WAGONER, Okla. (April 9, 2012) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW and the Wagoner Chamber of Commerce, has announced that the 2012 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Oklahoma High School Fishing State Championship will be held Sunday, May 6 on Fort Gibson Lake at Taylor Ferry Marina & Resort in Wagoner, Okla.
The tournament is open to all Oklahoma ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students, including home schooled students, that are Student Angler Federation members. SAF membership cost $25 per year and includes a digital subscription to FLW Bass Fishing magazine, insurance coverage while competing in SAF events (including the option to add a school as additionally insured), an exclusive online fishing education program, discounts on Coast Guard approved boater safety courses and many other benefits. Students 16 and older are also eligible to win great prizes in the monthly FLW Giveaway.
“The mayor and I are very pleased the TBF & FLW have picked Wagoner to host the 2012 SAF Oklahoma State Championship. It really helps the economic impact to our community, and the anglers are so friendly and show their appreciation of all we do to make them feel welcome. Being an avid fishing person myself, I get really excited when the TBF & FLW choose to fish Fort Gibson as it is one of the best bass lakes in Oklahoma,” said Cyrina Lang, tournament & tourism director, Wagoner Area Chamber of Commerce.”
The Oklahoma High School Fishing State Championship is a two-person team event. Multiple teams representing the same school are encouraged. Registration for teams and their “coach,” who will provide a boat and accompany the team on the water, is open online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Join FLW for the Walmart Bass Fishing League weigh-in at Taylor Ferry Marina & Resort in Wagoner at 3 p.m. on May 5. Onsite registration for the Oklahoma High School Fishing State Championship will begin immediately following weigh-in at approximately 5 p.m. followed by the rules meeting at approximately 5:30 p.m. All teams are encouraged to register online in advance to avoid late onsite registration fees.
The winning team will advance to a High School Fishing Conference Championship held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Conference Championship this fall. Conference Championship winners then advance to the High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2013. Each member of the winning team at the High School Fishing National Championship will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Each team that qualifies for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses.
All SAF members and state championship participants also qualify for the largest event in High School Fishing, the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals, where they will compete for thousands of dollars in college scholarships and prizes.
2012 Oklahoma High School Fishing State Championship Details:
Online Registration: Register online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Boat numbers are determined by registration date, so don’t delay. A $25 late registration fee applies to those registering onsite.
Onsite Registration: All teams must check-in Saturday, May 5 following the Walmart BFL weigh-in at approximately 5 p.m. at the BFL trailer located at Taylor Ferry Marina & Resort,334179 Marina Drive, Wagoner, OK 74467. A mandatory rules briefing will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Sunday, May 6 at Taylor Ferry Marina,334179 Marina Drive, Wagoner, OK 74467. Takeoff is at 7 a.m. and weigh-in will begin at 2 p.m.
Questions: Contact Walter Haney at whaney@flwoutdoors.com or 270-252-1575 or Alex Craw at alex@bassfederation.com or 580-765-9031.
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 2012 over the course of 191 tournaments across five tournament circuits, each providing 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 the world’s richest fantasy sports game – FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Bass Federation: The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those its serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization. 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 more than 40 years. Visit bassfederation.com.
