Bergen Bassmasters

Bergen Bassmasters The Bergen Bassmasters was formed in 1986 and has since grown into one of the most respected clubs. Bergen members enjoy numerous benefits from the club.

The Bergen Bassmasters was formed in 1986 and has since grown into one of the most respected bass fishing clubs in the state of New Jersey. The club was affiliated with the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) until 2006 when the NJ Bass Federation opted to re-align with TBF, The Bass Federation, partnered up with the FLW organization. Founded on many basic principles, the club strives to rei

nforce the beliefs that we were founded on along with those of the TBF organization. The club involves itself with more than just fishing, keeping up to date with youth and environmental issues as well. Beginning in 1989, the club has held fishing derbies for both the local Cub Scouts and also for the handicapped. The annual "Outing for the Disabled" has won both State and National awards and the club has been selected as the NJ Bass Federation's Chapter of the Year a total of nine times. We also support our troops c/o the USO and have managed multiple benefit tournaments for the troops c/o the USO. The Bergen Bassmasters is the largest Federation Chapter in New Jersey having 36 members and a waiting list for future members. Monthly meetings are held in Oradell on the third Thursday of each month except December. Club tournaments are held in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, fishing 7 qualifying events. The club sends its top finishers to the annual New Jersey Top Six Team Tournament. We also conduct numerous buddy tournaments, some open only to club members and observers but also conduct an Open Event Night Tournament each year for non-members. There are monthly meetings, an extensive website loaded with information that highlights club activities, tournament results, and other fishing related topics. Of course there are the regular club tournaments as well as casual buddy events and the 2-day weekend Classic which is sponsored by the club. The year wraps up with a Gala bash at the Awards Banquet where plaques are presented, a Chinese auction is held, funny stories are shared and a great time is had by all. The Bergen Bassmasters is more than just a fishing club. It is an organization where bass anglers can meet new friends, learn new techniques, be aware of environmental issues, and give something back to those less fortunate. The club epitomizes what being a Bass Federation Chapter is all about.

Bergen Bassmasters had its 5th points tournament on Greenwood Lake 8/29/26, awesome weather, but not awesome fishing. Gr...
09/01/2026

Bergen Bassmasters had its 5th points tournament on Greenwood Lake 8/29/26, awesome weather, but not awesome fishing. Greenwood Lake was stingy giving up bites, but Mike Rinaldi knew how to find them and took home. The win, even his co-angler got a limit. Congrats to those that placed.

1 Mike Rinaldi 5 bass 11.07
2 Rob Curtis 5 bass 10.76
3 Rich Cataggio 5 bass 9.93
4 John Turney 5 bass 9.13
5 John Giordano 3 bass 7.97
6 Bill Vella 5 bass 7.92
7 John Messinger 3 bass 6.79
8 Jason Mordhorst 4 bass 6.20
9 Andy Karcich 4 bass 5.97
10 Greg Trass 4 bass 5.48
11 Doug Giachino 2 bass 4.73
12 Bob O’John 2 bass 2.59
13 Enrico Casatelli 1 bass 1.75
14 John Ernest 2 bass 1.68
15 Joe Ginski 1 bass 1.52
Kenny, Kirk and Erik DNW
Total weight 93.49
Total bass 49 (all released alive)
Lunker 4.24 LMB John Turney

Bergen Bassmasters had it's night points Tournament on Candlewood Lake 8/15/26.Was a tough bite for some, compared to us...
09/01/2026

Bergen Bassmasters had it's night points Tournament on Candlewood Lake 8/15/26.
Was a tough bite for some, compared to usual results.
Congrats to John Ernest on the win, and all those that placed.

