Bass Fishing Oct 2018 | Page 74

TBF WHAT’S MAKINg NEWS IN THE BASS FEDERATION By Dan Johnson M C KINNEY, BAKER WIN 2018 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP T 72 get here. We covered a lot of water in practice and put rey McKinney and James Baker of the Illinois Junior together a plan that worked out in the end.” Bass Federation fished hard and smart to win top hon- That plan included tag-teaming shorelines, with one part- ors at the 2018 The Bass Federation Junior World ner throwing topwaters to the bank while the other combed Championship Aug. 9-11 on Arkansas’ Lake Hamilton out of deeper water with a drop-shot rig. Hot Springs. “On day two, we felt we could lock in our division with a On day one, McKinney and Baker led the Northern decent bag, so we saved our best banks,” adds Baker. “We Division and were in third place overall with a five-fish limit went searching and caught four fish in random spots that weighing 9 pounds. They held onto the divisional lead and were enough to make the finals.” moved into first place overall on day two with four fish for 6 pounds, 10 ounces and a 15-pound, 10- ounce two-day total. Only the teams that won their divi- sion moved on to day three. And with all weights zeroed for the finals, the pres- sure was on. McKinney and Baker responded with a 6-pound, 11-ounce limit for the victory. “The competition was very tough,” says McKinney, 13, of Goreville, Ill. “Bringing home the trophies was an accomplishment. I’d like to thank the Lord and my parents for their support in this event. I couldn’t have done it with- out them.” “This feels great,” adds Baker, 14, of Marion, Ill. “It was only our second tour- nament together. The first was when we Trey McKinney (left) and James Baker react to being named the 2018 JWC champions. won the Illinois State Championship to flWfIshIng.com I fall 2018