The 13 Teams of Highschool Anglers arrived to find a much different weather pattern than what they practiced in. During practice the weather was sunny with highs in the mid 80’s. On Championship day it was overcast, windy with occasional rain and 45 degrees. This however did not affect the Smallmouth bite as the fish were moving up to spawn.

Eleven teams brought fish to the scales  with six Teams bringing in a limit of Bass. When the rain had cleared only two pounds separated 1st and 5th. The Team of Joshua Smith and Landon Ray came out on top with a limit of Bass weighing 15.60lbs. They also had big fish of the tournament at 3.67lbs. In 2nd place was the Team of Konnor Sweet and Blaine Miller with 14.45lbs followed closely by the 3rd place Team of Brock Sawyer and Landon Nixon with 14.08lbs.

The Teams brought 40 Bass to the scales collectively and because of the great care they provided the fish throughout the day all fish were released alive.

The 2023 Arkansas SAF State Championship was held on Lake Quachita in Mt. Ida, AR. The anglers were met with a cool start and post frontal conditions to start the day and on Lake Ouachita or any clear water highland reservoir that can make for tough fishing. Fish were in all 3 phases of the spawn. Some anglers reported catching fish off beds while others relied on a variety of shallow water techniques.

Ramsey Gilbert and Chandler Perkins, Mt. Ida Lions, took 1st place with five fish that weighed 14 pounds 10 ounces. In 2nd place was Jasper Jones and Miles Welch from Emerson High School. Jasper and Miles has a limit of fish that weighed 12 pounds 10 ounces. Hunter Gathright and Colton Arnold, Prescott High School, came in 3rd place with 12 pounds 9 ounces. Cole Martin and Josh Bowen from Lakeside High fishing team took 4th place with 12 pounds 8 ounces.

These top 4 teams will all advance to the 14th Annual High School Fishing World Final and National Championship in LaCrosse, WI on the Mississippi River. Safe travels and good luck to the anglers!

The 2023 Texas SAF State Championship was held on Lake Conroe in Conroe, TX. After a very long fog delay, the teams finally got to head to their fishing spots. At the end of the day, Wyatt Ford and Reece Findley came out on top with a five fish limit that weighed 21 pounds 4 ounces.

Coming in 2nd place was Fallon Clepper and Matthew Jones, also with a five fish limit of 14 pounds 10 ounces.

Blayne Beall and Aidan Castro took 3rd place with 14 pounds 3 ounces and took home the prize for the biggest bass of the tournament at 7 pounds 3 ounces. Blayne and Aidan were each awarded a Lew’s reel for their big bass.

Rounding out the top 4 teams was Jackson Wilkerson and Jack Haag with 13 pounds 12 ounces. The top 4 teams will advance to the 14th Annual High School Fishing World Final and National Championship in LaCrosse, WI. Good luck to all the anglers. For full results and more photos of this event CLICK HERE