PARIS, Tenn. — The boats idling single file through the takeoff line on Kentucky Lake are a snapshot of what’s ahead for the B.A.S.S. High School Nation. The scene looks like a professional level event and that is the aim at the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by TNT Fireworks.
Just three years ago the program began as an idea to bridge the gap between youth and adult tournament participation, while fostering the conservation and community goals of B.A.S.S. membership. Academics are valued too, as reflected in the Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team.
The numbers prove the program is well on its way to success. At the second high school championship are 134 teams from 37 states. The two angler teams, including a coach, bring the total to 480 participants. Add families, sponsors and support staff and the attendance is nearly 1,000.
Ontario sent a team and other countries are interested in joining. Those include Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Australia B.A.S.S. Nation has inquired about qualifying teams next year for the championship. The B.A.S.S. High School Nation has 4,000 participants enrolled at 300 high schools, with the number already exceeding goals. Interest is so high that some school administrators are dealing with adding tournament bass fishing to existing activity and athletic programs.
“We are only scratching the surface of where we can go with this program,” said tournament manager Hank Weldon.
He should know. Weldon co-founded the bass fishing team at the University of Alabama as a student.
“I hear the same thing from the high school parents as I do from college students,” he added. “And that is we all wish this program existed during our high school years.”
B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart knows firsthand the growth potential of the program. His children once participated in team sports involving summertime travel.
“It reminds me of travel baseball in a good way,” he said. “The camaraderie between the parents and the kids helps build a desirable sense of community.”
Stewart pointed out the intensity and expectations of exceeding in travel sports like baseball and soccer aren’t the same with bass fishing.
“It’s still fishing and being outdoors,” he added. “Fun is the fundamental core of what we do.”
Reaching the championship isn’t easy. Teams must qualify through state high school and affiliated tournaments.
“Earning the right to be here by qualifying is only fair when B.A.S.S. puts its name on a championship event,” said Weldon.
This year teams had three ways to qualify. Those were by winning state championships, advancing through affiliated team tournament trails or qualifying through the Bassmaster High School Open series.
Last year’s high school championship on Kentucky Lake qualified 62 teams, about half the size of the current field competing this week. Meanwhile, the focus is on managing the program growth. Building membership is important, but the fundamental goal surpasses the numbers involved.
“One of the original founding goals of B.A.S.S. was building a community of bass fishermen, interested in sharing their skills, promoting conservation and just enjoying the simple camaraderie of enjoying an outdoor sport,” said Stewart. “With this program we are taking that another step by introducing the sport to all ages.”