PONCA CITY, Okla. (Dec. 3, 2014) – The Bass Federation (TBF) and affiliated Student Angler Federation (SAF) announce that the prestigious High School Fishing World Finals will make a venue change in 2015 to Florence, Ala., on the legendary Pickwick Reservoir, following a successful five-year inaugural run for the event at Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle.
The 2015 championship, July 6 – 11, is expected to again draw more than 100 teams from as many as 25 states, bringing together the best of the best in high school fishing.

HIgh school anglers from as many as 25 states are expected to be among the more than 100 teams competing in the 2015 High School Fishing World Finals, with the July 6-11 event to be hosted for the first time by Florence, Ala., and PIckwick Lake. (Click to view/download image)

“Florence/Lauderdale Tourism is very excited to bring the Student Angler Federation and its World Finals event to our area,” said Suzie Shoemaker, sports marketing coordinator for the tourism group. “The education and experience these young people receive through bass fishing is helping to shape them into incredible young adults. We are thrilled to have them and their families coming to our great city, and the summer event can’t get here fast enough for us!”
TBF National Youth Director Mark Gintert agrees that Florence offers a great new venue for the SAF event.
“First, I’d like to recognize Russellville, Ark., for the their wonderful role in helping us build our High

School Fishing program into what it has become; they were terrific hosts,” said Gintert. “We see Florence continuing the momentum, serving up the ideal middle-of-the-country location and the iconic fishing setting of Pickwick Lake. The tourism team has been a great group to work with and they are genuinely interested in bringing family-oriented events to their city. Our family-focused event is a perfect fit.”

High School Fishing’s World Finals present one of the most unique and fair formats found in competitive fishing today. It is designed to give every team an equal chance to advance to Saturday’s final round of 21 teams.
Competition begins with anglers competing over the first two days against others from their own states. The top

two teams from each state then advance on to the semi-final round on day three.
Those who did not qualify for the semi-finals are placed

in a consolation round with yet another chance to still make it to the final day, much like how double elimination baseball tournaments work.
“Our kids are coming here to fish and we’re giving them a couple of different ways to make it all the way. Regardless of where a team finishes, everybody enjoys their time during championship week,” Gintert added.
Online registration for the 2015 championship opens January 15 at www.highschoolfishing.org. Additional details about the event and future updates can also be found on the same web site.

Date: January 10^th

Location: Lake Cumberland, Kentucky

Launch: Burnside Island

Entry fee: $25

Tournament hours: 8:00-2:00

5 fish Limit

Trophies for 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd place will be awarded.

This is a fundraiser for Southwestern and Pulaski County Schools.

For questions call or text:

Barry Strunk 606-305-7885

Mark Morgan 606-275-9867

PONCA CITY, Okla. (Nov. 13. 2014) – The Future Fisherman Foundation announces its annual online auction is scheduled for Dec. 1 – 8, and once again boasts an impressive lineup of outdoor products and guided fishing trips, fresh and saltwater, with the door still open for more to be added.

The important fundraiser for the non-profit organization is managed on eBay and helps support Future Fisherman’s “Ensuring the Future of Fishing” mission and its legendary programs like “Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” and “Physh Ed.”

The auction opens at 8 a.m. CST, Dec. 1. Participation is easy, requiring only an online visit to

www.FutureFisherman.org, clicking on the “F3 Auctions” tab, and following the links to the eBay non-profit auction site for viewing and bidding on Future Fisherman’s list of items.

A top prize repeating from last year’s successful event is a lunch outing with Ranger Boats’ icons Forrest and Nina Wood in Flippin, Ark. Accompanying the lunch package is a half-day fishing trip on nearby Bull Shoals Lake, with the guide handpicked by the Ranger founder.

“The number and quality of fishing trips from all across the country on the auction list are amazing, with many being hosted by top professional anglers and fishing celebrities,” said Future Fisherman’s Mark Gintert. “The donated products are equally impressive, ranging from lure assortments to rod and reel outfits to foul weather gear to top-of-the-line electronics. With holiday season gift-buying top of mind for many right now, this is definitely a put-it-on-the-calendar activity.”

The Future Fisherman auction closes at 5 p.m. CST, Dec. 8. Gintert said the prizes are awarded in a timely manner after the auction’s end so that those who have purchased them as gifts will have them in time for Christmas.

Gintert also said the Foundation is still accepting donations for the auction too. Those interested in providing fishing trips, products and memorabilia can make contact by e-mailing info@futurefisherman.org.

All proceeds from the auction help the Future Fisherman Foundation’s efforts to engage youth in positive lifestyle programs such as fishing and getting them involved in the great outdoors.

Established in 1986, the Future Fisherman Foundation unites the sportfishing industry and a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups and youth organizations.

Although youth focused, the efforts help people of all ages have safe and enjoyable fishing experiences while also fostering conservation ethics.

The Future Fisherman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.