The Shoals Youth Bassmasters, based in Northwest Alabama, arrived at a rain-drenched ramp in Wheeler Lake’s First Creek on May 20th. This was the first club tournament of the 2023 schedule.
Richard Laxson, the club’s director said, “Thirty-six youth anglers participated in the tournament even with the less than the optimum weather starting time conditions which were unsettled.”
Laxson added that the bad weather actually only persisted for a short time finally settling into just overcast skies. “The rain held off allowing for a dry weigh-in only returning as a downpour shortly thereafter.”
The bad weather did not prevent the young anglers from catching bass. The trophy winners from the three age divisions brought a total of 75.30 pounds of fish to the scales. Brody Bennett, from the 10 and under age division, hung on and boated a 4 lb. smallmouth bass which took big fish honors.
The top trophy winners in the three age divisions were Kace Jones, 10 and under, with 9.77 pounds, Hunter Henson, 11 to 15 division, 7.66 pounds, and Troy Bates, 16 to 18 age group, for 9.50 pounds.
Shoals Youth Bassmasters age division winners. SYBM photo
ANGLER TOURNAMENT AWARDS LIST
10 and Under
1st Place Kace Jones 9.77 lbs.
2nd Place Brody Bennett 9.53 lbs.
3rd Place Levi Hicks 5.93 lbs.
4th Place Alba Beckman 5.18 lbs.
11 to 15 Age Division
1st Place Hunter Henson 7.66 lbs.
2nd Place Hunter Hardy 7.49 lbs.
3rd Place Cam Andrews 6.41 lbs.
4th Place Christopher Chambers 6.14 lbs.
16 to 18 Age Division
1st Place Troy Bates 9.50 lbs.
2nd Place Cayden Turner 5.82 lbs.
3rd Place Emma Anderson 1.87 lbs.
Lunker
Brody Bennett 4.00 lb. Smallmouth
All the photos taken at the tournament may be viewed/downloaded HERE.
The Shoals Youth Bassmasters next tournament on the schedule is June 10 on Wilson Lake out of the Lock Six ramp.
Tournaments will begin at 7 AM and weigh-in is 11 AM for the three divisions: 10 and Under; 11 thru 15; and 16 thru 18. Youth anglers must have a responsible adult advisor in the boat at all times. The year-end picnic and awards presentations will be held after the September 16th tournament. Youth anglers MUST be a member of Shoals Youth Bassmasters prior to the September 16th tournament.
2023 Tournament Schedule
May 20 First Creek Wheeler
June 10 Lock Six Wilson
July 8 McFarland Park Pickwick
July 29 First Creek Wheeler
August 26 Lock Six Wilson
September 16 McFarland Park Pickwick
Thanks to the sponsors that support the Shoals Youth Bassmasters:
Daniel Boone Guide Service, Perkins Outdoors, Southern Fishing News, Gray’s Tackle, TV Community Credit Union, Jaco’s Marine, Bass Pro Shop, Bank Independent, McDonald’s Lauderdale County, D&T Robbins Farms, D&D Lawn Care, Lawrenceville Marine, Lewis Electrical Supply Co, Inc. C.C. Pizza, Valmet, Brewer Logging, Burch Tackle, Ronnie & Kathryn Gibson, TH Marine, Tracker Boat Center, R&M Heating and Cooling, Shoals Outdoor Sports, BASS Youth, Town of Rogersville, Little Lerner’s Academy, The Nutrition Hut, Lawlers Barbecue, Florence Trophy Company, West End Outdoors, Recluse Pest Control, Lewis Signs & Decals, Country Financial Subway, D&D Marine and Davidson Fence & Decks, LLC.
For more information on Shoals Youth Bassmasters call 256-757-1660 or email Richard Laxson, [email protected].
