2023 NYS Winter Classic Tournament

Finders Keepers · November 18, 2022

2023 NYS Winter Classic Fishing Tournament

The 2023 NYS Winter Classic (Jan. 1-Feb. 28) will once again draw in anglers from all over New England to compete in one of the largest winter tournaments that includes both open water fishing and ice fishing - so no matter what kind of winter we have the event will not be canceled and anglers can still compete! Operating on one of the most secure tournament platforms (Fish Donkey), fish are entered via pictures and videos at the time of the catch, fish place via length, and the online leaderboards update in real time notifying all anglers when new leaders are entered! This year's event has a heavy load of sponsors once again that includes all of the following amazing companies:

Batavia Downs Casino * Aqua-Vu * Frabill * Plano * FishUSA * Okuma * Addicted Fishing * Hammer Built Homes * Grantley's Bait & Tackle * Kahtoola * Jiffy Ice Drills * Reel Cool Lures * Keepers Only Co. * Sullivan Tip-Downs *

Amped Outdoors * Fish Hounds Outdoors * Fish Donkey * Deep Freeze * Nautic Sport * Koyote Ugly Spoons *

Automatic Fisherman * Green Mt. Sporting Supplies * Celox * Makiplastic * BHammer Tackle * NYRA Awards *

Vital Signs * Savage Gear * Lake Ontario United

More yet to be announced!

Over $20,000 in Cash & Prizes to be Won!!

(Including at least one Lifetime Sportsman License Award sponsored by Grantley's B&T for a top-placing youth angler)

Early Bird Registration goes through Dec. 1st at Noon and will get you entered into the Early Bird Drawings (drawn during the Dec. 1st LIVE show) and the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways - done LIVE during our live shows on the tourney Facebook page at 7pm each night Dec. 1-12 as the prize packages grow each day!

Here are the details for the 2023 Winter Classic:

When: Jan. 1st through Feb. 28th

Where: All waterways in NY state

Registration Fee: $25/angler (both youth and adults)

Where to Register: NYSwinterclassic.com or fishdonkey.com

(adults and youth register the same, however make sure to add "youth" to any youth angler's profile in Fish Donkey to identify them as a youth angler to make them eligible for the Lifetime Sportsman License Award(s))

Prizes to Win: Over $20,000 in cash & prizes!

Rules & Regs: Rules & Regs

Awards Ceremony: April 1st at the Batavia Downs Casino (all Top-3 placing anglers must attend)

If you have any questions please drop me a PM, give me a call at (585) 330-0494, or drop a comment on the tourney Facebook page! Follow the Tourney Facebook Page for the latest tourney news and announcements! More updates to come - stay tuned!!

Edited November 18, 2022 by Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers · November 29, 2022

**Pre-Tourney Update**

1st draft of the tourney flier is out sporting all of our current amazing sponsors! Now over $30,000 in cash and prizes to win, and the Early Bird Registration prizes announced yesterday:

*Aqua-Vu AV722 Underwater Camera

*(2) Frabill 48" Benchmark Bump Boards

*Frabill Ice Tackle Bag

*$50 FishUSA Gift Card

*Reel Cool Lures Lure Pack

*(2) Kahtoola Prize Packs (Microspikes, Socks, Hat, Hoodie)

*Addicted Fishing Prize Pack (Hat, Shirt, Baits)

*Automatic Fisherman Snapper

PLUS the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway starting this Thursday that includes two Frabill hub shelters and another Aqua-Vu camera system! Get registered by Dec. 1st to get in on the drawings and join us each night at 7pm EST on the tourney Facebook page for updates, singing, and fun times as more anglers win new gear from the Winter Classic!! Get all the details and registration info at:

NYSwinterclassic.com

Current angler count = 164

Current Payout for all 7 species:

1st Place = $200

2nd Place = $95

3rd Place = $65

PLUS Weekly Cash Awards = $12/species/week for the largest of each species each week.

