Lake Blackshear, GA. / Jan. 2012
The Future Fishermen Club (F.F.C.) at Tift County High School held their first Inaugural Bass Club tournament on Jan. 28th in Cordele, Ga. at Lake Blackshear. The Team was Formed in Dec. 2011 and currently has approximately 12 members registered in the Student Angler Federation/ High School Division. The Tournament was a huge success thanks to the Tifton BassBusters (TBF) Members and the following Sponsors: Tenneson Nissan (Transportation) and Harveys Supermarkets of Tifton, Coca-Cola of Sylvester,GA.,Down South Outdoors (prizes donated), Curtis Packing Co.(Tifton),T.C.H.S. Athletic Dept.,Bobby(Roho) Bennett, Ret. Coach Roy McWilliams (Grill Master), The National Guard / SSG John Roland (Plaques) .
There were some Keeper Bass caught (14 inch min.) By Non- Tournament Participants from the Tifton BassBusters, but FFC member Jakyle Mckee caught one and took a Picture of it to verify the only Club member catch! Plaques were awarded Via a Team drawing. The Prize Raffle give-away was great and each Club Member had their ticket drawn for various prizes such as,a Frogg-Togg Rain Jacket, Lures, Sunglasses, Down-South Outdoors T- shirts, various lures and a BassPro Shop $50 gift card was given to one lucky Tifton BassBuster volunteer. Prizes provided(over ($400 in value) by Bobby Bennett (Down South Outdoors) and Gift card by Coach Bruce Begue.
Begue said, ” These Young anglers are the pioneers of something Huge started in Tift County!They gained valuable knowledge about fishing competitively and gained some experience that will help them next time out. It takes a lot of patience and confidence in what you are fishing with to produce (catch fish) each time. Thats the difference in fishing versus catching.” The Tifton BassBusters were very enthusiastic about helping the young anlers and look forward to assisting the High School in future events. Gary Kourtoy and Ed Newton along with Chad McMurrian demonstrated Skip- casting for the young anglers by the docks at the boat ramp after feasting on Hamburgers and hotdogs grilled by Coach Roy.
Other tournaments are a Regional Qualifier in March at Lake Blackshear. The State Tournament will be held in Gainesville, GA. in June at Lake Lanier. Students will be competing for College Scholarships worth up to $5,000 per year, to a college of their choice and fish on the college circuit while earning a 4 year degree. The World High School Finals will take place in Russelville Arkansas in July, where they will compete for $10,000 in scholarship funding .
Club Members Pictured (from L-R) Ivan Rangel, J.C. Clark, Jeremy Deen, Jahmir Jordan, JaKyle McKee, Brock Walker, Cody Broome, R.J. Biggers
Not Pictured Members: Rashad Parks, Josh Dopson, David Luke, Tyler Parks, Michael Barnes
