The first event of the season is in the books and it had all the excitement you could hope for in a tournament.
In the Junior Division, the team of Tracen Phillips and Cade Grigsby of 863 Junior Anglers of Highlands County held on to the win with a weight of 3.74 lbs. They beat out their teammates, Jermiah Mulligan and Josh Morgan who had 1.79 lbs. Congratulations to both teams and the 863 Junior Anglers of Highlands County on the win. Also, thanks to the other junior teams that participated, which included Rhett Feagle and Andrew Bennett of Columbia High School and Drake Kendrick and Gavin Davis of Jr Bassmasters of Marion County. Unfortunately, I did not find any photos of these teams. If someone has any photos of these teams, please submit to flbassnation16@gmail.com or you can text to 407-455-3903.
In the High School Division, the weights were much closer and quite impressive on what was rumored to be a tough day on the water. Of the 51 high school teams that competed, 31 weighed-in fish but it was the teams of Hannah Adams and Walker Weeks of Lake Wales High School and Dalton Blakley and Turner Crews of Columbia High School that that found the mother load. Both teams had over 16 lbs of fish but Adams and Weeks pulled off the win with 16.85 lbs with just 4-fish. This included a 7.72 lb big fish that was not the big fish of the tournament. That was caught by Blakely and Crews, which was 8.30 lbs and part of the 2nd place sack that went 16.59 lbs. Congratulations to both teams on a great finish. Also, congratulations to the 3rd place team of Wyatt Thompson and Ashton Little of Marion County High School Bassmasters, who had an impressive 14.71 lbs.
Thanks again to all that participated and came out for the weigh-in. Also, a big thanks goes out to the team at Bass Pro Shops in Gainesville for partnering with the FBN and bringing the event to Orange and Lochloosa Lakes when we had to change the weigh-in location. A big thanks also goes out to the University of Florida Fishing Team for coming out and assisting with the weigh-in. You guys are awesome!