PLUS the Top-3 Bass Cash Awards:

1st Place: $150 Cash

2nd Place: $100 Cash

3rd Place: $50 Cash

PLUS the Grantley's Bait & Tackle Youth Lifetime Sportsman Award

PLUS 14 Youth Angler Achievement Awards (Crystal Trophy Award for the top male & Female Youth Anglers in each species division)

PLUS 3 rounds of door prizes, 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway, raffles, youth angler prize table (at awards ceremony), and more giveaways!!

Main Payout and Weekly Awards will continue to increase as more anglers enter. Like and follow the tourney Facebook Page for updates, announcements, LIVE shows, sponsor and new prize announcements, and the latest tourney news! Join the fun this winter for only $25/angler!! More to come - stay tuned!!

Finders Keepers · December 2, 2022

**Pre-Tourney Update**

Current angler count = 321

Current Payout for all 7 species:

1st Place = $355

2nd Place = $180

3rd Place = $125

PLUS Weekly Cash Awards = $25/species/week for the largest of each species each week.

PLUS the Top-3 Bass Cash Awards:

1st Place: $150 Cash

2nd Place: $100 Cash

3rd Place: $50 Cash

PLUS the Grantley's Bait & Tackle Youth Lifetime Sportsman Award

PLUS Two salmon trips from Screaming Eagle Sportsfishing (one for youth, one for veterans)

PLUS 14 Youth Angler Achievement Awards (Crystal Trophy Award for the top male & Female Youth Anglers in each species division)

PLUS 3 rounds of door prizes, 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway, raffles, youth angler prize table (at awards ceremony), and more giveaways!!

Stay tuned for more updates!!

Finders Keepers · December 27, 2022

**Pre-Tourney Update**

Current angler count = 357

Current Payout for all 7 species:

1st Place = $400

2nd Place = $210

3rd Place = $140

PLUS Weekly Cash Awards = $25/species/week for the largest of each species each week.

PLUS the Top-3 Bass Cash Awards:

1st Place: $150 Cash

2nd Place: $100 Cash

3rd Place: $50 Cash

PLUS the Grantley's Bait & Tackle Youth Lifetime Sportsman Award

PLUS Two salmon trips from Screaming Eagle Sportsfishing (one for youth, one for veterans)

PLUS 14 Youth Angler Achievement Awards (Crystal Trophy Award for the top male & Female Youth Anglers in each species division)

PLUS 3 rounds of door prizes, 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway, raffles, youth angler prize table (at awards ceremony), and more giveaways!!

Additional sponsors added:

* Jammin Jigs * Florabelle Floral & Events * Screamin' Eagle Sport Fishing

* Rocky Mt. Custom Jigs * Prime Time Custom Baits

Register before NOON on Dec. 31st to get in on the next round of door prize drawings during our Kick-Off LIVE Show on the Tourney Facebook Page! Stay tuned for more updates!!

Finders Keepers · January 4, 2023

**Tourney Update - Day 3**

Current angler count: 424

Current Cash Payouts for all 7 Main Species:

1st Place = $480

2nd Place = $260

3rd Place = $175

4th Place = $25 FishUSA eCard

Weekly Cash Awards = $25/species/wk

Bass Cash Awards:

1st Place = $150

2nd Place = $100

3rd Place = $50

Florabelle Classic Grand Slam Cash Award = $500

Youth Awards:

Florabelle Youth Grand Slam NYS Lifetime Sportsman License

Grantley's B&T Youth Grand Slam NYS Lifetime Sportsman License

Screamin Eagle Sport Fishing Charter

(14) Crystal Angler Achievement Awards

Coupled with the door prizes and giveaways, that's a pretty good deal for a $25 entry!! The next round of door prizes will be drawn on January 31st! Anglers can still get in on the action but must register the day before they wish to start entering fish:

http://www.nyswinterclassic.com/

LIVE Leaderboards can be found at:

LIVE Leaderboards

Current Grand Slam results show the Top-3 anglers in a very close race:

Daniel Hargrave - 57.25"

Lucas Palmer - 56.25"

Adam Costich - 53.25"

The winner of the Florabelle Floral & Events Grand Slam Award will receive $500 cash and a crystal trophy. They must have the largest total combined length of their top fish in each of the 7 species (all 7 species do not have to be caught, but will likely be needed to win).

