The Shoals Youth Bassmasters fished Wilson Lake in northwest Alabama on August 26 from the Lock Six ramp. The youth club members enjoyed a very nice day for fishing with mild humidity and only a slight wind.
Sixty-four of the club members vied for trophies in each of three age divisions. Bag weights were pretty evenly matched throughout the age groups. Total weight for all ages was 87.625 pounds.
The Wilson Lake event was the fifth in the club’s six tournament season.
10 and under age group- (L-R) Caston Smith, Sam Letson, Hayden Brewer and Cam Andrews.
11 -15 age group – (L-R) Hunter Brewer, Luke Mattox and Reese Wilson.
16-18 age group – Clayton Birdyshaw and Katelyn Perry
Final age division places:
10 and under age group
1st Place Caston Smith 9 lbs. 9 oz.
2nd Place Sam Letson 8 lbs. 12 oz.
3rd Place Hayden Brewer 8 lbs. 4 oz.
4th Place Cam Andrews 7 lbs. 10 oz.
11 to 15 age group
1st Place Hunter Brewer 10 lbs. 4 oz.
2nd Place Luke Mattox 6 lbs. 15 oz.*
3rd Place Reese Wilson 6 lbs. 15 oz.*
4th Place Fisher Heard 6 lbs. 11 oz.
* Ties are settled by flip of coin.
16 to 18 age group
1st Place Clayton Birdyshaw 10 lbs. 3 oz.
2nd Place Katelyn Perry 7 lbs.7 oz.
3rd Place Logan Peden 5 lbs.
Lunker: Caston Smith 3 lbs. 14 oz. largemouth
The youth anglers in each division have a responsible adult advisor in the boat for each youth.
The club’s year end picnic and season award presentations will occur after the Pickwick Lake tournament that is the last tournament of 2017. Youth members must have joined the club before the last tournament to be eligible to attend.
Pictured – Crawford Saylor, Elvie Walker, Cam Andrews, Luke Mattox and Levi Hicks
The Pickwick Lake tournament is scheduled for September 9 launching from the Macfarland Park ramp.
As of August 24 the Shoals Youth Bassmasters had 130 members, both boys and girls. The Shoals Youth Bassmasters is the largest Bassmaster Youth club and the oldest active Bassmaster Youth organization in the country.
Richard Laxson, club director, said, “I’d like to express my gratitude to the many sponsors and supporters of the Shoals Youth Bassmasters. These businnesses and individuals are avid supporters of the youth and have a major, positive impact on the success of the youth club. Our sponsors and supporters are contributing to the introduction of bass fishing to many youths, teaching conservation, educating youth in the skills of bass fishing as well as competition and sportsmanship.”
For information on the Shoals Youth Bassmasters call Richard Laxson at 256-757-1660 or email [email protected].
