Bass Fishing May - Jun 2018 | Page 98

TBF WHAT’S MAKING NEWS IN THE BASS FEDERATION By Dan Johnson CHASTAIN, OTT WIN GEORGIA HSF STATE CHAMPIONSHIP T he Student Angler Federation’s 2018 High School Fishing State Championship schedule began Saturday, Feb. 10 as 62 Georgia high school teams competed on West Point Lake. Challenging spring conditions including cold water mud- died by recent rains tested the field’s skills. Many of the young competitors elected to fan-cast shallow water along chunk rock banks using crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits and lip- less crankbaits. When the dust settled, Thomas Chastain and Carter Ott of the Gilmer Fishing Club took top honors with a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces. The top six teams qualified for the upcoming High School Fishing National Championship June 27-30 on Pickwick Lake at McFarland Park in Florence, Ala. The 2018 High School Fishing tournament schedule con- sists of 65 events spread throughout the U.S. and Canada. There is no limit to the number of teams accepted from each school or club, and there is no tournament entry fee. For a full schedule of events, or to register, please visit high- schoolfishing.org. Drake Reeves (left) and Trayton Gay finished runner-up on West Point Lake. Georgia State Championship Top 10 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Carter Ott (left) and Thomas Chastain with their state championship-winning limit. 96 10. Thomas Chastain and Carter Ott Gilmer Fishing Club – 15-5 Drake Reeves and Trayton Gay Troup High School – 14-15 Sam Holley and Jake Holley Jackson County High School Fishing Club – 14-9 Cal Culpepper and Mason Waddell Harris County High School – 14-0 Tanner Hadden and Cy Casey Greenbrier High School – 12-11 Lee Rose and Carter Koza Mount Paran Christian High School – 11-15 Karston Hopson and Cole Hopson Georgia HS Fishing – 10-14 Jacob Blumling and Coleman Johnson Greenbrier High School Bass Club – 10-7 Maddux Walters and Ryan Jackson North Forsyth High School – 10-3 Chris Carroll and Payton Caldwell Heard Country High School – 9-06 flWfIshIng.com I may-june 2018