The end of Week #1 will be Saturday at midnight. Just a reminder that verifications can take up to 48 hrs or longer, and the Week #1 winners will not be confirmed until all fish have been verified. Best of luck to everyone for the remainder of Week #1 - tight lines!!

Finders Keepers · January 17, 2023

**Tourney Update - Week #3**

If you are not entered into the NYS Winter Classic Fishing Tournament yet, now is the time to join and get in on the fun and excitement! Not only is the ice starting to build across the state on more waterways, but the next round of drawings is coming up on the 31st!! Get in on the drawings simply by registering here:

Tourney Registration

Lots of updates in today's post! Let's start with congratulating our Week #2 winners:

Largest Pike: Kevin MacGonegal - 34.50"

Largest Walleye: Dan Newstead - 22.75"

Largest Trout: Chris Fisher - 26.00"

Largest Pickerel: Daniel Hargrave - 25.50"

Largest Crappie: Daniel Hargrave - 13.75"

Largest Perch: Chris Fisher - 14.75"

Largest Panfish: Frank Luta Jr. - 10.00"

Here are the current Week #3 leaders:

Largest Pike: Dominic Sergi - 36.50"

Largest Walleye: Steven Rubyor - 28.75"

Largest Trout: Kevin Zuniga - 31.75"

Largest Pickerel: Justin Kelley - 25.75"

Largest Crappie: Daniel Newstead - 12.25"

Largest Perch: Brad Rutherford - 14.50"

Largest Panfish: Donald Roberts - 9.00"

The overall number of anglers is now up to 455 which has the payouts for all 7 main species up to:

1st Place = $500

2nd Place = $305

3rd Place = $185

4th Place = $25 FishUSA Gift Card

(Note: in line with angler input, we will be holding 1st Place at $500 and boosting 2nd place until it reaches $400, then boosting 3rd place until it reaches $300, then we will add in 4th and 5th place payouts)

Other current award leaders:

Florabelle Floral & Events Grand Slam: Daniel Newstead- 140.00"

Grantley’s bait and tackle Youth Grand Slam: Ryan Denton - 35.50"

Florabelle Floral & Events Youth Grand Slam: Savannah Hornbeck - 56.50"

Youth Achievement Award Leaders:

Top Youth Female: Top Youth Male:

Northern Pike: TBD Ryan Denton

Walleye: Savannah Hornbeck Cullen Fennessy

Pickerel: Savannah Hornbeck Leeland Miller

Trout: TBD TBD

Crappie: TBD Leeland Miller

Perch: Kaylynn Klehamer Tony Sergi

Panfish: Shelby Hunt Connor Peck

**Get those youth anglers entered and out there!! Check out some of the top placing youth entrees so far!! Congrats on some great catches!!

Bass Cash Awards:

1st Place ($150): Zack Malagisi - 21.50"

2nd Place ($100): Justin Kelly - 19.25"

3rd Place ($50): William Winn - 18.75"

So much to go after in this year's event!! If you have not tried fishing an event on the FishDonkey platform, you are really missing out on some of the most fun events going on right now - live leaderboards, C&R option, easy fish entry, most secure platform, and the benefits go on and on!! Join NY's largest winter tournament today and help bring the FUN back into tournament fishing events!!

