PEABODY SHINES ON THE FLATS
Submitted by: Nick Angiulo
The New Jersey Bass Federation’s final tournament of the season proved to be a tense, competitive affair. Held on October 4, 2008, on the Northern Chesapeake/Susquehanna Flats, this event would determine the final yearly point standings and the final six spots on the New Jersey Bass Federation’s 2010 State Team. With no less than 15 anglers still in contention, the stakes were as high as the tension level. The weather added to the pressure, bringing bluebird skies and strong winds on tournament day. Nevertheless, as always, many Federation anglers caught good bags, and a significant shuffling of the final standings occurred.
Boater Division
Shaking off the effects of a poor Greenwood Lake tournament, which had temporarily dropped him out of the top six in the standings, Doug Peabody proved he would not be denied in his attempt to make his first State Team. Peabody, from Brick, New Jersey and a member of the Limiters, having been victorious two previous times in Federation events held on the waterway in the springtime, proved he is expert at finding and catching fish on the river system in any season. In this regard, he once again put together a quality bag of five fish, weighing 14.10 pounds, good enough to win the event by almost one-quarter of a pound. Included in his catch was the Boater Division lunker winning 4.54 pound fish. Peabody indicated that he was not on anything solid in practice, so he relied on advice from his Co-Angler, Ken Bertles, who indicated that he had an area of hard cover holding bigger fish close to the launch ramp in the North East River. Patiently fishing that area the entire day yielded 10 keeper bites. Doug stated that all of his fish fell for the same lure, a watermelon colored Zoom Baby Brush Hog thrown on a texas rig. This victory catapulted Peabody into fifth place in the final yearly standings and secured his spot on the 2010 State Team. For his victory, Doug received $690 as well as an additional $150 for his lunker. Peabody indicated that while the prize money was nice, the State Team berth was more significant to him. Doug also wished to that Ken Bertles for a great day on the water, as well as his Limiter club mates for all of their assistance.
Second place in the Boater Division went to Scott Weiland. Weiland, from Saddle Brook, New Jersey and also a member of the Limiters just barely missed winning the event. Weiland’s five fish limit tipped the scales at 13.86 pounds, leaving him short of first place in the event, but securing his spot on the 2010 State Team. Weiland indicated that he fished a weed flat near the entrance of the Susquehanna River in the morning where he immediately caught 12 to 15 keepers on a one -quarter ounce white spinnerbait. When the wind increased later in the morning, Scott moved into the North East River where he caught several other keeper-sized fish on a crankbait, a jig and a Yamamoto Senko. Scott received $552 for his second place finish.
Third place in the Boater Division went to Federation Vice President Mike Hart. Hart, from Stanhope, New Jersey and a member of the Mega Bass 6, brought in a five fish limit totaling 13.20 pounds. Mike indicated that his morning was unsuccessful fishing docks in the Bohemia River. After only catching one fish, he decided to return to the North East River. Switching tactics, he began throwing a watermelon candy Zoom Baby Brush Hog on a jig head and quickly caught several bigger fish in a marina area, securing his limit in the short time he had to fish in the afternoon. Mike wished to thank Nick Angiulo for his help during the event in tipping him off as to the hot lure. For his third place Boater Division finish, Mike received $379. Additionally, he will receive $100 in Ranger Cup money as the highest finishing eligible Ranger Boat owner.
Rounding out the rest of the top Boater Division finishers was Derick Olson in fourth place with a five-fish limit weighing 11.94 pounds, worth $276; Nick Angiulo in fifth place with a five-fish limit weighing 11.54 pounds, worth $241; and Frank White in sixth place with a five-fish limit weighing 10.06 pounds, worth $172.
Co-Angler Division
Capturing first place in the Co-Angler Division by nearly two pounds with 9.14 pounds was Ken Bertles. Bertles, from Pennsville, New Jersey and a member of the Gloucester County Bassmasters, reported losing several fish in the morning, including one big bass. However, he did not get discouraged and continued fishing hard, eventually getting three fish to the boat, including the Co-Angler Division winning 4.56 pound lunker. Ken indicated that in the week preceding the event, his Boater, Doug Peabody, and he discussed their strategy. Ken told Doug that he had an excellent area and Doug agreed that the two would fish in that location. Ken caught all of his fish on the same lure thrown by Doug, a texas rigged watermelon colored Zoom Baby Brush Hog. The Co-Angler Division victory was Ken’s first in the Federation after many previous top 10 finishes over the years. Ken stated that he was very happy to have helped Doug secure a spot on the State Team and indicated that the two of them had a great day on the water. For his Co-Angler Division victory, Ken received $490 and an additional $100 for his Co-Angler Division lunker.
