinrude).
The new format pays back 100% of the entry fees, 75% to the top 20% of the field, 10% to the state federations and 15% to the TBF Federation National Championship.
After two days of competition, Mississippi boater, Wayne Parish, bested the boater field to be named the 2017 National Semi-Final Champion boater. Parish had five fish limits both days for 6.95 pounds and 7.55 pounds to make his tournament total 14.50 pounds. Parish received a $2,250 payday for his win. He will also represent Mississippi at the national event for the second year in a row.
The National Semi-Final Champion co-angler was, David Salter, from Alabama who caught five fish both days for 10.64 total pounds. Salter earned $1,125 for his win and will advance to nationals representing the state of Alabama.
Other NSF anglers advancing to the 2018 Federation National Championship are top Alabama boater, Larry Franks Jr., and top Mississippi co-angler, Justin McKee.
Mississippi TBF President, Edwin Gregory, also earned the $500 Ranger Cup award for being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler.
The Alabama Bass Federation maintains bragging rights for back to back District 4 State Pride Awards with 43.40 pounds. The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and co-anglers from each state selected prior to the event.
The National Semi-Finals format rolled out last year replacing the divisional events and state team line-ups. TBF anglers can now advance to a close-to-home NSF event in one of two ways. Active state clubs can advance their top two anglers, in addition, the top 10% of state event participation or a minimum of 12 anglers per state qualify, whichever is greater. The new format has been highly successful with state participation and membership up across the nation.
The hosting state of Mississippi provided Facebook Live coverage during the entire event for anglers, families, and friends. Thanks to the TBF of Mississippi, the City of D’Iberville, as well as, TBF’s Sponsors: FLW, Ranger, Cabela’s, Lowrance, MinnKota, Humminbird, Evinrude, Berkley and Power Pole.
Boaters
Wayne Parish (MS) 14.50 *National Qualifier for MS*
Mark Gwin (MS) 13.28
Edwin Gregory (MS) 12.39 *Ranger Cup Winner*
Timmy Ming (MS) 11.86
Danny Carter (MS) 11.73
Larry Franks Jr (AL) 11.41 *National Qualifier for AL*
James A Moore (AL) 10.80
Co-Anglers
David Salter (AL) 10.64 *National Qualifier for AL*
Justin McKee (MS) 7.73 *National Qualifier for MS*
David Reiland (MS) 7.45
Bruce Knippers (MS) 7.31
Jake Childers (AL) 7.29
Marks Wilkinson (MS) 6.59
Larry Davis (MS) 6.48
FULL RESULTS
The Maryland Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semifinal District 13 event September 30 and October 1 on the Upper Chesapeake Bay out of Dundee State Park. The event was originally scheduled as a two day event but due to high winds competition days were cut to one. Sunday’s temperatures were in the low 40’s with high pressure and low tide conditions, the result of Saturday’s harsh weather conditions. But, 60 TBF anglers braved the weather to fish for state bragging rights, deep payouts, trophies, Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.
The new format pays back 100% of the entry fees, 75% to the top 20% of the field, 10% to the state federations and 15% to the TBF Federation National Championship.
The Oregon Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semifinal District 18 event October 7-8 on the Columbia River on both the Bonneville and The Dalles pools. Pre-tournament fishing reports saw solid limits of smallmouth bass being caught on lures ranging from crankbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits and drop-shotting soft plastics (tubes, senkos and flukes). The majority of the fish were caught shallow from 5-15 feet of water across the entire pools. Thirty-eight anglers representing Oregon and Washington set out from The Dalles, Ore., to claim state bragging rights, deep payouts, trophies, Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.
Anglers faced a tough bite on day two due to lack of current and the wind that beat through the waters and anglers on day one. Slower fishing and patience proved key. Day one leader, McKay would go on to win it with a whopping 33.24 two day total. McKay was crowned District 18’s NSF Champion boater, received a $1,420 paycheck and will advance to nationals representing his state.
On the co-angler side, Scott Seros from Oregon caught 24.40 pounds to win the National Semi-Final Champion Co-angler title. Seros received a $710 paycheck and a slot in the national championship.
In the closest race to date for the NSF State Pride Awards, Washington won it with 160.21 pounds to Oregon’s 159.85 pounds. The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and co-anglers selected prior to the event from each state.
News Release
The event, presented by TBF and FLW each year will incorporate some of the new program changes brought about by the vote in response to requests by both junior anglers and their families over the years. Changes like a two-person team format and an added day of competition to include two days of competition and a final cut day by TBF division. Teams will also fish out of their own boats using their own boat captains. The age group will also be adjusted to include all anglers 15 years old and younger as of AUG 31 of the JWC event year. Anglers must not turn 16 before August 31. The annual junior membership of $25 will remain the same and separate from high school membership.
