Oregon and Washington Advance Anglers to National Event
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.
A total of $7,880 with 138% payback was awarded in cash and prizes. The top three boaters and co-anglers in the 19 boat field divvied up $4,275 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.
On day one, anglers faced a heavy west wind testing both their boating and fishing skills. Day one leader, Jeremy McKay, from Oregon estimated he made 25 stops looking for active fish. He managed to find 20.80 pounds anchored by tournament big bass a 5.69 pound beauty.
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.
The top Washington boater and second place finisher overall was Wes Wezenberg with 29.44 total pounds. Wezenberg received an $850 paycheck, a slot at the 2018 Federation National Championship, in addition to, the $500 Ranger Cup award being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler.
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.
Hernandez Ruffin was the top Washington co-angler and finished second overall with 23.36 pounds; he will advance to the national championship representing his state.
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.
The National Semi-Final 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 event went well thanks to the Oregon Bass Federation that ran the event and all the support from TBF’s sponsors; FLW, Ranger, Cabela’s, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Evinrude, Berkley and Power Pole.
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.
The New Jersey Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semi-final District 15 event on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey on September 30 and October 1. While fishing was spotty, given the beginning of the fall turnover, there were solid numbers and even some healthy weights caught across the board. A field of 36 boaters and co-anglers from Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island converged to vie for state bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies, Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.
The Montana Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semifinal District 19 event September 23-24 from Lakeside Resort on the Noxon Reservoir in Trout Creek, Mt. Scheduled reservoir draw downs forced the event date to change and forest fires in the N.W. even threatened cancellation of the event. Fortunately, the weather cooled down and the fires were controlled, allowing District 19 NSF anglers to compete. The boats launched from Trout Creek ramp to fish for state bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies, Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.
All 40 contestants caught fish on Noxon with healthy limits averaging in the mid-teens and one bag weighing a whopping 20.24 pounds. The big bag brought in by Idaho angler, Loren Torok, would be the first solid limit of two to make his tournament total 31.91 pounds and secure him the 2017 National Semi-Final District Champion boater title. Torok will advance to the 2018 national championship and also received a $1,410 paycheck for his win.
The tournament big fish was caught by Idaho co-angler, Keith Hoffman, on day one. The largemouth tipped the scales at 5.76 pounds. Ranger Cup winner was Ben Warren also from Idaho. Warren received $500 Ranger Cup award for being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler.
