SAF Cancels HS Events March 15 through April 4

While we have developed special procedures to limit and distance participants in all our events for the foreseeable future. The TBF Student Angler Federation has and will be cancelling most high school events except in very limited, small event, circumstances, from March 15th through April 4th out of support of the requested minimum 14 day distancing requested by our elected officials and Federal health task forces, and for our High School Athletic Association partners who have had to cancel their events. Most of all for the health and safety of our anglers and extended families.

At this point we simply are not certain any of our venues will be open during these rapidly changing conditions, restrictions and closures.  So that our anglers can plan, events are being rescheduled now.  As such the following Student Angler Federation high school events are being rescheduled, new dates are listed where they are available.

  • March 21 – WASHINGTON HS State Championship, on lake Washington is cancelled/reschedule is TBA
  • March 22 – NEVADA HS State Championship, Lake Mead cancelled/reschedule is TBA
  • March 28 – KENTUCKY HS State Championship, on Cumberland from Burnside Island has been rescheduled for April 18th same location with Friday night meeting at the ramp.
  • March 28 MissHSAA Invitational on Ross Barnett is cancelled
  • March 29 – MISSISSIPPI HS State Championship, Ross Barnett cancelled/reschedule is TBA
  • April 4 – VIRGINIA HS State Championship, Lake Gaston cancelled, reschedule is TBA

“We greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding and we will do all we can to minimize impact” stated Robert Cartlidge Federation National Office President /CEO. “However, due to current COVID-19 US guidelines, it is in everyone’s best interest to follow the path laid out by health officials and to do our small part to help stop the spread and protect those that may be high risk.”

Rescheduled dates that are not listed here will be announced as soon as possible. If you have questions contact the Federation National Office at 580-765-9031 M-F from 8:30-5pm and thank you for your understanding.

As a reminder, health experts have publicly advised there is no reason to panic. According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) for most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is LOW.  Based on the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on everyday prevention of any viral infection, such as the flu or Covid-19 we HIGHLY recommend the following tips:

  • STAY HOME – when sick or living with a sick person.
  • DISTANCE – stay at least 6 feet away for other persons
  • COVER – the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
  • OFTEN – Wash your hands OFTEN with soap and water.
  • ROUTINELY – clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
  • LIMIT – face-to-face or Hand to face or eyes contact.
  • CONSULT a healthcare provider as needed.

 

Wade and Ostendorf Claim High School Victory at Lake Dardanelle

High School anglers from all across Arkansas came to Lake Dardanelle to try and earn a birth into the upcoming Student Angler Federation High School Fishing National Championship at La Crosse, WI this June. Even with all the recent rains, the lake was in pretty good shape and the weather was even better than normal.
Catching the BOOYAH Biggest Bag of fish was the Central Arkansas team of Masen Wade and Cody Ostendorf who brought 19-09 pounds to the scales. That was good enough for the win and a spot in upcoming National Championship.

The Lamar Warriors team of Matthew Higby and John Foster Case weighed-in 14-15 pounds to claim second place.

Gavin Harrod and Lane Edwards from Hamburg High School brought 12-01 pounds in and finished third.

The Lew’s Big Bass award went to the team of Austin Rose and Jarrett Burger for their 4-05 pound klunker.

Most all the anglers reported catching their fish up shallow on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and small plastics. Rocky banks, gravel bars and shallow docks all seemed to hold fish.

The 11th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship will be held on June 24-27, 2020 at La Crosse, Wisconsin. For more information about these events visit www.highschoolfishing.org. All photos from this Arkansas event can be seen on our Student Angler Federation (SAF) High School Fishing page.

Team Holley Takes Georgia High School Title at Lake Lanier

Team Holley Takes Georgia High School Title at Lake Lanier

A total of eighty-two teams, from across the state of Georgia, showed up at Lake Lanier trying to be crowned High School Fishing State Champions. The weather actually turned out nice and the fish cooperated as well, making for a great weigh in. Taking the BOOYAH Big Bag Award and the winner’s trophies was the Jackson County High School team of Sam and Jake Holley with a hefty 17-13 pound limit.

They surged to the win, late in the weigh in, by the slimmest of margins, which was one ounce. The brothers claimed that they had a limit early in the day and caught a total of eight keepers throughout the day, giving them the chance to cull three times. They estimated that they added an extra three and a half to four pounds to their original limit weight. Finishing in second place was Jake Wohlers and Jackson Brown from the Oconee Fishing club, with a weight of 17-12 pounds.

 

Third place also had a nice bag of fish with 17-02 pounds landing the team of Josh Rogers and Christopher Newman in the top three.

The Lew’s Big Bass award of two Lew’s Reels went to Team Cameron, Cameron Klaric and Cameron Williams for their giant spotted bass which topped all of the other fish at 5-02 pounds. Great catch Team Cameron!

As always there were a variety of techniques and lures used that were successful during the event. Most popular was the Shakey Head. Most teams were using light weights and light line to catch their fish. Anglers reported catching fish in 20-30 feet of water early in the day, and then as shallow as 4-8 feet in the afternoon as the sun came out and warmed up the water, the fish moved up under the docks in the shallower bays. Also catching fish were square bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Ned Rigs, and Texas Rigged plastics. Dock, gravel points and brush piles were all keys to success for the anglers.

Full results for this event can be found at www.highschoolfishing.org and all of the pictures are posted on our Student Angler Federation Facebook page.