About Our Club

2026 Scheduled Events

Elmer Lake: March 29th 3PM & Fall Cleanup Event TBD

Stewart Lake: May 2nd 10AM

The Philadelphia Bass Busters fishing club, along with The Rod Father (Vince Santroni of Rodfatherbass.com), are deeply committed to environmental stewardship through their regular lake cleanups in the greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area. These efforts often follow club tournaments, where members and supporters—including Vince, who serves as club president—pick up trash around boat ramps, pavilions, and shorelines to keep fishing spots clean and safe. Vince personally organizes multiple cleanups per season, including post-tournament hauls (like collecting several bags of debris after events) and the club’s “Adopt A Lake” commitment to Elmer Lake, requiring at least two dedicated cleanups annually. He also leads larger annual events, such as the Rodfatherbass.com Stewart Lake Cleanup in Woodbury, NJ, where volunteers gather dozens of contractor-grade bags filled with bottles, cans, styrofoam, plastic bags, fishing lures, furniture, and other litter—often in honor of his father’s memory. These hands-on initiatives not only remove harmful pollution that affects bass habitats and water quality but also promote community giveback, youth mentoring through fishing, and responsible angling practices, ensuring our local lakes remain healthy and enjoyable for everyone who loves the outdoors.

May 30th 8am-12pm

A huge shoutout to the Philadelphia Bass Busters fishing club and The Rod Father (Vince Santroni of Rodfatherbass.com) for their incredible support and volunteer efforts at the Ranch Hope Kids Fishing Derby (also known as the Ranch Hope Levi Baldwin Memorial Fishing Tournament and Youth Fishing Fundraiser) held at Camp Edge in Alloway Township, NJ. This heartwarming event brings together dozens of children—often 60 or more young participants ages 8-15 from Ranch Hope’s faith-based programs, which serve disadvantaged youth, including those who have faced crime, violence, abuse, or other challenges—for a morning of free fishing, prizes, fun, and positive mentorship on the water. Coordinated with partners like ESPN Radio and dedicated volunteers, the derby provides these kids with rods, reels, tackle, guidance from experienced anglers, and a joyful outdoor experience designed to instill love, light, positivity, and life lessons through nature and fishing. By donating time, gear, and enthusiasm, the Bass Busters and Rod Father help create lasting memories and opportunities for growth, reinforcing Ranch Hope’s mission of transformation through Christ-centered compassion while promoting responsible angling and community giveback. What an awesome way to make a real impact—thank you for hooking these kids on hope and the great outdoors! 🎣

June 6th 8am-12pm

A huge shoutout to the Philadelphia Bass Busters fishing club and The Rod Father (Vince Santroni of Rodfatherbass.com) for their dedicated volunteer support at the Premier Scout Family Youth Fishing Derby—a fantastic free event held annually on “Free Fishing Day” in New Jersey, such as the June 7, 2025, derby at Stewart Lake in Woodbury, NJ, behind the YMCA boat ramp area. Coordinated with the Premier Scout Family (led by folks like Jerry Bakanowsky and Bob), this open-to-the-public kids’ fishing derby welcomes dozens to potentially 100 young participants of all ages for a morning of fun from 9:00 a.m. to noon, complete with sign-ups on-site, plenty of prizes, guidance from experienced anglers, provided tackle when needed, and lots of excitement on the water. By donating time, rods, reels, and enthusiasm, the Bass Busters and Rod Father help create an inclusive, positive outdoor experience that introduces children to fishing, builds community, promotes personal growth through adventure and mentorship, and ties into broader initiatives like the NJDEP’s Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs Youth Fishing Challenge. Their involvement ensures these events deliver joy, life lessons, and lasting memories while encouraging responsible angling and giving back to the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts. Keep reeling in the good vibes—thank you for making these derbies such a success! 🎣