Finders Keepers · February 7, 2023

**Tourney Update - Week #6**

Here are the winners from Weeks 3-5:

Week #3:

Largest Pike: Ronald Parker - 38.00"

Largest Walleye: Thomas Van Deusen - 32.00"

Largest Trout: Kevin Zuniga - 31.75"

Largest Pickerel: Justin Kelley - 25.75"

Largest Crappie: James Rupert - 14.50"

Largest Perch: Brad Rutherford - 14.50"

Largest Panfish: Donald Roberts - 9.00"

Week #4:

Largest Pike: Ryan Scofield - 40.00"

Largest Walleye: Nick Ramsey - 29.25"

Largest Trout: Kelsey Alvarez - 33.00"

Largest Pickerel: Lucas Palmer - 27.00"

Largest Crappie: Leeland Miller - 12.00"

Largest Perch: John Kitay - 13.75"

Largest Panfish: Tony Sergi - 10.00"

Week #5:

Largest Pike: Michael Kunath - 33.50"

Largest Walleye: Cullen Fennessy - 28.50"

Largest Trout: Paul Evanek - 29.50"

Largest Pickerel: Shelby Hunt - 25.75"

Largest Crappie: Savannah Hornbeck - 14.00"

Largest Perch: Frank Hornbeck - 14.75"

Largest Panfish: Shelby Hunt - 9.00"

Week #6 (Current Leaders):

Largest Pike: Nate Fuelleman - 43.00"

Largest Walleye: Kyle Blackmer - 31.00"

Largest Trout: Jason Hornbeck - 34.50"

Largest Pickerel: Jeremy Cook - 25.50"

Largest Crappie: Shelby hunt - 14.00"

Largest Perch: Leeland Miller - 14.75"

Largest Panfish: Dominic Sergi - 9.75"

With over 2.5 weeks left, anglers can still get in on the action and join in the fun!! The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 1st at the Batavia Downs Casino where we will be awarding over $10,000 in cash and giving away over $5,000 in prizes in raffles, door prizes, and other giveaways! Follow the event on Facebook for all the latest tourney news and updates!

Finders Keepers · February 17, 2023

**Tourney Update - Week #7**

We would like to congratulate the Week #6 winners:

Largest Pike: Nate Fuelleman - 43.00"

Largest Walleye: Kyle Blackmer - 31.00"

Largest Trout: Jason Hornbeck - 34.50"

Largest Pickerel: Paul Flayter - 26.00"

Largest Crappie: Jason Stevens - 14.50"

Largest Perch: Dan White - 15.75"

Largest Panfish: Charles Hodencamp - 10.25"

Here are the current Week 7 leaders:

Largest Pike: Josh Ladd - 43.50"

Largest Walleye: Dominic Sergi - 26.50"

Largest Trout: Clarence Chamberlain - 29.25"

Largest Pickerel: Paul Evanek - 27.50"

Largest Crappie: Leeland Miller - 14.25"

Largest Perch: Kaylynn Klehamer - 14.50"

Largest Panfish: Chris Campbell - 10.25"

For the Main Event we have a new leader in the race for the Florabelle Floral & Events Grand Slam:

Cameron Hasner - 165.50"

In the Youth Grand Slam races here are the current leaders:

Grantley’s bait and tackle Youth Grand Slam: Leeland Miller - 76.25"

Florabelle Floral & Events Youth Grand Slam: Shelby Hunt - 113.00"

Here are the Top-3 leaders for each of the 7 Main Species Categories:

Northern Pike:

1st Place: Josh Ladd - 43.50"

2nd Place: Nate Fuelleman - 43.00"

3rd Place: Justin Zeigler - 41.75"

Pickerel:

1st Place: Paul Evanek - 27.50"

2nd Place: Lucas Palmer - 27.00"

3rd Place: Frank Hornbeck - 27.00"

Crappie:

1st Place: Lucas Palmer - 15.25"

2nd Place: Jeremy Cook - 15.00"

3rd Place: Daniel Hargrave - 14.75"

Panfish:

1st Place: Jeramy Eckman - 11.00"

2nd Place: Jason Stevens - 10.50"

