New Mexico teens headed for Wyoming

Landon McKnight and Julian Sosa-Carver will be fishing in the Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Western Divisional Junior Bassmaster competition in May, thanks to their performance last fall.

NAVAJO LAKE, N.M. — Landon McKnight and Julian Sosa-Carver will be fishing in the Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Western Divisional Junior Bassmaster competition at the end of May, thanks to their performance last fall.

Both teens competed on New Mexico’s Navajo Lake, Sept. 17-18, 2011. Perch, the primary bass forage, had moved out into the 20- to 40-foot depth range, and the bass weren’t far behind.

“My primary water was 20 to 25 feet deep,” said Sosa-Carver, 14, a member of the Kids of the Southwest bass club. “I fished a small Senko on a drop shot rig 3 feet off the bottom. It wasn’t easy, but I did manage to catch 5.76 pounds, which was enough to win.”

This title is Sosa-Carver’s second consecutive win in the 11- to 14-year-olds state competition. “Two years in a row is a really awesome experience,” he said.

McKnight, 17, took top honors in the older age division with a bag that weighed 8.08 pounds. But, unlike his fellow angler in the younger age group, he fished his small Senko 18 inches behind a pegged weight.

“This is my first state championship, so I’m really excited about it,” said McKnight, a member of the Four Corners Junior Bassmasters. “It’s something I wanted to do when I went there to compete. I feel really good about it.”

Both anglers said they “can’t wait” for next month’s competition on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming, May 30 to June 1.