Hudson Valley Bass Anglers (HVBA)

Hudson Valley Bass Anglers (HVBA) Under the leadership of President Leon Cotte, Vice President Edson Bennent and Secretary-Treasurer Paul Colarusso. New members welcome.

Eight avid anglers from Columbia County got together on Nov. 1, 1984 to form the Hudson Valley Bassmasters, affiliated with National B.A.S.S and the New York State Bass Federation. Other charter members were Roy Thomas, Richard Ohl, David Colarusso, James Whitbeck and Charles Graham. The 14-member club kicked off its first season on the third Saturday in June 1985 with a draw tournament at Copake

Lake. In 1988, the club dropped its affiliation with B.A.S.S. and the state federation and was forced to change its name to Hudson Valley Bass Anglers, which it still carries today. The club continued using draw pairings for tournaments until about 1999 when it switched to partners events to attract new members and bolster the social aspect of the events. We currently fish on bodies of water in western CT and eastern upstate NY. Anyone interested in fishing or looking for more information please contact us at [email protected].

Lake Champlain – South Bay Recap | August 8, 2026 🐟Stop #6 brought the HVBA back to the skinny water of South Bay, and ...
08/16/2026

Lake Champlain – South Bay Recap | August 8, 2026 🐟

Stop #6 brought the HVBA back to the skinny water of South Bay, and Champlain was considerably more generous than the Mohawk had been. We had the full fleet on the water with all 13 boats competing, and everyone managed to bring fish back to the scales. Altogether, the field weighed in 61 bass for 165.81 lbs, with 10 teams bringing in full five-fish limits. After the grind at Crescent, South Bay was a very welcome change of pace.

The weights were stacked, too. A little over five pounds separated 1st from 10th, and several of the top spots came down to just ounces. One good bite could move you a long way up the board.

🥇 Dan & Joey found their way back to the top with a strong 17.42 lb all-largemouth limit. Their bag was anchored by a 4.66 lb largemouth, giving them just enough separation to take the win in a very competitive field.

🥈 Wayne & Rich had a great day of their own, bringing 16.52 lbs of largemouth to the scales. They finished less than a pound off the lead with a solid 4.60 lb kicker helping anchor their bag.

🥉 Tracy & Steven rounded out the podium with 16.06 lbs, including a 4.64 lb largemouth. With less than half a pound separating second and third, every ounce mattered at weigh-in.

🏆 Lunker of the Day goes to Dan & Joey with their 4.66 lb largemouth — narrowly edging Tracy & Steven's 4.64 and Wayne & Rich's 4.60. Apparently even the lunker race wanted to make things interesting.

Full Results:

4️⃣ Mike & Dale – 15.79 lbs
5️⃣ Matt & Steve – 14.67 lbs
6️⃣ Paul & Perry – 14.22 lbs
7️⃣ Frank & Nick – 13.07 lbs
8️⃣ Mark & Eric – 12.53 lbs
9️⃣ Dan & Ryan – 12.18 lbs
🔟 John & Zach – 12.07 lbs
1️⃣1️⃣ Mark & Kerry – 9.66 lbs
1️⃣2️⃣ Gabriel & Sal – 7.47 lbs
1️⃣3️⃣ Rick & Mike – 4.15 lbs

📊 Six points events are now in the books, and South Bay showed just how quickly things can change when everyone is catching fish. Thirteen boats, 61 fish and more than 165 pounds across the scales made this one of the strongest overall weigh-ins of the season.

📅 Next Stop: Mohawk River – Crescent | August 22nd

After South Bay gave us plenty of fish to work with, we're heading back to Crescent; a place that wasn't nearly as charitable last time around. We'll see if the late-summer Mohawk is ready to cooperate, or if we're back to celebrating every bite like a tournament win.

See you on the water, HVBA. 🎣🐟

Zach G.

🐟 Mohawk River – Crescent Recap | July 18, 2026 🐟The HVBA returned to Crescent for stop #5 of the season, and Mother Na...
08/09/2026

🐟 Mohawk River – Crescent Recap | July 18, 2026 🐟

The HVBA returned to Crescent for stop #5 of the season, and Mother Nature decided everyone needed a shower. A steady rain settled in for much of the day, making for a wet ride, slick decks, and plenty of fogged-up sunglasses. Unfortunately, the fish weren't much more cooperative. The Mohawk made anglers work for every bite, and several teams found themselves wishing the rain had brought a few more fish with it.

🥇 Dan & Joey put together the most impressive bag of the day, weighing 18.24 lbs of largemouth to claim another victory. They capped it off with a 5.30 lb giant, reminding everyone why they're always in the conversation.

