GADSDEN, Ala. — Austin Mize and Matthew Windham won the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation Junior Bassmaster Championship, Sept. 14, on Lake Neely Henry.
Mize won the 15- to 18-year-olds division with 8.16 pounds by fishing a D-Bomb in heavy vegetation.
Windham won the younger age group, 11- to 14-year-olds division, with 5.91 pounds. He used a Lucky Craft square bill crankbait on 15-pound-test line.
Volunteer boat captains took the youngsters out for the day of fishing.
“These volunteers provide their boats for the junior anglers and many travel significant distances to participate in these events,” said Ronnie McDonald, editor of Southern Fishing News. “One boat captain brought his boat more than 150 miles for the Junior Championship.
“These men and women sit under a baking sun during the hottest part of the day and can do nothing but watch the junior bass anglers fish,” contiuned McDonald. “The majority, if not all, of the boat captains did not know the contestants who were in their boat. These dedicated volunteers at state tournaments and local high school and other youth tournaments deserve a heavy dose of gratitude. Without them, there would not be any youth or junior competition.”
Mann’s Bait and Academy Sports provided gifts for Mize and Windham, and Alabama Power Co. gave them lifetime fishing licenses for the state of Alabama.
See photos of the event here.