THE BASS FEDERATION
They got off to a stellar start on the first day of competition with 18-8 of largemouth that they boated before lunchtime , but they entered the final day with a scant a 1-ounce lead over second place .
“ I was nervous at takeoff ,” Clepper said . “ I thought we were going to get gapped by everybody , but when we got to our spot , there was only one other boat there .”
Their winning 12-pound , 14-ounce bag got a massive boost early on the final day when Ford tossed a Zoom Trick Worm on a shaky head onto a ledge . He felt his line tighten and set the hook on what felt like a big one . When he was finally able to bring the bass to the net held by the team ’ s boat captain – Clepper ’ s dad , Julian – the fish revealed itself as a true difference-maker : A 7-8 largemouth , which was the second-biggest fish weighed in during the event .
“ I was thinking that we had been here before ,” Ford said in reference to the team ’ s first fish of the tournament , another 7-plus-pounder . “ I knew if we got it in the boat that we might have a shot .”
Add two more quality keepers from teammate Clepper , and the Texas duo secured a 5-pound win over New Hampshire ’ s team of Connor Holbrook and Bradyn Antosiewicz ( 34-4 ) on high school bass fishing ’ s biggest stage .
While the championship trophy and accompanying scholarship opportunities represent major achievements for the Texas team , for Clepper , it signifies a first in the history of the sport : The Lake Creek High senior is now the first female to win the High School Fishing National Championship .
Clepper started to develop her passion for fishing at 11 years old with her father , and hopes the win proves to her competitors and other young female anglers that tournament bass fishing is truly a co-ed sport that offers opportunities to both girls and boys .
“ I want to see more girls out here getting in it ,” Clepper said . “ Just because a boy says you can ’ t do it doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t . Just keep after them . It doesn ’ t even seem real right now . I feel like I ’ m in a dream . I ’ ve always dreamed of this day and it finally came true .”
Clepper and Ford started fishing together when their parents , who were childhood friends , reconnected at a meet-the-teacher event during their freshman year .
“ I asked ( Ford ) if he was going to fish ,” Clepper said . “ He said ‘ yes ’ and that he didn ’ t have a partner , so we ended up together ever since then .”
Three years later , the two fishingforged friends stood together on stage with one of bass fishing ’ s most famous rivers as a backdrop . At their feet lay massive checks totaling more than $ 250,000 in scholarship offers . The two most coveted trophies in high school bass fishing were hoisted above their heads . And in the crowd , a pair of overjoyed parents cheered feverishly for their kids .
National Championship Top 10 Teams
1 . Fallon Clepper & Wyatt Ford 39-9 | Lake Creek High School
2 . Bradyn Antosiewicz & Connor Holbrook 34-4 | Keene Blackbirds
3 . Walker Krampitz & Brady Matz 32-5 | Owatonna Huskies
4 . Ian Carter & Colby Dark 32-3 | NE Louisiana High School
5 . Levi Harris & Zane Roberts 31-15 | Fairview Aggies
6 . Walker Larue & Joe Vaulton 31-9 | Alcoa High School
7 . Mark Andrew Trant & Noah Trant 29-2 | Calvery Baptist Academy
8 . Jackson Betker & Kennrick Kisch 28-9 | Osseo Senior High School
9 . Gerald Brumbaugh & Dalton Metzger 28-9 | Central Dragons
10 . Grey Allums & Zach Halbert 25-9 | Benton High Tigers
Second place finishers Connor Holbrook and Bradyn Antosiewicz .
2022 High School World Champions Fallon Clepper and Wyatt Ford .
92 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022