Finishing second in the Co-Angler Division was Craig Mangano, also a member of the Gloucester County Bassmasters. Craig, who is from West Deptford, New Jersey, brought four fish totaling 7.24 pounds to the scales. Craig indicated that he caught his fish in the northern part of the river system with most of his fish falling for a sexy shad colored crankbait. The remainder of his fish were caught on soft plastics. Craig wished to thank his Boater, Derick Olson, for a great day on the water. He also thanked his club mates who have helped him progress in only his second year of tournament fishing. For his second place Co-Angler Division finish, Craig received $392.
The third place Co-Angler was Al Hudson of the K.O.B.A. chapter. Hudson, from Elizabeth, New Jersey brought three keepers to the scales totaling 6.60 pounds. This finish capped off a very successful Federation tournament year for Al where he received checks in three of the five point events and finished as the highest ranking Co-Angler in the overall yearly standings. Al received the third place Co-Angler Division prize of $269.
Rounding out the rest of the top Co-Angler Division finishers was Ken Merlock and Bill Burke in a tie for fourth place with two fish and one fish, respectively, weighing 3.52 pounds, worth $183.50 each; and Ben Mele in sixth place with one fish weighing 2.72 pounds, worth $122.
Final Yearly Standings/Awards
The Northern Chesapeake/Susquehanna Flats event proved to be a “make or break” event for several anglers who hoped to finish in the top six in the yearly standings. Two anglers who appeared solidly headed for a spot on the State Team prior to the event, dropped out of the top six and two anglers who started the day on the outside looking in earned themselves a State Team spot. The final standings show that the top six finishers, in order, are: Derick Olson (965 points); Scott Weiland (960 points); Sean Loll (934 points); Nick Angiulo (924 points); Doug Peabody (909 points); and Scott Kirkpatrick (899 points). These anglers, along with the six qualifiers from the 2009 Team Tournament, earned the right to be members of the 2010 New Jersey Bass Federation State Team and fish in the 2010 TBF Mid-Atlantic Divisional next September to be hosted by Maryland.
Also, by virtue of his placing at the top of the yearly standings, Derick Olson is the 2009 New Jersey Bass Federation Mr. Bass and will have the honor of serving as Captain of the 2010 State Team. Derick also received a gift certificate from Castrol for this achievement. As stated above, Al Hudson finished the year as the top Co-Angler. Al finished the season in a tie for 8TH place overall, with 889 points.
While no angler on the Boater side qualified for Rookie of the Year, the Co-Angler Rookie of the Year went to Ken Merlock. Merlock, from Mays Landing, New Jersey, and a member of the Bass Assassin Six, had a tremendous tournament season, cashing checks in four of the five point events. Overall, he finished in 11TH place in the standings with 875 points.
Miscellaneous Notes
1.The statistics for this event showed that seven five-fish limits were brought to the scales and 97 fish totaling 211.88 pounds were weighed in. All fish were released alive.
2.In the five point events comprising the 2009 tournament season, Federation anglers brought 839 fish to the scales weighing 1,826.15 pounds. Of those fish, 832 (99.17%) were released alive. The Federation anglers and Tournament Staff should be commended for their excellent handling of the fish during the entire season.
3.As in all previous events this season, the Federation gave out a huge amount of merchandise in a free raffle at the end of the event. All anglers who did not receive prize money in the event were eligible for the raffle so long as they were present when it was drawn.
4.By virtue of being the second highest placing eligible Ranger Boat owner, Darren Pincus will receive $90 in Ranger Cup bonus money.
5.As per each previous event this season, an extra $600 ($300 per Division) in prize money was added to the purse for this event by the Federation Board of Directors.
6.The four $500 raffle prizes for the anglers who competed in all five regular Federation tournaments were drawn at the end of the event, and the winners were as follows: Anthony Williams; Doug Peabody; Forest Honeywell; and Derick Olson.