1st John E 19.09 lbs
2nd Erik R 17.41
3rd Jason 14.62
4th Greg 12.63 Lunker 5.44
5th Billy 12.32
Andy11.97
Frank 11.05
Rob C 9.12
Bryan 7.48
John G 6.56
Dennis 4.16 OBS
Ken 3.30 OBS
Sean 3.20 OBS
Stephen 2.15 OBS
Enrico DNW
Eric L DNW

Bergan Bassmaster had it regular season points tournament on the Mohawk River 8/8/26.Another tough bite this year on thi...
09/01/2026

Bergan Bassmaster had it regular season points tournament on the Mohawk River 8/8/26.
Another tough bite this year on this usually great body of water.
Congrats to Bryan G for the win and all those that placed.

1st Bryan G 13.81
2nd John M 11.36
3rd Jason M 8.55 and lunker 3.94
4th Scott M 5.51
5th Enrico 5.19
Erik 4.80
Billy 4.57
Kris 4.54
Ricardo 3.30
John E 2.95
Andy 2.89
Frank 2.77
Doug 1.61
Vern 1.04

Results: Bergen's 26th Annual Open Night Tournament;Sorry for the delay in getting this out.Perfect night fishing weathe...
07/27/2026

Results: Bergen's 26th Annual Open Night Tournament;
Sorry for the delay in getting this out.
Perfect night fishing weather greeted 36 Bergen Open participants to Candlewood Lake on 7/11/26. Although we were lucky with the date and the weather, the fishing was tough for some, but all. 16 pounds seemed to be the average bag for 2 anglers. Of course there are always a few teams who top the 18 to 20 pound mark, and they are usually the same guys. But fishing at night on Candlewood, especially after the local boaters go home to sleep, is a special experience for us night owls. Bergen guys will be doing it again on 7/18 and then for a final midnight cast, the "2nd Chance" Night Open is set for August 1.
The water temps averaged 81-82 degrees and there was little or no wind and no moon (except a sliver after 2AM). All Team who stayed to weigh had a limit and giver 36 angler's, we only had one DOA bass. We paid out to the Top Six Teams and one Team just missing a payout was awarded with two gift certificates to Bounty Hunters Tackle Shop in New Town CT c/
• Devon Ramos. Remarkably, the 3rd Place Team of Anthony Consiglio and Dan Coe won both Lunker Awards with a 5.29 smallie and a 5.14 largemouth.
Teams and weight:
1. Devon Ramos and Lenny Gaita
2. Alex Schvartsman and David Boyd
3. Anthony Consiglio and Dan Coe
4. Dustin Smith and Lucke Lashawn
5. Jay Newsome and Jim Struble
6. Jim Sparone and Scott Mitchell
7. John Garbarini and Andrew Bornn
8. Jason Mordhorst and Renato Santos
9. Rob Hintzen and R,J. Chlebnikow
10 Bill Vella and John Giordano
11. Erick Markstaller and Brandon Wilson 12.59
12 John Ernest and Rob Curtis
13. Andy and Steve Karcich
21.14
18.58 18.03
16.54
16.47
16.22 15.04
13.82
12.69
12.63
12.50
12.32
Teams 14 to 18, Did Not Weigh
Total weight: 210.76
Number of bass: 70 (1 DOA)
Average weight: 3.01 Ibs
Lunkers (two: 5.29 and 5.14)

Tough seeing many overturned boats and pontoons from last week's storm, glad that no one was hurt!
"2nd Chance Night Open" on Candlewood August 1-2, 2026
Registration 6PM to 7:20PM (sharp)
No plaques, no prizes, no frills, no advance registration, just 80% payback and two lunker awards $220. Just show up at Squantz from 6PM to 7:20PM. Must be two anglers per boat, Sign the waiver and show us a copy of your boater's insurance certificate.
Nick Albano
Bergen Bassmasters
917-217-9350

Bergen Bassmasters had its annual classic in the St. Lawrence River this past Friday and Saturday. The weather was terri...
06/23/2026

