Jake and Josh Dugger were torn with a decision to either play in a local basketball tournament or fish the TBF/FLW Grand Lake Open on Saturday in Grove Oklahoma. They decided to enjoy the spring weather and fish and it was probably one of the best decisions they could have made. The identical twins and their Boat Captain, who is also the Superintendent of schools as well as being their dad, made the trip from their River Valley Bass Club in Northwest Arkansas across state lines into Oklahoma. They were the first to leave the dock in the morning as they led the 29 boat field out of the Wolf Creek Launch Ramp marina and they never looked back as they put together a terrific 5 fish limit of 20lbs. 1 oz. to win the event as well as securing a qualifying spot in the TBF/FLW Southern Conference Regional Championship in October.

Also having a banner day was Cameron Pappan from Winfield High School in Kansas who also ventured south into Oklahoma and put together a terrific 5 fish limit that we weighed in at 16lb. 15oz to finish second and also pick up one of the three qualifying spots available in the event.

Rounding out the top three were Trevor Yates and Jacob Keenum who also brought in a very respectable 5 fish limit that tipped the scales at 13 lbs 9oz.

With all of the anglers fishing in the wake of the TBF Adult National Championship which was held the three previous days as well as a stiff southwest wind, the conditions were less than ideal.

“We kind of just stumbled into them stated” the Duggers. “The amazing thing is that we probably caught as least three limits of fish today and all of them would have been over 15 lb. bags” stated the grinning pair. “It was just one of those days”!

The TBF/FLW High School State Championship is now in full swing with events happening every weekend in some particular state added the winning team.

To view the upcoming schedule contact Highschoolfishing.org and then scroll down to your state.

Results

Anyone looking for a partner for the upcoming Arkansas SAF High School State Championship coming up in May please contact Mark Gintert at mark@bassfederation.com.

This angler does not have a boat but does have tournament experience and is looking for a partner.

Preston Franke and Andrew Zeigler bring Havoc on Lake Austin with a 5 fish limit weighing 20.10 including a 7.97 pound “kicker” bass and win the “Let There be Havoc” on Lake Austin April 5^th

Every fisherman/woman has dreams of catching a double digit bass, and landing a personal best during a tournament. It is something that you remember for a lifetime.

Bringing the second event of the FAN High School Series to Lake Austin in April delivered both experiences to some very happy anglers.

Eighty-eight anglers with their captains launched their boats into the 1600 acre lake on the Colorado River system in the heart of Austin. You could see the excitement of the high school anglers that traveled from as far away as Sugar Land from the South, and Era TX. to the north.

We prayed as the cool cloudy day displayed its early morning light, The National Anthem played, and then the anglers were off to test their strategies and make memories.

The clouds stayed with us throughout the day. However, that did not keep the parents and fans from the Austin 360 Bridge Park to root on their high school and favorite anglers.

With the crowd cheering, the anglers made their way to the stage to share their catches with the fans and supporters and to see how they would compare to the other competitors.

Setting a new FAN High School Fishing Series weight record with, 20.10 pounds was the FAN High School Bass Team of Preston Franke and Andrew Zeigler, including a 7.97 pound “kicker fish” . They fished the mid lake area not traveling far from the launch area, working docs with  TX rigged craws, and the A-Rigged swim baits. Preston and Andrew’s win included each an Abu Garcia ProMax casting reel paired up to a Abu Garcia Varitas 7’ Medium Heavy action rod, and an impressive first place trophy. This win places them in the lead for Anglers of the Year race. Continue reading