The youth fishing club fished the first of six tournaments of the 2021 season. The 2020 season had to be cut to three tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fifty-one youth anglers competed in the 2021 first event on Wheeler Lake from the First Creek ramp at Joe Wheeler State Park. Richard Laxson, Club Director, noted the weather was beautiful, with calm winds and warm air temperatures. “This was a good turnout for the first event of the year,” according to Laxson. “There also were some high school tournaments that kept some of our young anglers from fishing. As the year goes on more parents and grandparents hear about the youth club and are interested in their kids participating.”
In case you don’t know, the members of the Shoals Youth Bassmasters compete in three age divisions- 10 and Under, 11 to 15, and 16 to 18 years old. The members must be accompanied by an adult boat captain.
At the Wheeler tournament, Lane Howell took first place in the 10 and Under Division with 10 lbs., 9 oz. Camden Randall won first place in the 11 to 15 age group with 7 lbs., 12 oz. The older youth division of 16 to 18 saw Briar Terry wrap up the top spot for his 6 lbs., 4 oz. bag. Lane Howell bested the competitors with a 4 lb., 10 oz. largemouth to win lunker honors.
Top placers in each division. SYBM photo.
The top placers in each age division were:
10 and Under Division
1st Place Lane Howell 10 lbs.- 9 oz.
2nd Place Kase Goodwin 9 lbs.-1oz.
3rd Place Levi Hicks 8 lbs.-14 oz.
4th Place Miller Mattox 4 lbs.-12 oz.
11 to 15 Age Division
1st Place Camden Randall 7 lbs.-12 oz.
2nd Place Parker Posey 7 lbs.-10 oz.
3rd Place Hayden Brewer 5 lbs.-13 oz.
4th Place Peyton Davidson 5 lbs.-10 oz.
16 to 18 Age Division
1st Place Briar Terry 6 lbs-4 oz.
2nd Place Wesley Hayes 5 lbs.-2 oz.
3rd Place Mattie Holland 4 lbs.-10 oz.
Lunker Lane Howell 4 lb.-10 oz. Largemouth
The total weight of the placing anglers only was 146.6875 lbs.
An online photo album with all the photos taken at the tournament may be seen and/or downloaded at https://photos.app.goo.gl/uePchZcaVtv7Goub6.
The club’s next tournament is on June 19 on Pickwick out of McFarland Park. Tournaments will begin at 7:00 A.M. and weigh-in will be at 11:00 A.M.
The year-end picnic will be held after the last tournament on September 18. Youth must be a member before the last tournament to be eligible to participate.
Anyone interested in youth joining the Shoals Youth Bassmasters may call 256-757-1660 for more information or email [email protected].