🥈 Mike & Dale stayed on the right fish and brought 13.48 lbs to the scales. Another strong finish keeps them firmly in the hunt as the season rolls on.

🥉 Mark & Eric rounded out the podium with 12.30 lbs, continuing what has been one of the most consistent seasons of any team on the trail.

🏆 Lunker of the Day goes to Dan & Joey with a 5.30 lb largemouth. On a day when bites were hard to come by, that's exactly the kind of fish you hope shows up.

Full Results:

4️⃣ John & Zach – 9.40 lbs
5️⃣ Dan & Ryan – 4.82 lbs
6️⃣ Matt & Steve – 4.25 lbs (one fish, but it was a good one!)
7️⃣ Rick & Mike – 3.88 lbs
8️⃣ Wayne & Rich – 3.07 lbs
9️⃣ Tracy & Steven – 2.03 lbs

📊 Five points tournaments are now complete, and the season is entering the stretch run. Every event seems to produce a different storyline, and with only a handful of tournaments left, there's very little room for error.

📅 Next Stop: Lake Champlain – South Bay | August 8th

We'll trade river current for skinny water, grass flats, and long runs through South Bay. Champlain has already produced some impressive bags this season, and with the standings tightening up, expect everyone to be swinging for the fences.

See you on the water, HVBA. 🎣🐟

Zach G.

After a trip north to Champlain, the HVBA returned to the Hudson River where the fish reminded everyone that nothing com...
07/01/2026

After a trip north to Champlain, the HVBA returned to the Hudson River where the fish reminded everyone that nothing comes easy. The weather cooperated, but as usual, the Hudson made anglers earn every bite. A lot of grinding, making adjustments, and trying to squeeze one more quality fish into the livewell.

🥇 Matt & Steve figured it out better than anyone, bringing a full limit to the scales weighing 18.19 lbs. Their impressive bag was anchored by a tournament-best 5.10 lb largemouth, making for a dominant performance on a notoriously fickle river.

🥈 Mark & Eric continued their strong season with 16.17 lbs, putting together another quality five-fish limit to stay near the top of the season standings.

🥉 Dan & Joey rounded out the podium with 14.77 lbs, proving once again that consistency is what keeps you in the Angler of the Year conversation.

🏆 Lunker of the Day goes to Matt & Steve with a beautiful 5.10 lb largemouth. The only five-pounder of the day, and a fish that would've turned heads on any body of water.

Full Results:

4️⃣ Mike & Dale – 13.63 lbs
5️⃣ Tracy & Steven – 13.23 lbs
6️⃣ Wayne & Rich – 12.96 lbs
7️⃣ Dan & Ryan – 12.92 lbs (anchored by a nice 4.64 lb kicker)
8️⃣ John & Zach – 11.56 lbs
9️⃣ Paul & Perry – 11.30 lbs
🔟 Rick & Mike – 10.50 lbs
1️⃣1️⃣ Mark & Kerry – 8.06 lbs
1️⃣2️⃣ Gabriel & Sal – 7.50 lbs

🐟 Lake Champlain – Port Henry Recap | June 13, 2026 🐟Stop #3 of the season took the HVBA north to Lake Champlain, and f...
07/01/2026

🐟 Lake Champlain – Port Henry Recap | June 13, 2026 🐟

Stop #3 of the season took the HVBA north to Lake Champlain, and for those who made the trip, it didn't disappoint. Beautiful weather, plenty of fish willing to cooperate, and some of the heaviest bags we've seen so far this year made for a great day on the water. After grinding through two Candlewood events, it was nice to spend the day chasing fish instead of chasing the weather.

🥇 Mike & Dale topped the field with an impressive 18.82 lb limit, edging out the competition by just a few ounces. Five quality largemouth and a 4.85 lb kicker earned them their first win of the season.

🥈 Matt & Steve were right behind with 18.62 lbs, proving once again they're capable of putting together big bags wherever the trail goes. It doesn't get much closer than two-tenths of a pound.

🥉 Paul & Perry rounded out the podium with 17.16 lbs, continuing what's been a remarkably consistent start to their season.

🏆 Lunker of the Day goes to Tracy & Steven with a beautiful 4.99 lb largemouth. Just a hair shy of the five-pound mark, and more than enough to earn bragging rights until the next tournament.

