The 2024 Nebraska High School State Championship was held at Merritt Reservoir in Valentine, NE. It was a windy cooler day but most of the kids caught fish. Jack Hughes and Reece Perry from North Platte high school won the tournament with 9-95. They will advance to the National Championship in June on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC.

Rye Tiller and Maxwell Wyatt, Gothenburg Bassmasters, came in 2nd place with 6-64 and taking 3rd place was Ashton and Keaton Kuchar with 5-60.  The teams fished from 7:00AM-2:00PM and then enjoyed a little BBQ meal after.

The weather was very iffy leading up to the 2024 Kansas TBF High School and Junior State championships on April 27^th. Melvern Lake was forecasting Thunderstorms and winds 20-30 MPH and higher gusts most of the week prior. Mother Nature smiled and got rid of the storms and reduced the winds to a safer level.

Fishing was very tough with several empty livewells at Weigh-In.

The High School team of Nicholas Herman and Laiken Emanual, captained by Tate Herman had the only multi catch, 3 largemouth for 5 lbs, 10 oz. The Junior team of Hudson Komarek and Reed Rochel, captained by Scott Komarek had a beautiful smallmouth that weighed 2 lbs 10 oz.

All in all, a great day for the youth. The winning teams were presented with their trophies and Lew’s American Hero Spinning Combos donated by TBFKS. Also, Doman’s Outdoors in Lyndon, KS donated 2 very nice tackle bags and 5 spinning combos for door prizes.

Bill Horvath, KS TBF Youth Director

The 2024 New Hampshire Open Challenge was held May 5th on Spofford Lake. It was a very wet, cold and windy day.  Lots of great smallmouth weighed.  The anglers persevered and had limits for all but one boat.  The winners were able to capitalize on prespawn smallmouth to come away with the win and lunker.

Ike Leventry and Jack Osborne claimed 1st place with four fish weighing 16lbs 8oz. The big fish of the day was 4lbs 12oz.

In 2nd place was Bridger Jamison and James Deffley with 13lbs 10oz.  And rounding the top 3 was the team of Jared Curavoo and Tanner Thompson with 11lbs 9oz.