Matthew Hartman of Fredricksburg, Pa., representing the Mid-Atlantic Division, won the Co-angler Division Saturday with four bass weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces giving him a three-day total of 11 bass weighing 27 pounds, 7 ounces.
“I do not know how I did this. I missed so many opportunities,” said Hartman. “On day one I brought in three fish, I broke one off, lost another and caught a ton of shorts throughout.”
Hartman said he used only one bait throughout the tournament. “The Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver – got me here, qualified me and it is all I used this week. Reaction Innovations will be getting a letter.”
Hartman earns a $10,000 prize package that includes $5,000 cash and a berth into the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup for a chance to fish for as much as $60,000. He also earned a berth into the BFL All-American presented by Chevy along with the top co-angler from each TBF division for a chance to fish for as much as $60,000.
Rounding out the division winners on the co-angler side were:
Central Division: Matt King, Olathe, Kan., eight bass, 20-6, $1,000
Eastern Division: Gilbert Gagner, Highgate Springs, Vt., nine bass, 16-15, $1,000
Northern Division: Kevin Wells, South Shore, Ky., nine bass, 19-14, $1,000
Northwest Division: Boyd Golightly, Preston, Idaho, five bass, 14-15, $1,000
Southern Division: Adam Williamson, Ridgeway, S.C., 10 bass, 26-2, $1,000
Southwest Division: Randy Pierson, Oakdale, Calif., nine bass, 23-12, $1,000
Overall there were 14 bass weighing 31 pounds, 5 ounces caught by seven co-anglers. The catch did not include any five-bass limits.
The entire field of 47 TBF boaters and 47 co-anglers competed Thursday and Friday for an accumulated two-day weight. The top boater and co-angler from each of the TBF’s seven divisions advanced to Saturday’s final round, where the winners were determined by the heaviest three-day accumulated weight.
Coverage of the TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on WFN (World Fishing Network) Sunday, June 20 at 7 p.m. ET.
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF), is the oldest and largest, organized grassroots angling organization in America. TBF is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year, and have provided the foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years.
For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com or call 580.765.9031.