PONCA CITY, Okla. (March 28, 2016) – The Bass Federation (TBF), with our “Partner in Fishing” at FLW, announces the 2016 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Arkansas High School State Championship on Saturday, May 7 at the Lake Dardenelle State Park near Russellville, AR.

The state championship is a two person event for students in grades 9-12. Each team can have one member in 7th or 8th grade, if needed. All teams should pre-register online for high school events at HighSchoolFishing.org to avoid onsite late fees. Each team and their “coach,” who provides the boat they compete in, will need to check in at 5:30pm-7pm CST on May 6th at the Lake Dardanelle State Park. A rules briefing will immediately follow. Take off is at 6:30am and the weigh-in will begin at 2:30pm.

“TBF and our partners in fishing at FLW are the only organizations to offer a state championship in every state and Canada,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, stated. “There’s no question our State Championship Series provides the foundation to make SAF the largest high school fishing organization in North America.”

The top 10% of each 2016 State Championship event advances to a FLW/TBF Conference Regional Championship. The top 10% from the Conference Regional events advance to the FLW/TBF High School National Championship to compete for the top team prize of a $10,000 scholarship. As an added bonus, national championship teams will compete out of new Ranger Boats provided for them, along with paid hotel accommodations and other perks. The final day weigh-in will take place on the FLW main stage in front of a live FLW Tour stop!

Go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation and to sign up for events. If you’re not a 2016 SAF member, annual cost is $25 year. Pay in advance or register for an event online and pay then. There are no entry fees as long as you enter your active/paid SAF membership number at the time of registration!
SAF membership includes full TBF and FLW competitor membership benefits, FLW Magazine e- Edition, online training programs and full insurance coverage for clubs, officers and student members.

In addition to State Championships, SAF National OPENs and other events held across the nation will advance the top 3 teams to their Conference Regional Championships. All SAF members automatically qualify to compete in the pinnacle of all high school events, the 2016 High School Fishing World Finals for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes each year. The World Finals format allows anglers to test their skills against high school anglers from across the nation at a week-long family vacation event, which will be held in Florence, Alabama on Pickwick Reservoir, June 28-July 2. This no entry fee, come one, come all mega event gives every high school team a shot at the sports top prizes and honors.

Arkansas State Championship Details:

Sign-up: Pre-register online at HighSchoolFishing.org or a $25 late registration fee can apply to those registering onsite. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org. Just enter your active SAF membership number during online SAF event registration.

Mandatory Check-in: Friday, May 6 at 5:30pm-7pm at the Lake Dardanelle State Park near Russellville, AR.

Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, May 7 at Lake Dardenelle State Park. Take-off at 6:30am with weigh- in at 2:30pm. Questions? 580-765-9031

Tournament Waters: Lake Dardanelle

About FLW/: FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2015 over the course of 240 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 tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world. For more information about FLW visit FLWFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About The Bass Federation: The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 45 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2007 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on facebook!

                                                                                                               ###

Tyler Hilton and Caleb Crawford from South Bossier High School put together a five fish limit that weighed 15lbs 13oz to edge past the home town duo of Dustin Howell and Logan Anderson.  Howell and Anderson from Natchitoches High School also had a nice limit of fish that tipped in just two ounces behind at 15lbs 11oz.

The pair claimed the runner-up spot in the 78 boat field at Sibley Lake in Natchitoches, La., as well as, an 8lb beauty that claimed the Lew’s Big Bass award.

The top seven teams advance to the Southern Conference Regional Championship, which will be held in Shreveport, La., in October.

The City of Natchitoches and Northwestern State University once again served as host to the event, which drew anglers from across the state of Louisiana.

Coming in third, was the team of Trent Hunt and Joshua Dupree from Haughton High School who also had a limit weighing 14lbs 8oz.  Their bag was anchored by a very respectable 6lb 2oz Sibley Lake bass.

Colby Robinson and Nick Nocilla from Barbe High School came in fourth narrowly with a 14lb 4oz bag right in front of John Gault and Owen Greg from St. Fredrick High School with a 14lb 2oz limit.

Tyler Thames and Lauren Rowe from Live Oak High School claimed the 6^th spot with a limit weighing 12lbs 10oz.  While Clayton Simmons and Preston Lonadier from Loyala College Prep High School locked down the final qualifying spot with a 12lbs 4oz.

The TBF/FLW Championship series continues its trek across the country with events in Illinois and Indiana coming up this weekend.

Full Results click HERE!