Some days are more of a fishing day than a catching day.  A lot of the times the fish just do not jump into the boat and there are days that you don’t catch a couple of dozen fish throughout the day.  That was the kind of day we had this past weekend at the Ohio River.  The temperatures were in the low nineties, with little to no breeze and even fewer clouds.  Shade was at a premium and the only way to stay cool was to get in the water or ride up and down the lake.  But even with these conditions all the High School anglers hit the water eagerly, ready to try and win the title of Student Angler Federation High School State Champions for Ohio.

The Oak Hill Oaks team of Braydon Brown and Evan Potter caught just enough fish to claim the title by just one ounce.  Finishing second was the JHS Fishing team of Landon Camp and Hunter Sites.  Gallia Academy teams took the next three spots with Beau Johnson and Wesley Houck finishing third, Mason Skidmore and Dylan Sheets finishing fourth and Reed Caldwell and James Saunders rounding out the fifth spot.

Most anglers reported having to catch their fish both in the creeks in the mornings and out on the river in the afternoon.  Most anglers were fishing fairly shallow as the morning started and were throwing, topwaters, spinnerbaits and some kind of plastics.  Then when they moved out on the river, most anglers went to crankbaits, topwaters, chatterbaits and Ned Rigs.  The Lew’s Big Bass of the day belonged to the team of Landon Camp and Hunter Sites and earned them two new Lew’s Reels for their efforts.

For full results and photos from this event CLICK HERE.

The 2023 Minnesota State Championship was held on Clearwater Lake in Annandale, Minnesota.

Weather was hot and humid, but everyone had fun.  For a handful of teams, this was their first Tournament.  Cameron Muir and Maxwell Keeler, Monticello Fishing Team, took 1st place with five fish weighing 16 pounds 6 ounces. Coming in 2nd place was Brainerd Warrior team of Mason Green and Brody Kovatovich with 16 pounds 4 ounces. And in 3rd place was Will Utpadel and Jayden Flemming, Albert Lea Anglers with 16 pounds 1 ounce.

Alot of family came to watch the weigh-in.  We are thankful for the Waterfront Lakeside Grille for letting us use their docks and grass area. Many Thanks from parents and boat captains for putting this tournament on. Can’t wait for next year.

The North Dakota State Championship was held on Lake Sakakawea this year.  The weather was perfect and the tournament was timed perfectly with lots of bass being caught.  Teams had to weed through many small bass to decide on their keepers.  North Dakota is one of the few states that does not allow culling so this adds another factor to tournament fishing.  Weights were very close, but Logan & Ryan Bullinger edged out the win for their 5^th consecutive state championship title.  With less than half of a pound difference, the 2^nd place team of Alex Martel and Carson Dewald were only a bite away from 1^st place.   Congratulations to all anglers and thank you to the boat captains!