The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW Outdoors, and the Virginia Bass Federation announced held the 2012 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Virginia High School Fishing State Championship. The event was Sunday, April 22 on Lake Gaston launching out of the Lake Gaston Americamps ramp near Bracey, Va. A unique element of this event is that it followed the FLW Bass Fishing League event, held Saturday on Lake Gaston.
On a day where wicked weather and 5 bass limits were the order of the day Junior Roberts and Ryan Drewery from Prince George High School brought a solid bag weighing 14 lbs. 11oz narrowly edging out second place finishers Gavin Stone and Blake Hendrick of Thomas Drake High School who also brought a 5 bass limit to the scales weighing 14lbs 4 oz.
Junior Roberts was on the 2011 Virginia State Championship team, fished the Regional event and won it, to fish in the first ever High School Fishing National Championship just a few weeks ago in South Carolina.
Finishing third was the duo of Michael Allen and Michael Taylor from Greensville County high School who also weighed in a very respectable 5 fish limit at 14lbs even.
Twenty-four teams had to battle a 20 degree temperature drop from the previous day and a steady rain to conquer the best that Lake Gaston had to offer.
The Virginia Bass Federation also awarded the Virginia High School Memorial trophy to Patrick County High School.
A special note goes out to John S. Battle Angler Gabe Poole who attended his grandmother’s funeral on Saturday night only to return to the event on Sunday morning and finish a very respectable 9th place. Great job Gabe and I’m sure your family is very proud of your efforts.
FINAL STANDINGS
All SAF members and state championship participants qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals to compete for thousands of dollars in college scholarships and prizes. Each team that qualifies for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The National Champions will also each receive a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their choice.
The TBF High School Championship series continues this week with the South Carolina Championship at Greenwood Lake. The 2012 High School Fishing World Finals will return to Russellville, Ark., July 15-21. Registration is open to ALL SAF members. It’s a no entry-fee event, SAF members can go online at www.highschoolfishing.org to register.
For information on how to join the new and exciting sport of high school bass fishing, visit www.HighSchoolFishing.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hsfishing or follow us on Twitter @hs_fishing.
