Arkansas and Oklahoma Advance Anglers to Nationals

The Arkansas Bass Federation played host as the District 6 NSF qualifiers converged on Lake Dardanelle State Park September 16^–17 to determine who would advance to the 2018 Federation National Championship representing their respective states.  Four spots were up for grabs with one boater and co-angler advancing from each state.  Anglers faced heat, sunshine and a tough bite on Lake Dardanelle as 31 boats set out to claim state bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies and Ranger and Evinrude contingencies plus the coveted national championship slots.

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.

A total of $11,720 with 126% payback was awarded in cash and prizes.  The top six boaters and co-anglers in the 31 boat field divvied up $6,975 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, Mike Webster of Arkansas was the overall winner in the boater division with a two day total of 27.09 pounds. Webster received a $2,070 paycheck and the opportunity to represent Arkansas at nationals.

Gene Vogt was Oklahoma’s top boater with a two day total of 17.60 pounds. Vogt will represent Oklahoma at the Federation National Championship in the boater division.

On the co-angler side, Randy Allen, from Arkansas bested the field with a tournament total of 19.92 pounds. Allen received a $1,035 prize check for his efforts plus a slot at nationals.

Donnie Combrink will also advance to nationals as Oklahoma’s highest finishing co-angler with a total of 10.41 pounds.

The Arkansas Bass Federation dominated the state pride competition with 111.40 pounds taking home bragging rights and the District 6 State Pride Award. 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 event went well thanks to the Arkansas 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.

FULL RESULTS

Top 6 :

Boater 
Mike Webster (AR) – 27.09 ** National qualifier for AR**
Doug Thompson (AR) – 26.32
Randy Brickell (AR) – 21.69
Gene Vogt (OK) – 17.60 ** National qualifier for OK**
Floyd Davis (AR) – 16.54
Marc Down (OK) – 14.10

Co-anglers
Randy Allen (AR) – 19.92 ** National qualifier for AR**
Rod Martinez (AR) – 15.20
Fred Wantland (AR) – 14.66
Jonathan Dotson (AR) – 13.24
Donnie Combrink (OK) – 10.41 ** National qualifier for OK**
Brett Kreiger (OK) – 10.14

Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota Advance Anglers 

The Nebraska Bass Federation hosted the 2017 District 08 National Semi Final event September 16-17 featuring anglers from Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.  Iowa’s Lake Okoboji welcomed anglers with ideal weather conditions that helped yield strong bites.  In District 8, 39 boats were in the chase for state bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies and Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.

The dynamic fishery is central for all three states and loaded with fat, aggressive smallmouth and largemouth bass, which several anglers reported finding their limit share of by 9am.   Three anglers brought bags over 19 pounds to the scales on day one, but Jerry Pape from Nebraska started out on top with 19.56 pounds.

On day two, a front pushed through and gave way to clear skies and cooler temperatures, which made the morning slow.  However, anglers managed to figure them out as the day progressed and Nebraska boater, Jerry Pape, was able to hold on to the lead and ultimately, the NSF Boater Champion title.  Pape’s two day total was 34.93 pounds and he was awarded $2,280 for his win plus a slot in the national championship.

Pape was followed closely in second by South Dakota’s, Justin Heidinger, with 34.24 pounds who will also advance to nationals being the highest finishing boater to represent his state.  Paul Reinbold will also advance as the highest finishing North Dakota boater with 31.52 pounds.

On the co-angler side, it was a wild ride from start to finish.  But, consistency paid off for anglers that were able to hammer a few out each day. In the end, Nebraska’s, Jeremy Rasmussen, seized the NSF Co-angler title with a tournament total of 23.85 pounds.  Rasmussen was awarded $1,140 for his two days of work and will advance to nationals representing his state.

In second overall and representing the South Dakota co-angler division at nationals will be Ronald Dillon with 22.51 pounds.  Matthew Franz will round out the national qualifiers as the highest finishing North Dakota angler to represent his state.

The Nebraska Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights in the state pride competition followed by South Dakota and North Dakota.  The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and co-anglers selected prior to the event from each state.

In the end, 78 boats brought in 484 bass weighing 1345.97 pounds.  The hosting state of Nebraska provided live coverage during the event on their TBF of Nebraska Facebook page, including the weigh-ins each day. It provided a unique experience for the anglers and for family, friends and fans back home to follow their favorite anglers.   Thanks to the TBF of Nebraska, as well as, TBF’s sponsors; FLW, Ranger, Cabela’s, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Evinrude, Berkley and Power Pole.

