THE BASS FEDERATION
IDEAS ARE KEYS TO TBF SUCCESS
Since its creation in 1968 , TBF has drastically grown in size , allowing the organization to continue to support bass fishing at a broader scope at the youth , high school and adult levels .
The 2022 meeting focused on tournament director workshops , discussions on possible future adjustments to TBF ’ s adult program , qualifying format and much more . Thorough discussion and votes were held on multiple items that will surely improve the already thriving federation . Creative new ideas were presented on possible improvements to the very popular TBF National Semi-finals , as well as other growth opportunities and sponsorship programs .
There was also a hearty , productive discussion about the continued success of state organizations that have consistently grown their memberships year-over-year . The other
state representatives were able to listen and learn from their peers , so they could take important learnings back to their respective state federations to continue to grow .
To keep that growth and improvement going , Cartlidge says all feedback from members is welcome .
“ What I would say to each and every TBF member is to get your feedback and ideas to your state leadership so they can bring it to these meetings ,” Cartlidge explains . “ Many of our success stories over the years started with an idea from a member or a state federation . Member feedback helps us to gauge where our membership wants to go , stay on top of new trends and member needs as well as head off issues before they get too big .”
If you ’ re interested in joining your local TBF affiliate , visit BassFederation . com for more information about how to get started .
2022 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONS MAKE TBF HISTORY ON KENTUCKY LAKE
The TBF Junior World Championship has been an annual tournament since 1994 and is the longest-running youth program TBF has to offer . Forty-six teams of anglers grade eight or younger descended on Kentucky Lake in late July to compete for the top spot as well as thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes .
Madison Robertshaw and Ryan Steinhoff of the Southern Colorado Junior Bass Club walked away with the win on Kentucky Lake after catching five bass for 12 pounds , 5 ounces on Championship Day , outlasting 12 other teams .
In doing so , Robertshaw and Steinhoff made TBF history : They were the first-ever co-ed team to win the Junior World Championship . Robertshaw and Steinhoff are also the second team from the state of Colorado to win the event , making Colorado the first state with two winning teams since 1994 ( Steinhoff also won with then-teammate Cody Miller in 2020 ).
Ryan Steinhoff
“ I think what this win for Madison and Ryan showed is that we ’ re the most inclusive fishing organization in the nation ,” Cartlidge says . “ We had a co-ed team win the High School National Championship this year . We have Madison and Ryan win the Junior World Championship as the first co-ed team ever to do that . We had the first-ever all-girl team win a
Madison Robertshaw
state championship in Louisiana this year as well . What it tells us is that the fish don ’ t know who ’ s on the other end of the line . Anyone who wants to fish in TBF can , and they can succeed at it .”
Robertshaw and Steinhoff started off with two bass for 4-2 on Day 1 , good enough to put them in ninth overall and first in the Western
92 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2022