Full Results:

4️⃣ John & Zach – 16.69 lbs
5️⃣ Mark & Eric – 16.09 lbs
6️⃣ Tracy & Steven – 15.37 lbs
7️⃣ Dan & Joey – 14.91 lbs
8️⃣ Mark & Kerry – 12.57 lbs
9️⃣ Rick & Mike – 10.75 lbs
🔟 Dan & Ryan – 10.47 lbs

Zach G.

🐟 Candlewood – Squantz Recap | May 23, 2026 🐟Round two (technically three) on Candlewood brought a welcome change from t...
06/01/2026

🐟 Candlewood – Squantz Recap | May 23, 2026 🐟

Round two (technically three) on Candlewood brought a welcome change from the last event. The wind finally backed off, and while a light rain hung around for most of the day, nobody was complaining. The fish still made everyone work for it, but not getting blown around everywhere wasn't the worst.

A few teams figured out the bite and separated themselves from the pack.

🥇 Mark & Eric took home the win with a strong 15.27 lb bag, mixing largemouth and smallmouth to stay consistent all day long. Their 4.17 lb kicker helped seal the deal and gave them their second strong finish of the young season.

🥈 Mike & Dale stayed right on their heels with 13.46 lbs, leaning mostly on largemouth to secure another solid finish and keep themselves near the top of the standings.

🥉 Dan & Joey rounded out the top three with 13.70 lbs, proving once again they’re going to be in the conversation every single tournament.

🏆 Lunker of the Day goes to Mark & Eric with a 4.17 lb largemouth that stood tall on a day where quality bites were hard-earned.

Full Results:

4️⃣ Tracy & Steven – 9.48 lbs
5️⃣ John & Zach – 9.39 lbs
6️⃣ Wayne & Rich – 8.96 lbs
7️⃣ Matt & Steve – 6.49 lbs
8️⃣ Mark & Kerry – 5.89 lbs
9️⃣ Dan & Ryan – 3.03 lbs

📊 Two points events down, and the standings are already starting to tighten up. Consistency is becoming the name of the game early this season.

📅 Next Stop: Lake Champlain – June 13th
Big water, big fish, and big opportunities. Champlain always has a way of shaking up the leaderboard.

See you on the water, HVBA. 🎣🐟

Zach G.

🐟 Candlewood Cold Front Classic – May 3, 2026 Recap 🐟If anyone was hoping for an easy spring day on Candlewood…this wasn...
05/21/2026

🐟 Candlewood Cold Front Classic – May 3, 2026 Recap 🐟

If anyone was hoping for an easy spring day on Candlewood…this wasn’t it. Wind hammered the lake from start to finish, temps were cool, boat control was sketchy at best, and some anglers even reported seeing snow in May. Apparently winter forgot to check the calendar.

Despite the conditions, a few teams managed to put together some really solid bags while some of the field spent most of the day wondering where the fish went.

🥇 Mark & Kerry took the win in convincing fashion with a stout 19.42 lb bag, powered by a giant 5.09 lb largemouth. They found the right fish and made it count on a day where every bite felt earned.

🥈 Matt & Steve stayed consistent and locked down second with 15.04 lbs, mixing green and brown bass to stay near the top all day.

🥉 Mark & Eric rounded out the top three with 13.51 lbs, quietly grinding out another strong finish while boats were getting blown sideways.

🏆 Lunker of the Day goes to Mark & Kerry with that chunky 5.09 lb largemouth...the kind of fish that makes the cold fingers worth it.

Full Results:

4️⃣ Dan & Joey – 13.27 lbs
5️⃣ Paul & Perry – 13.15 lbs
6️⃣ Wayne & Rich – 12.40 lbs
7️⃣ Mike & Dale – 12.04 lbs
8️⃣ Tracy & Steven – 10.03 lbs
9️⃣ John & Zach – 2.69 lbs
🔟 Gabriel & Sal – 0 lbs

📊 Early season standings are already starting to separate the field, and consistency is looking like it’s going to matter more than ever this year.

📅 Next Stop: Back to Candlewood – May 23rd
Round three on the big lake. Let’s see who adjusted and who’s still blaming the weather.

See you at the weigh-in, HVBA. 🎣🌨️🐟

Zach G.

🐟 HVBA 2026 Season Opener – Candlewood Lake | April 18, 2026 Recap 🐟And just like that… we’re back.The 2026 HVBA season ...
05/04/2026

🐟 HVBA 2026 Season Opener – Candlewood Lake | April 18, 2026 Recap 🐟

And just like that… we’re back.

The 2026 HVBA season got rolling on Candlewood with a no-points opener, giving everyone a chance to shake off the rust, test some ideas, and remember that what worked last year probably doesn’t anymore. Conditions were decent, the fish were cooperative for some, and a few teams wasted no time making a statement.