FULL RESULTS

The Ohio Bass Federation hosted the 2017 TBF National Semifinal District 11 event September 9-10 out of Elizabeth Park Marina on the Lower Detroit River in Trenton, Mich.  Anglers covered a large area of Michigan waters during the two day event, fishing Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and Lake Erie.  In District 11, boats launched from Elizabeth Park Marina to battle it out for state bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies, Ranger Cup and Evinrude contingencies plus coveted spots in the 2018 Federation National Championship.

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.

A total of $17,800 with 118.5% payback was awarded in cash and prizes.  The top 10 boaters and coanglers in the 50 boat field divvied up a whopping $11,250 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, Pat Upthagrove from Michigan bested the boater field with a two day total of 42.99 pounds.  Upthagrove was crowned District 11’s NSF Champion boater and received a $2,500 paycheck.

The NSF co-angler champion was Josh Kolodzaike also from Michigan.  Kolodzaike had a tournament total of 30.56 pounds for a total cash payout of $1,250.  Both Michigan anglers will advance to the 2018 Federation National Championship.

Curtis Dowell was the top Ohio boater and finished fourth overall with 36.53 pounds; he will advance to the national championship representing his state.  Ohio’s James Kain finished right behind Kolodzaike on the coangler side with 29.04 pounds.  Kain will also represent Ohio at the national championship event.

Third place finishing boater, Randy Ramsey, took home the $500 Ranger Cup award being the highest finishing Ranger Cup qualified angler.  Big bass honors went to Ross Parsons who caught a healthy 6.48 pound Lake St. Clair smallmouth; Parson’s personal best.

The Michigan Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the District 11 State Pride Award with 249.1 total 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 event went well thanks to the Ohio 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.

FULL RESULTS

The Wisconsin Bass Federation hosted the TBF National Semifinal for District 9 which included the top anglers from Wisconsin and Minnesota.  The tournament was held September 9-10 on Lake Winneconne in Winneconne, WI.  The new TBF National Semi-Finals program pits top grassroots anglers from each state in a “close to home” weekend event with neighboring states for significant cash prizes and advancements.

Rick Bosshard – NSF Boater Champion – WI

The anglers could not have asked for better weather for the tournament with clear skies and light winds both tournament days. TBF anglers launched from Lake Winneconne but with the light winds many made the half hour run to Lake Winnebago to chase smallmouth bass and it paid off.

A total of $18,440 with 118.5% payback was awarded in cash and prizes.  The top ten boaters and coanglers in the 53 boat field divvied up $11,700 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).

On day one, Jim Barczak, from Minnesota took a slight lead on the boater’s side with a limit of bass weighing 14.90 pounds.  Not far behind was another Minnesota angler, Scott Bonnema with 14.70, three from Wisconsin finished off the top five, Rick Bosshard, Tim Schulz and Dustin O’Shaughnessy, respectively.

Clint Seehusen from Minnesota led the co-angler side with a limit of bass weighing 13.07 pounds.  The Wisconsin leader was Mike Cottrell with five fish totaling 9.99 pounds.

After two days of competition, Rick Bosshard was the boater champion of the 2017 District 9 NSF event.  Bosshard caught another five fish limit weighing 13.49 pounds to make his two day total 27.95 pounds.  He received a $2,600 paycheck and a slot in the 2018 Federation National Championship.

Scott Bonnema came in fourth overall and was the highest finishing Minnesota boater. Bonnema caught a limit both days for a two day total of 27.16 pounds.  He scored a $610 paycheck for his two days of work and will also advance to the national event.

Mike Cottrell – NSF Coangler Champion – WI

On the co-angler side, Mike Cottrell of Wisconsin came in with four fish weighing 8.36 pounds to make his two day total 18.35 pounds.  Cottrell secured the NSF Co-angler title plus a $1,300 paycheck for the win. For Minnesota, Dave Berg came from behind to take second overall with 15.38 pounds.  Both anglers will advance as the top co-angler’s representing their respective states.

The Wisconsin Bass Federation made the final sweep taking home bragging rights and the District 9 State Pride Award with 109.59 total pounds.  The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and co-anglers from each state, which are selected prior to the event.

Congratulations to Kevin Fassbind the $500 Ranger Cup winner.

In the end, 53 anglers brought in 444 bass weighing in at a whopping 1075.71 pounds. The event went well thanks to the Wisconsin 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.

FULL RESULTS

Scott Bonnema Top Advancing MN Boater

Dave Berg Top Advancing MN Coangler