FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PONCA CITY, Okla. (January 18, 2013) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW and The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau announced today it will host the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Louisiana High School Fishing State Championship on Sunday, March 10. The event will be held in Caddo County on Caddo Lake in Bossier City, La., launching out of Earl G Williamson Park.
The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Check-in begins at 6:30pm CST on Saturday, March 9 at Rodeway Inn & Suites in Bossier City, La., with a mandatory rules briefing to follow at 8pm CST. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone in advance to avoid late registration fees.
“The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, along with the City of Shreveport, the City 
of Bossier City, the Caddo Parish Commission and the Bossier Parish Police Jury are excited to have partnered with The Bass Federation on the previous two state high school fishing state championships with the first being on Caddo Lake in 2011 and last year’s event taking place on the Red River,” Vice President of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, Kelly Wells, stated. “We’re excited to be back once again on the world famous Caddo Lake this year and partner with Earl Williamson Park and the Caddo Parish Commission and their staff. The Bass Federation has done a tremendous job growing bass fishing into a high school sport as evidenced by the growing number of participants since the inaugural event. Louisiana and this region are a hot bed for anglers and we hope to have some of our fishermen rise to the next level in the near future.”
Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is only $25/ year 
and includes full TBF and FLW benefits, including FLW Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The state champions from each state will advance to an FLW/TBF High School Fishing Conference Championship. Conference winners will advance to the FLW/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2014. All SAF members nationwide and all state championship participants automatically qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2013 High School Fishing World Finals. At these events students will compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Each team qualifying for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The National Champions will also receive a $5,000 scholarship each to use at the university of their choice.
If you’re not a current 2013 SAF member, there’s a one-time $25/per angler fee. This includes full TBF & FLW membership benefits for the year, as well as, free entry to ALL SAF sanctioned events!
Another unique feature of an SAF sanctioned event is the “angler testing” component. Anglers can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship. “Angler testing and education is an industry first by TBF,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “The Federation is driven by our desire to promote education through fishing and the testing component is designed to do exactly that. Louisiana Bass Federation offers these young anglers and their parents a home to participate in the sport of fishing locally and year round. Our partnership with FLW provides more benefits and opportunities for them to take advantage of too,” Gintert continued. “For only $25 per year these young anglers and their families have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event Details:
State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at HighSchoolFishing.org. Boat numbers are determined by date registered. A $25 late registration fee applies to those registering at check-in. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org
Mandatory Check-in: Saturday, March 9, 6:30-8pm CST at Rodeway Inn & Suites located at 3033 Hilton Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111; rules briefing to follow at 8pm CST.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Sunday, March 10; Takeoff is at first light and weigh-in times will be announced at the Mandatory rules briefing. Questions? 580-765-9031
Host Hotels: Quality Inn and Microtel located at 2713 Village Ln, Bossier, LA 71112. Quality Inn will offer a discounted rate of $85 per night, March 8-9. Reservations can be made by calling (318) 742-7890. Microtel will offer a discounted rate of $75 per night, March 8-9. Reservations can be made by calling (318) 742-7882. Ask for The Bass Federation group rate to receive your discount. Rooms are also available at the Rodeway Inn, call 318-747-2499 and ask for The Bass Federation group rate of $55.
About FLW
FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2013 over the course of 231 tournaments across five tournament circuits, four of which provide an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization there is. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for 45. TBF started the Student Angler Federation and the national High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org
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