3rd Place: Frank Luta Jr. - 10.25"

Trout:

1st Place: Cameron Hasner - 36.50"

2nd Place: Jason Hornbeck - 34.50"

3rd Place: Paul Evanek - 33.00"

Walleye:

1st Place: Thomas Van Deusen - 32.00"

2nd Place: Kyle Blackmer - 31.00"

3rd Place: Cameron Hasner - 30.50"

Yellow Perch:

1st Place: Dan White - 15.75"

2nd Place: Joe Klehamer - 15.50"

3rd Place: Chris Fisher - 14.75"

Top-3 Bass Leaders:

1st Place: Zack Malagisi - 21.50"

2nd Place: Andrew Ladd - 20.75"

3rd Place: Josh Ladd - 20.25"

~~Apparel Update~~

We now have LST's, SST's, and hoodies available on our online store site - check them out here:

Tourney Apparel Store

~~Awards Update~~

There are still some rooms available in our tourney block at the discounted rate with upgraded FREE PLAY - use code: FISH2023 when booking.

Registration for the awards dinner banquet is also available for $40/adult and $20/youth:

Banquet Dinner Registration

Just a reminder that the last week of the event runs all the way until the 28th and is longer than the previous standard weeks in the event. Like the others, there will be a minimum 48-hr hold until all placements are verified once the event concludes. All Top-3 placement anglers in the 7 main species categories and all Top-Placing Youth are required to attend the award ceremony to acquire your awards.

Best of luck to everyone as we approach the end of Week #7 and the final leg of the 2023 Winter Classic event!!

Edited February 17, 2023 by Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers · February 22, 2023

**Tourney Update - Week 8**

Congrats to the Week 7 winners:

Largest Pike: Josh Ladd - 43.50"

Largest Walleye: Dominic Sergi - 26.50"

Largest Trout: Jordan Gilbert - 35.00"

Largest Pickerel: Paul Evanek - 27.50"

Largest Crappie: Leeland Miller - 14.25"

Largest Perch: Tim Bohlayer - 14.75"

Largest Panfish: Chris Campbell - 10.25"

Here are the current leaders for Week #8:

Largest Pike: Alex Fuelleman - 36.25"

Largest Walleye: Michael Prevost - 26.75"

Largest Trout: Lucas Palmer - 32.25"

Largest Pickerel: Lucas Muhlberger - 25.75"

Largest Crappie: Richard Rupert - 14.75"

Largest Perch: Dominic Sergi - 13.50"

Largest Panfish: Jason Stevens - 10.50"

**ALL ANGLERS**

1) Please check the Weekly & Other Awards Leaderboard on the website to see if there are any mistakes (missing fish/placements, correct youth male/female listings, etc.). http://www.nyswinterclassic.com/2023/weeklyleaderboard.html

2) All the rooms at Batavia Downs have been booked, however if there are any additional anglers that would like to reserve a room(s), please let us know ASAP and we will see if we can add some additional rooms to our block at the discounted rate - drop Director Tim Thomas a text at (585)-330-0494 with your name and how many rooms you would like by March 3rd.

3) If you plan to attend the Awards Dinner Banquet, you must register before March 19th. See all the details and register using the link on the website:

http://www.nyswinterclassic.com/2023/2023DinnerRes.html

4) Just a reminder that the Awards Ceremony will be April 1st at the Batavia Downs Casino (timeline TBA). We will have several vendors there, raffles/door prizes/giveaways, additional giveaways/games at the dinner banquet, a meeting prior to the dinner with those looking to plan a 2024 season Pro-Am style event, after party in the casino, and much more!! All Top-3 anglers (excluding Bass), all Top-Placing Youth anglers, and all Grand Slam Winners are required to attend the Awards Ceremony to accept their awards.

Best of luck to everyone through the end of the 2023 event - Feb 28th at midnight!! It's a race to the finish as mother nature throws some us some wintry weather!!