Bergen Bassmasters had its annual classic in the St. Lawrence River this past Friday and Saturday. The weather was terrible in practice and Day 1 of tournament with a ton of wind. Day 2 the wind laid down but it poured. Some nice fish were brought to the scales. Congratulations to our classic champion Erik with a 2 day weight of 42.76 lbs

JASON 27.19
ZACH 15.11
KEN 25.72 LUNKER Day 2 5.71lb
BOB O JOHN 6.71
JOHNNY G 4.82
KRIS 13.10
GREG 28.35 5TH
BRYAN 29.30 3RD
JOHN E 25.71
JOE G 4.41
BRIAN M 7.06
TOM 10.66
ERIK 42.76 1ST LUNKER Day 1 5.22lb
NICK 14.17
BILL 29.12 4TH
JUNIOR 18.92
KIRK 33.92 2ND
ENRICO 15.22

Bergen Bassmasters had its Norm Trass Annual Outing for the Disabled today at Wood Dale County Park in Woodcliff Lake, ...
06/07/2026

Bergen Bassmasters had its Norm Trass Annual Outing for the Disabled today at Wood Dale County Park in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Was a nice day and fun for all that were there. Thanks to all that showed and participated.

Bergen Bassmasters had its 2nd points Tournament on Lake Lillinonah, CT. Sunday 5/18. Post spawn blues made for a tough ...
06/06/2026

Bergen Bassmasters had its 2nd points Tournament on Lake Lillinonah, CT. Sunday 5/18. Post spawn blues made for a tough bite for most. But as usual some anglers prevailed with decent limits.

Bergen had its season opener yesterday. Great weather on Tax Day for Bergen on Candlewood produced a big field with 16 b...
04/16/2026

Bergen had its season opener yesterday.

Great weather on Tax Day for Bergen on Candlewood produced a big field with 16 boats and 25 anglers! Water temps were in the low fifties the air temp topped the 80 degree mark. A fairly calm south wind in the AM became a little stronger after 12 noon. All in all, a perfect weather day for bass fishing and the results were very good. Zack Modelski may have placed 5th, but his limit included the only two smallies over 5 pounds, and one of them was a 5.68 lunker that won our progressive 6 pound lunker pool (criteria - 6 lbs for largemouth and 5.5 pounds for smallies) and regular lunker pool. No doubt Zach will make the April 16th Bergen meeting to receive a very nice check! Although no one broke the 20 pound mark, Erik Ruckdeschel had a great day with 18.90 lbs. There were seven smallies over 4 pounds and two largemouths over 5 pounds with the biggest at 5.24 pounds c/o Doug Giachino. With Bergen’s Points event #1 in the books, next up is Lake Lillinonah for Sunday, May 17. On a side note, it was great to have Kris Lechman back in with Bergen and he will once again be producing the running AOY results. Also, even as an observer, it was good to see John Hart back in the saddle as he took the observer lunker with a nice 4.26 smallie.
1 Erik Ruckdeschel 5 bass 18.90
2 Jason Mordhorst 5 bass 17.72
3 Vern Gatson 5 bass 16.99
4 Greg Trass 5 bass 15.97
5 Zach Modelski 5 bass 15.89
6 Andy Karcich 5 bass 14.45
7 Mike Rinaldi 5 bass 13.90
8 Scott Mitchell 5 bass 12.35
9 Frank Freguletti 5 bass 11.98
10 John Giordano 5 bass 11.37
11 Doug Giachino 5 bass 11.16
12 Rich Cattagio 5 bass 10.68
13 Lloyd Raheem 5 bass 9.71
14 Nick Albano 5 bass 9.66
15 Ken Walters 5 bass 8.98
16 John Messinger 5 bass 8.91
17 John Ernest 3 bass 8.48
18 Kris Lechman 3 bass 4.98
19 John Turney 4 bass 4.63
20 Bob O’John 3 bass 3.90
21 Kirk Stober 2 bass 3.10
22 Robert Curtis 2 bass 2.74
23 Enrico Casatelli 2 bass 2.32
24 Ricardo Cruz 1 bass 1.56
25 Bill Vella 1 bass .75
Total bass 104, Released alive 104
Total weight 241.08
Lunker 5.68 Smallie by Zach Modelski