🥇 Mark & Eric picked up right where they left off, taking the win with a strong 19.04 lb bag, anchored by a tournament-best 6.12 lb largemouth. Not a bad way to start the year.

🥈 Dan & Joey didn’t miss a beat either, putting together 18.49 lbs and showing they’re still going to be a problem all season long.

🥉 Wayne & Rich rounded out the top three with 13.97 lbs, including a quality 4+ lb smallmouth to keep things interesting.

🏆 Lunker of the Day – Mark & Eric, 6.12 lb largemouth. Early season, big bite, message sent.

Full Results:

4️⃣ Mike & Dale – 11.27 lbs
5️⃣ Paul & Perry – 9.87 lbs
6️⃣ Matt & Steve – 9.49 lbs
7️⃣ Mark & Kerry – 8.86 lbs
8️⃣ John & Zach – 8.75 lbs
9️⃣ Dan & Ryan – 6.98 lbs
🔟 Tracy & Steven – 5.25 lbs
1️⃣1️⃣ Gabriel & Sal – 0.75 lbs

📊 No points on the line, but plenty to take away. Some teams are already dialed, others… still “collecting data.”

📅 Next Stop: Points Season Begins
The warm-up is over. Next one counts.

Let’s go, HVBA. 🎣🐟

- Zach G.

2025 final standings.
02/14/2026

2025 final standings.

Last Saturday, at Savona's Trattoria & Bar, we celebrated the close of our 2025 season with our annual awards banquet. G...
02/13/2026

Last Saturday, at Savona's Trattoria & Bar, we celebrated the close of our 2025 season with our annual awards banquet. Gratitude is owed to all participants for their role in the event's success. We especially thank DALE CALYER for his commitment and hard work that brought the banquet to fruition.

11/05/2025

🎣 2025 HVBA Season Recap & Final Standings 🎣

Another season is officially in the books! From wild winds on the Hudson to calm days on Candlewood, this year gave us just about every condition imaginable — and the anglers who could adapt rose to the top.

The season featured consistent performers, some breakout wins, and a three-way tie in the points that came down to total weight to settle the order. It doesn’t get much closer than that.

🥇 1st Place – Dan & Joey (354 pts / 142.56 lbs)
An absolutely dominant year. Dan & Joey took multiple wins, several top-three finishes, and the heaviest total weight by far. Whether it was largemouth or smallmouth, tough weather or calm days, they always seemed to figure it out. The 2025 season belonged to them start to finish — your HVBA Anglers of the Year.

🥈 2nd Place – Paul & Perry (324 pts / 104.52 lbs)
Reliable. Steady. Always in contention. Paul & Perry were the model of consistency this year, finishing strong across nearly every body of water and holding second place through the final event. They made it look easy, even when it wasn’t.

🥉 3rd Place – Mark & Eric (322 pts / 103.9 lbs)
Just behind them, Mark & Eric finished the season one bite away from the runner-up spot. Their late-season surge, including two wins on the Mohawk, made them one of the most dangerous teams on the water by year’s end.

🏁 The Three-Way Tie – 4th, 5th, and 6th
Mike & Dale, Mark & Kerry, and John & Zach all ended the year with 306 points, separated only by total weight — talk about a tight finish. Mike & Dale edged out the group with 88.63 lbs for 4th, while Mark & Kerry’s 78.52 lbs and John & Zach’s 76.25 lbs followed close behind. That kind of parity says a lot about the level of competition this season.

The Rest of the Field:
7️⃣ Wayne & Rich – 280 pts / 61.34 lbs
8️⃣ Matt & Steve – 277 pts / 74.11 lbs
9️⃣ Vinny – 153 pts / 19.57 lbs
🔟 Pat & – 105 pts / 16.93 lbs
1️⃣1️⃣ Rick & Jack – 93 pts / 16.61 lbs
1️⃣2️⃣ Dan & Ryan – 77 pts / 13.5 lbs
1️⃣3️⃣ Frank & Nick – 69 pts / 11.78 lbs

📊 Final Thoughts:
This season had it all — brutal Hudson tides, stingy turnovers, surprise wins, and a level of competition that stayed tight all the way through the final weigh-in. Every team that launched this year earned their spot.

Big thanks to everyone who made 2025 another awesome HVBA season — from the anglers to the weigh-in team and everyone behind the scenes.

We’ll see you all in 2026… same passion, same banter, same boats (mostly). 🎣🐟

Is it May yet?!

Zach G.

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