National Youth Fishing Tournament

[Phil Lilley]

I had the honor today to captain a couple of Jr High boys from Springfield in the aforementioned tournament today on Table Rock.  I had William and Sam Kuzemka in my boat.  We launched out of State Park, first cast at 6:35 a.m. on the first point NW of the ramp close to the Branson Belle.

They started out throwing a swim bait (grub) but I quickly switched them to a ned and it was on.  They fished my smallmouth banks in Jakes, Powerline and Clevenger Coves... all the ones I could remember.  I don't think I got over there any last spring so I was going off my long-time memory.

Set the boat in 16-20 feet most of the time until the fog burned off about 10 a.m., then we backed out to 30 feet.  I had them fish the bottom although every 3rd or 4th cast came back with the green slime.

They had about 13 keepers, all smallies expect one spot.  We culled a couple of 16-inchers and had one kicker brown about 3.5 pounds.  All bass except the spot appeared to have spawned - they had no pouches at all.... but what do I know, I'm a trout guy.  Had may be the same number of shots plus 3-4 nice gogs (which I'm going back for this week!!).

The boys weighed in at 13.58 and took 2nd out of 60 teams.

260 teams in the high school division... weigh in at White Water.  Needless to say there was a traffic jam getting into the lot, which was basically full when I left at the beginning of the High School weigh in period.  I hope they pulled it together cause .... well you know.

Ulrich was there with 2 pontoons/tanks for the catches.  Babler said they do a good job keeping them alive and back in the lake.

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[dwiebenga]

That is so awesome!

[m&m]

Phil, wonderful story. Congratulations to all the participants and to the adults who captained the boats. Very worthwhile activity. 

Mike

[magicwormman]

Great job Mr. Phil! The smile on their faces says it all! We need more of rhese activities for our young people today.

[Phil Lilley]

1 hour ago, m&m said:

Phil, wonderful story. Congratulations to all the participants and to the adults who captained the boats. Very worthwhile activity. 

Mike

Did I see you around Moonshine yesterday?

[Dirtrider389]

My nephews group ended up in 4th Saturday with big bass... where was this series when I was in school

[Seth]

I just hope the team from my town caught a fish this tournament. They haven't weighed in a fish in any tournaments they have fished. I'm all for getting kids out there to experience this type of stuff, but they are in over their head. I've fished with them on a local lake near where we live that is over ran with bass and they can barely catch fish there.......

[fshndoug]

Seth we all had to start some where.With all the info available these days I am sure they will improve rapidly.Better than playing video games all day or watching all the bs on tv.

[Seth]

8 minutes ago, fshndoug said:

Seth we all had to start some where.With all the info available these days I am sure they will improve rapidly.Better than playing video games all day or watching all the bs on tv.

How many of us started out doing full fledged bass tournaments versus pond prowling and learning the basics? You have to walk before you can run, especially when you're shelling out a couple hundred bucks just to participate. I'm just hoping the kids don't get turned off to it by getting their butts kicked time and time again.

[fshndoug]

Heck those kids might fish all the time.When I was young I used to go up to a local pond and fish every day.I bet some of those parents have enough money to let their kids fish those tourneys.Just need to tell the kids it is fishing and not catching.Are the river fish biting.,haven't seen any photos lately.