2024 Student Angler Federation (SAF) State Championship Tournament was held on 02/17/2024, Lake Jordan, State Ramp, Wetumpka, AL, presented by Elmore Economic Development Authority. The event was originally scheduled for Alabama River, Cooters Pond, Prattville; however, due to high waters and unsafe launching conditions at Cooters Pond the event was moved to Lake Jordan. High School anglers were eager to challenge the waters of Lake Jordan and the weather conditions were to be cold/chilly winds 10-15 mph out of the north.

Upon closing the scales, the High School team of Carson Underwood – Easton Morris of Hewitt Trussville Fishing took 1st place honors with a five fish limit weighing 14.77.  Claiming second place was the team of Jordan Houston – Ethan Hopkins of Mortimer Jordan Bass Club with a weight of 13.09.  Finishing in third was the team of Houston Dodd – Alex Stone of Sand Rock Wild Cats Fishing Team with a weight of 12.51. Andrew Graves-Michael Maynor of Hewitt Trussville with a weight of 11.84 were fourth and Chase Bryan – Wyatt Bryan of Saraland Spartans Fishing Team with a weight of 11.82 finished fifth place of the high school teams.

Finishing in 1^st Place earned Carson Underwood-Easton Morris of Hewitt Trussville Fishing Team the opportunity to participate in the 2024 TBF District 4 National Semi-Finals as co-anglers, which is scheduled 7-8 September, Lake Wheeler, Ingalls Harbor, Decatur, AL.

The teams  of Carson Underwood – Easton Morris; Jordan Houston – Ethan Hopkins; Houston Dodd – Alex Stone and Andrew Graves – Michael Maynor qualified to fish the 2024 High School National Championship scheduled 19-22 June 2024, Lake Hartwell, Anderson, SC.

Cool weather and rising waters made the Student Anglers scramble for new waters with feeding fish.

With 142 teams taking to the waters the Rustin High Bearcats team of Ethan Thrash partnered with Zachary McMillan took first place with a Rapala Crush City Crushing Conservation Five Live Fish weighing in at 16 pounds and 2 ounces.

Coming in with a close second place finish was Ty Smith and Titan Sepulvado representing Converse High Fishing team they also had a Rapala Crushing Conservation five live limit weighing 15 pounds and 15 ounces.

The third place team weighed in at 15 pounds 6 ounces representing Quitman Wolverines was Hayden Davis and Maddox Duck

Fourth place went to Lady Anglers, Alexis Virgillito  and Taylor Bacot they had a limit of fish weighing 14 pounds 14 ounces. Fifth place went to Captain Shreve High School Fishing team of Bailey Collier and Landon Baker with five fish weighing 14 pounds and 2 ounces.

First place through 14^th place all secured a National Berth to the 15^th Annual High School Fishing World Finals & National championship to be held on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC, June the 19^th – 22nd.  Great job anglers and we will see you in Anderson this summer.

The 2024 season of the GHSA Fishing League started off strong at Lake Seminole with a total of 243 teams coming out to try and qualify for their Final Championship in May.  The anglers went thru a roller coaster of a weekend.  There were showers on Friday morning, lots of sunshine and temperatures were in the upper sixties.  Then came Saturday morning and the temperatures had fallen to about 28 and the wind was blowing out of the north and the high didn’t quite make it to forty.  But none the less, the anglers hit the waters, in search of enough fish to win or at least enough fish to qualify.

Hayden Reynolds and Caleb Logue – Bainbridge Basscats

Hayden Reynolds and Caleb Logue – Bainbridge Basscats with 19 pounds 10 ounces

The local Bainbridge Basscats team of Hayden Reynolds and Caleb Logue topped the field with a quality sack of fish weighing 19 pounds and 10 ounces for the win.  Finishing in second was James Wall and Caden Brett of Perry High School with 17-03 pounds.  Dawson County Tiger team of Carter Cunningham and Landon Glander brought 13-03 to the scales to secure a third-place finish.  Dawson Nesbit and Rigby Brown of the Lee County Trojans finished fourth with 12-13.  One ounce behind them in fifth place was the Colquitt County Packer team of Jake Wilkes and Joseph Jackson with 12-12.  They always say, “If you are only going to catch one fish, you might as well catch a big one”.  That is exactly what the Colquitt County Packer team of Carl Brown Jr and CJ Bryant did.  They brought in just one fish, but it topped the scales at 9-08 to take the Big Bass Award for the event.

Carl Brown Jr and CJ Bryant – Colquitt County Packers – Big Bass 9-08

Most anglers seemed to be catching their fish on a variety of baits at depths from about six to fifteen feet of water.  Jigs, Chatterbaits, Crankbaits, Jerkbaits and Creature Baits all were catching fish throughout the day. Most anglers reported that the fishing had been slowed down by the cold weather as they were only able to barely reach their five fish limits and most never caught enough keepers to even cull any during the day.

For full results of this event CLICK HERE.  To see all the photos of the take-off, weigh in and awards CLICK HERE.