DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Anglers ages 11 to 18 will take to Douglas Lake Friday, April 26, for a one-day competition, the 2013 Junior Bassmaster Southern Divisional, held in conjunction with the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional.
One competitor from each age group, ages 11 to 14 and 15 to 18, is sent by each state to the Southern Divisional. The young anglers fish with their counterpart from their state team, and each state appoints a boat captain to drive the competitors around the lake. The captain does not assist the contenders with their fishing.
Reid Carter, 16, and Ryan Parks, 15, will be representing their home state of Alabama in the competition. The pair won their state qualifier to be here, and this is the first divisional for both of them.
“I’m nervous but confident,” said Carter, who lives in Birmingham, Ala. “We have several spots picked out to fish, so hopefully they’ll work out.”
Carter’s grandparents are here to cheer him on, as is Parks’ grandfather. Each angler will fish for the top spot in his age group. The age division winners will advance to the 2013 Bassmaster Junior World Championship Oct. 26 in Arkansas, held in conjunction with the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
All the junior competitors launch after their adult counterparts launch, Friday at 6:30 a.m. ET at The Point Resort. They will weigh in on the same stage with the adults, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET. The weigh-in will be streamed live on Bassmaster.com.