17th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship Event Begins
The pinnacle event in high school fishing kicked off with registration tonight at the Russell County High School in Russell County, Ky. There are 411 teams slated to battle it out this week on Lake Cumberland. Teams consist of two high school anglers and their boat captain. Lake Cumberland Tourism, Russel County, has welcomed teams, their families, and a plethora of sponsors, vendors, and spectators to its beautiful community this week for what is sure to be an epic event.
“Hosting the 17th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship is a transformational moment for Russell County and Lake Cumberland,” Lake Cumberland Tourism Director Danielle Wilson said. “This event brings hundreds of student anglers and thousands of family members, coaches, and spectators from across the nation to experience our community, many for the very first time.
The immediate impact is seen in our hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, retailers, and local businesses, but the long-term impact is even greater,” Wilson continued. “By showcasing Lake Cumberland on a national stage, we are creating future visitors, future tournament opportunities, and lasting economic growth for our region. We are proud to welcome these young anglers and their families and look forward to demonstrating the hospitality, natural beauty, and world-class fishing that make Russell County such a special destination.”
Over 4.1 million in scholarships and prizes will be offered up for grabs, to top high school anglers from across North America. Each team is allowed a three-bass limit each day, two of which are weighed on the water. Each team will only bring one bass across the weigh-in stage. During the live weigh-in portion, all fish will go directly into state-of-the-art live-release boats and be returned right back to Lake Cumberland.
“Events of this scale don’t just happen overnight; nearly two years of planning and preparation set the foundation for these championship events,” National Youth Director, Joey Bray, said. “All the prestige and fanfare that comes with it is because of that foundation and our incredible sponsor partners, board of directors, staff, and their families, as well as volunteers from across the US. At the SAF’s core is family and the importance of the great outdoors for our families and our futures. The next generation of not only the fishing industry but also our country is here this week, and that’s no small thing.”
Each day, anglers will cross the stage at the Russell County Jaycees County Fairgrounds to boast their catch. Every tournament angler will also receive sponsor merch during the weigh-ins. The Jaycees County Fairground is ready to pack the house for thousands of eager tournament goers. One thing is for sure: the lives of those crowned champions this week will never be the same.
“When we started building the high school fishing program in 2006, we already had a successful junior program through The Bass Federation to mirror and build upon,” Founder of the Student Angler Federation’s high school fishing program Robert Cartlidge, commented.
“The idea for the SAF’s high school program wasn’t solely about fostering the next generation of Professional anglers or helping them get sponsor patches on their shirts. Some will excel toward that, but the greater goal was to bring high school anglers and, more specifically, high school anglers and their families into the great outdoors. Looking out into this crowd of nearly 4,000 people, this is what it’s all about.”
Registration tables were full of free sponsor merchandise for every tournament angler. The SAF’s limited-edition shirts, hats, and performance dry-fit fishing shirts were going fast, as well as food from the Krusty Butt BBQ food truck and the Russell County High School Cheerleaders’ bake sale tents.
Special shout-out to all of the sponsors for supporting high school anglers now and in the future. These sponsors showed out today in a big way: The Student Angler Federation, The Bass Federation (TBF), Major League Fishing, Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, Nitro, Rapala, Rapala Crush City, Garmin, Okuma, Hammer Bullets, Lews, Sufix, Gemini Jerseys, St. Croix, Eagle Claw Tro-kar, Fishlab, Seaguar, 13 Fishing, Strike King, Seviin, VMC, and BaitFuel.
Wednesday morning, teams check out from the Lake Cumberland Marina state boat dock at 6 am or first light. From there, the battle begins to see who will be crowned both World Final and National Champion anglers.
Take-offs and weigh-ins will be live-streamed FREE daily on www.highschoolfishing.org and SAF’s Facebook page.
