The 2023 Arkansas SAF State Championship was held on Lake Quachita in Mt. Ida, AR. The anglers were met with a cool start and post frontal conditions to start the day and on Lake Ouachita or any clear water highland reservoir that can make for tough fishing. Fish were in all 3 phases of the spawn. Some anglers reported catching fish off beds while others relied on a variety of shallow water techniques.
Ramsey Gilbert and Chandler Perkins, Mt. Ida Lions, took 1st place with five fish that weighed 14 pounds 10 ounces. In 2nd place was Jasper Jones and Miles Welch from Emerson High School. Jasper and Miles has a limit of fish that weighed 12 pounds 10 ounces. Hunter Gathright and Colton Arnold, Prescott High School, came in 3rd place with 12 pounds 9 ounces. Cole Martin and Josh Bowen from Lakeside High fishing team took 4th place with 12 pounds 8 ounces.
These top 4 teams will all advance to the 14th Annual High School Fishing World Final and National Championship in LaCrosse, WI on the Mississippi River. Safe travels and good luck to the anglers!