Submitted by: Nick Angiulo
The New Jersey Bass Federation’s final tournament of the season proved to be a tense, competitive affair. Held on October 4, 2008, on the Northern Chesapeake/Susquehanna Flats, this event would determine the final yearly point standings and the final six spots on the New Jersey Bass Federation’s 2010 State Team. With no less than 15 anglers still in contention, the stakes were as high as the tension level. The weather added to the pressure, bringing bluebird skies and strong winds on tournament day. Nevertheless, as always, many Federation anglers caught good bags, and a significant shuffling of the final standings occurred.
Boater Division
Shaking off the effects of a poor Greenwood Lake tournament, which had temporarily dropped him out of the top six in the standings, Doug Peabody proved he would not be denied in his attempt to make his first State Team. Peabody, from Brick, New Jersey and a member of the Limiters, having been victorious two previous times in Federation events held on the waterway in the springtime, proved he is expert at finding and catching fish on the river system in any season. In this regard, he once again put together a quality bag of five fish, weighing 14.10 pounds, good enough to win the event by almost one-quarter of a pound. Included in his catch was the Boater Division lunker winning 4.54 pound fish. Peabody indicated that he was not on anything solid in practice, so he relied on advice from his Co-Angler, Ken Bertles, who indicated that he had an area of hard cover holding bigger fish close to the launch ramp in the North East River. Patiently fishing that area the entire day yielded 10 keeper bites. Doug stated that all of his fish fell for the same lure, a watermelon colored Zoom Baby Brush Hog thrown on a texas rig. This victory catapulted Peabody into fifth place in the final yearly standings and secured his spot on the 2010 State Team. For his victory, Doug received $690 as well as an additional $150 for his lunker. Peabody indicated that while the prize money was nice, the State Team berth was more significant to him. Doug also wished to that Ken Bertles for a great day on the water, as well as his Limiter club mates for all of their assistance.
Second place in the Boater Division went to Scott Weiland. Weiland, from Saddle Brook, New Jersey and also a member of the Limiters just barely missed winning the event. Weiland’s five fish limit tipped the scales at 13.86 pounds, leaving him short of first place in the event, but securing his spot on the 2010 State Team. Weiland indicated that he fished a weed flat near the entrance of the Susquehanna River in the morning where he immediately caught 12 to 15 keepers on a one -quarter ounce white spinnerbait. When the wind increased later in the morning, Scott moved into the North East River where he caught several other keeper-sized fish on a crankbait, a jig and a Yamamoto Senko. Scott received $552 for his second place finish.
Third place in the Boater Division went to Federation Vice President Mike Hart. Hart, from Stanhope, New Jersey and a member of the Mega Bass 6, brought in a five fish limit totaling 13.20 pounds. Mike indicated that his morning was unsuccessful fishing docks in the Bohemia River. After only catching one fish, he decided to return to the North East River. Switching tactics, he began throwing a watermelon candy Zoom Baby Brush Hog on a jig head and quickly caught several bigger fish in a marina area, securing his limit in the short time he had to fish in the afternoon. Mike wished to thank Nick Angiulo for his help during the event in tipping him off as to the hot lure. For his third place Boater Division finish, Mike received $379. Additionally, he will receive $100 in Ranger Cup money as the highest finishing eligible Ranger Boat owner.
Rounding out the rest of the top Boater Division finishers was Derick Olson in fourth place with a five-fish limit weighing 11.94 pounds, worth $276; Nick Angiulo in fifth place with a five-fish limit weighing 11.54 pounds, worth $241; and Frank White in sixth place with a five-fish limit weighing 10.06 pounds, worth $172.
Co-Angler Division
Capturing first place in the Co-Angler Division by nearly two pounds with 9.14 pounds was Ken Bertles. Bertles, from Pennsville, New Jersey and a member of the Gloucester County Bassmasters, reported losing several fish in the morning, including one big bass. However, he did not get discouraged and continued fishing hard, eventually getting three fish to the boat, including the Co-Angler Division winning 4.56 pound lunker. Ken indicated that in the week preceding the event, his Boater, Doug Peabody, and he discussed their strategy. Ken told Doug that he had an excellent area and Doug agreed that the two would fish in that location. Ken caught all of his fish on the same lure thrown by Doug, a texas rigged watermelon colored Zoom Baby Brush Hog. The Co-Angler Division victory was Ken’s first in the Federation after many previous top 10 finishes over the years. Ken stated that he was very happy to have helped Doug secure a spot on the State Team and indicated that the two of them had a great day on the water. For his Co-Angler Division victory, Ken received $490 and an additional $100 for his Co-Angler Division lunker.
