Fifty-three young anglers showed up ready to fish the first Shoals Youth Bassmasters tournament of the 2025 season. The young anglers showed out with the event trophy qualifiers weighing in 96.47 pounds of bass.
The youth anglers were not only competing in their tournament but also had to contend with two other tournaments on Wheeler on May 17. Richard Laxson, director of the Shoals Youth Bassmasters, said Wheeler Lake was congested due to the multiple tournaments. Laxson also noted, “The storms, wind, and rain before our tournament did not impact the turnout of competitors in all age divisions.” He went on to say that the weather early Saturday morning broke, and the day was great, just a little overcast.
And the fishing was good. Lake Yokley took first place honors with 12.8 lbs.. in the 10 and Under age division. The 11-15 age division was Hunter Hardy, boating 9.63 lbs, and first place. The top weight in the 16-18 age division was 12.37 lbs, brought in by Cam Andrews. Big fish honors went to Jeb Staggs for his five-pound largemouth bass. As has been said before, the trophy weights did not include the weights for the other forty-two youth contestants.
The trophy winners in all age divisions were:
10 and under
1st Place Lake Yokley 12.80 lbs.
2nd Place Jackson Taylor 11.29 lbs.
3rd Place Jeb Staggs 10.13 lbs.
4th Place Jacob Weir 9.99 lbs.
Division Trophy Total 44.21 lbs.
11-15 age
1st Place Hunter Hardy 9.63 lbs.
2nd Place Levi Hicks 7.73 lbs.
3rd Place Devin Deaton 7.50 lbs.
4th Place Ansley Fritts 6.87 lbs.
Division Trophy Total 31.73 lbs.
16-18 age
1st Place Cam Andrews 12.37 lbs.
2nd Place Landen Kelly 4.39 lbs.
3rd Place Jake Boyd 3.77 lbs.
Division Trophy Total 20.53 lbs.
Lunker
Jeb Staggs 5.00 lbs. Largemouth
VIEW/DOWNLOAD ALL TOURNAMENT PHOTOS HERE.
The next Shoals Youth Bassmasters tournament on their trail is June 7 on Pickwick from McFarland Park ramp.
The complete 2025 trail:
May 17, First Creek, Wheeler
June 7, McFarland Park, Pickwick
June 21, Lock-Six, Wilson
July 12, McFarland Park, Pickwick
August 16, Safety Harbor, Wilson
Sept 13, First Creek, Wheeler
Tournaments will begin at 7:00 A.M., and weigh-in will be at 11:00 A.M.
There are three divisions:
1. 10 and Under
2. 11 through. 15
3. 16 through. 18
Anglers in each division must have a responsible adult advisor.
The year-end picnic and awards will be held after the last tournament. The 2025 picnic will be held at Joe Wheeler in the day-use area. You must be a member before the last tournament to participate in the picnic and awards. Call 256-762-7635 for more information or email rklaxson@hiwaay.net
Laxson added, “Thanks to all our sponsors and Ronnie McDonald at Southern Fishing News.”
Post Presented By Southern Fishing News and These Sponsors:
Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (http://albassnation.com/)
Slider Lures (www.sliderfishing.com)
Neese Waterfront Real Estate (www.neesere.com)
Bass Assassin Lures (http://bassassassin.com)
EGO Fishing (https://egofishing.com)
Motley Fishing (https://motleyfishing.com)
Frankey’s Marine (https://www.facebook.com/FrankeysMarineService)
Vantage Tackle (https://vantagetackle.com/)
