Kansas High School Bass Tournament

Being a bass in Hell Creek sounds like a bad deal. What’s even worse is when teams of supercharged anglers show up to feed them dinner. That was the case at Wilson Reservoir and State Park this past weekend as the first Kansas High School State Bass Tournament took place. The event was organized as part of a national effort by TBF, The Bass Federation. TBF State high school bass tournaments are cropping up nationwide with a goal that fishing becomes a standard organized sports opportunity in schools. Many high schools and colleges already have fishing teams to participate in one of the most popular outdoors pursuits. Though the Kansas event had a modest start with only five teams from across the state, it’s expected to grow quickly into a major event as more Kansas schools sign on in the next few years. The one-day tournament, to be held at random locations, features two-person teams, grades 9-12, along with their coach or boat captain. Fishing rules are the same as those for professional TBF tournaments. There are no entry fees, but all participating anglers must be $25 members of TBF, which covers insurance, all Student Angler Federation tournament events through the year, and a fishing magazine. The Wilson event started off in tough conditions, with winds gusting to 35 mph, making it difficult to fish the lake’s open waters. But as morning progressed, the wind laid and temperatures soared. The young anglers started catching largemouth and smallmouth bass off points with jigs and crankbaits. All teams caught dozens of keeper bass in the lake’s clear water, making it a fun, as well as competitive, event. Each team had a five-fish limit for weigh-in, and all keeper fish had to measure at least 15 inches long. Weigh-in was conducted according to TBF rules, and all fish were alive and well when released back into the water following the tournament. Sam Starr and Brady Sherman of McPherson won the event with a total weight of 12 pounds, 8 oz. As state winners, they will now go in September to the regional TBF televised high school bass tournament, all expenses paid, in Illinois. Largest bass for the Kansas tournament was taken by Riggs Walter, Lucas, with a weight of 3 pounds, 6 oz. An array of nice prizes was given to runner-up Kansas teams, making it a great memory for a good day of fishing. For more information on youth TBF state and world tournaments, visit www.bassfederation.com . To learn more about next year's Kansas High School event or for information on how to start your own high school team, contact Tom Lang at Kansas Wildlife and Parks headquarters or Larry Freeseman, President of the KS Chapter of TBF. I’m Mike Blair for Kansas Wildlife and Parks.