Finishing second in the Co-Angler Division was Craig Mangano, also a member of the Gloucester County Bassmasters. Craig, who is from West Deptford, New Jersey, brought four fish totaling 7.24 pounds to the scales. Craig indicated that he caught his fish in the northern part of the river system with most of his fish falling for a sexy shad colored crankbait. The remainder of his fish were caught on soft plastics. Craig wished to thank his Boater, Derick Olson, for a great day on the water. He also thanked his club mates who have helped him progress in only his second year of tournament fishing. For his second place Co-Angler Division finish, Craig received $392.
The third place Co-Angler was Al Hudson of the K.O.B.A. chapter. Hudson, from Elizabeth, New Jersey brought three keepers to the scales totaling 6.60 pounds. This finish capped off a very successful Federation tournament year for Al where he received checks in three of the five point events and finished as the highest ranking Co-Angler in the overall yearly standings. Al received the third place Co-Angler Division prize of $269.
Rounding out the rest of the top Co-Angler Division finishers was Ken Merlock and Bill Burke in a tie for fourth place with two fish and one fish, respectively, weighing 3.52 pounds, worth $183.50 each; and Ben Mele in sixth place with one fish weighing 2.72 pounds, worth $122.
Final Yearly Standings/Awards
The Northern Chesapeake/Susquehanna Flats event proved to be a “make or break” event for several anglers who hoped to finish in the top six in the yearly standings. Two anglers who appeared solidly headed for a spot on the State Team prior to the event, dropped out of the top six and two anglers who started the day on the outside looking in earned themselves a State Team spot. The final standings show that the top six finishers, in order, are: Derick Olson (965 points); Scott Weiland (960 points); Sean Loll (934 points); Nick Angiulo (924 points); Doug Peabody (909 points); and Scott Kirkpatrick (899 points). These anglers, along with the six qualifiers from the 2009 Team Tournament, earned the right to be members of the 2010 New Jersey Bass Federation State Team and fish in the 2010 TBF Mid-Atlantic Divisional next September to be hosted by Maryland.
Also, by virtue of his placing at the top of the yearly standings, Derick Olson is the 2009 New Jersey Bass Federation Mr. Bass and will have the honor of serving as Captain of the 2010 State Team. Derick also received a gift certificate from Castrol for this achievement. As stated above, Al Hudson finished the year as the top Co-Angler. Al finished the season in a tie for 8TH place overall, with 889 points.
While no angler on the Boater side qualified for Rookie of the Year, the Co-Angler Rookie of the Year went to Ken Merlock. Merlock, from Mays Landing, New Jersey, and a member of the Bass Assassin Six, had a tremendous tournament season, cashing checks in four of the five point events. Overall, he finished in 11TH place in the standings with 875 points.
Miscellaneous Notes
1.The statistics for this event showed that seven five-fish limits were brought to the scales and 97 fish totaling 211.88 pounds were weighed in. All fish were released alive.
2.In the five point events comprising the 2009 tournament season, Federation anglers brought 839 fish to the scales weighing 1,826.15 pounds. Of those fish, 832 (99.17%) were released alive. The Federation anglers and Tournament Staff should be commended for their excellent handling of the fish during the entire season.
3.As in all previous events this season, the Federation gave out a huge amount of merchandise in a free raffle at the end of the event. All anglers who did not receive prize money in the event were eligible for the raffle so long as they were present when it was drawn.
4.By virtue of being the second highest placing eligible Ranger Boat owner, Darren Pincus will receive $90 in Ranger Cup bonus money.
5.As per each previous event this season, an extra $600 ($300 per Division) in prize money was added to the purse for this event by the Federation Board of Directors.
6.The four $500 raffle prizes for the anglers who competed in all five regular Federation tournaments were drawn at the end of the event, and the winners were as follows: Anthony Williams; Doug Peabody; Forest Honeywell; and Derick Olson.
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2009 NJ Bass Federation Tournament Report
Bass Boat Insurance
1-800-476-5667
1-800-476-5667
SUSQUEHANNA FLATS, MD - Oct 4th, 09
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