Bergen Bassmasters 3rd Annual Cabin Fever Open, originally set for Candlewood Lake on 3/28, was held on 3/29/26 on Lake ...
03/30/2026

Bergen Bassmasters 3rd Annual Cabin Fever Open, originally set for Candlewood Lake on 3/28, was held on 3/29/26 on Lake Lillinonah. Air temp at blast off was a freezing 21 degrees and the water temps were in the low 40’s. Basically it was feast or famine for the field of 27 BONE COLD anglers in 14 boats. There are always a few teams who can find those deep cold water smallies, and this was the case on March 29. Congratulations to the Top Finishers!
1. Kevin B and Lenny G, 5 bass 20.12
2. Bailey H and Ty G, 5 bass 17.21
3. Matt C and Ron C, 5 bass 17.11
4. Joey R and Gage R, 5 bass 16.89
5. Kyle L and Kyle B, 5 bass 14.98
6. Erik R and Bryan G, 5 bass 14.32
7. Robert K (solo), 1 bass 1.92
8-14 Teams – DNW
Lunker 5.98 smallie by Kevin B and Lenny G

Next Bergen Opens for 2026
• July 11, 26th Annual Candlewood Night Open - cash pay outs and non-cash prizes, out of Squantz
• August 1, Second Chance Night Open, Candlewood, Squantz
• Oct. 25, Bob Murphy Memorial Open, Hudson at Catskill with cash pay outs and prizes.
• Nov 1, Second Chance Hudson Open, Catskill
• Dec 5, Snowman Open, Candlewood (Tentative)

02/04/2026

Come see the Bergen Bassmasters & NYTBF at the Empire State Outdoor Sportsmen's Show - Suffern NY - Fishing, Hunting, Boats, Archery, Seminars, etc

SILENT AUCTION for great products and days on the water with some local guides!

Day on the Water with Bobby Williams, 1,000 Islands in Ontario Waters – early May 2026 with one or two anglers, Ontario Fishing License Required
Revealed at the show - “One of a Kind” c/o Henry Repeating, Bayonne, NJ
Day on the Water with Tom Luciano, Beautiful Lake George, Ticonderoga NY
Revealed at the show - Benelli USA
Day on the Water with Bassmaster Classic qualifier Ed Cowan, winner of over 200 bass tourneys – on Lake Wallenpaupack or Ed’s secret PA lake
Revealed at the show - c/o Ramsey Outdoor
Day on the water with Pro Guide Capt. Kris Lechman, of FISH-KRIS Guide Service for in-shore NY & NJ Striped Bass Fishing (Seasonal)
Half Day on the Water with Pro Guide Big JP Pelletier, Lake Ontario, East Basin
Revealed at the show Gun For Hire Shooting Range, Woodland Park, NJ
Day on the Water with Bobby Uhrig (owner MegaStrike) on his Private Lake in the Catskills – One or two people with Lunch Included
Day on the Water with Pro Guide Captain Larry Infurna of Cedar Mountain Guide Service on Beautiful Lake Bomoseen, Vermont
Bear Archery “Intense” Crossbow package c/o Dino Kiritsis, Garden State Bow & Reel, Hardyston Township, NJ

100% of all Auction Revenue goes to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
c/o the Bergen Bassmasters and the NYTBF

Ask us about our 2026 Bass Fishing Trails and Membership
Rockland Community College Fieldhouse, 145 College Rd, Suffern, NY
Show Hours
Friday, Feb 20, 2026: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, Feb 21, 2026: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, Feb 22, 2026 10 AM - 5:00 PM
Adults $12 and kids under 16 FREE

Address

Prospect Ave
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
07677

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