(Wahpeton)– Middle school and high school anglers from across the state will converge on the Iowa Great Lakes May 20th for The Bass Federation’s State Championships. Event coordinator Bob Harris says the youth will be competing for some big prizes…
“Anybody is eligible, they have to be a TBF member to join, there’s no entry fee for that. It’s two anglers per boat with a boat captain and the kids will actually fish for prizes and trophies but then they will also try to qualify for the high school national championship which is in La Crosse, Wisconsin where they’ll fish for over $3 million worth of scholarships at the high school level at the end of June, and the juniors will fish, try to qualify for the Junior World Championship at the end of July.”
Harris anticipates about 50 boats will be launching the day of the tournament from the Emerson Bay boat ramp. He says the Iowa Bass Federation has held the event a number of years but in the past it was primarily held in eastern Iowa…
“They’re the originator of the Student Angler Federation for high school fishing and I just started as a parent with some seed money and nine students two and-a-half years ago and now we’re over 150 students and we’re looking to have probably 50 plus boats converge on Okoboji for the state championship.”
He says they’re excited to bring the event to the Iowa Great Lakes this year…
“Just the overall beauty of Okoboji and what it has to offer, that was just a clear choice to give the kids an experience like they would have at the Bass Masters Elite Series or the MLS Series on that big of body of water.”
Harris adds the event offers a unique opportunity for youth…
“60 percent of the kids that are in competitive fishing do not play another sport in school. So this opens another opportunity for those outdoorsy type kids. You know, the fish doesn’t care if you drive a $90,000 bass boat or if you’re in a jon boat or if you can dunk a basketball or, you know, if you’re the fastest person on the track. The fish don’t care as long as you have a passion for putting a lure in the water and catching it. They’re equal opportunity employees.”
Harris adds they’re still looking for businesses and organizations in the area that would be willing to donate items and prizes for the event. Anyone interested should contact him at 712-304-2015.
Harris says the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club is also helping out locally with the event.
He adds a special tournament will be held Sunday, May 21st, for boat captains as a way to say thank you for their help.
