Illinois High School Fishing State Championship Set For June 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ponca City, Okla. (March 19, 2011) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW Outdoors, announced it will be hosting the inaugural Student Angler Federation Illinois High School Fishing State Championship, June 4 at Rend Lake, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, at the Marcum South Boat Ramp. The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9 -12. Registration for high school anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in is online at HighSchoolFishing.org or by calling 580.765.9031. Check-in begins at 5pm on Friday, June 3 in the Community Building at Veterans Park, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  A mandatory rules briefing will follow at 7pm. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone well in advance to avoid late registration fees. Continue reading

Smith Wins Overall 2011 Southwest Division Championship

Lake Powell, UT – California Bass Federation’s Angler of the Year and State Champion of 2010, Cameron Smith will be headed back to the Federation National Championship in 2012 as a boater. Smith wins the overall 2011 Southwest Division Championship, presented by Lowrance at Lake Powell, Utah. Smith finishes the tournament with a 3 day total weight of 39 lbs 13 oz.

First thing today Smith went to his fishing partner’s spot, since he was a local angler. They caught alot of small fish, so he decided to run back up to an area near the launch site where he had seen several before. “I literally caught my last three keepers within an hour to go before weigh-in time. With only 2 minutes to go, I caught my biggest fish of the day. I culled up about a pound and a half, and that ended up being what I needed to win!” That choice ended up paying off big for him and earned him a trip back to the National Championship in 2012. “I have to thank all three of my partners I was paired up with this tournament. I felt like they weren’t competing against me and we were both fishing together.” Smith is also a Cabela’s Angler Cash Contingency angler registered with the TBF Cabela’s Angler Cash program, which earned him a $500 Cabela’s gift card. 

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Smith Takes Lead After Day 2 in Southwest Division Championship

5/5/11 Lake Powell, UT – The fish are rushing the banks at Lake Powell in Utah for the 2011 Southwest Division Championship, presented by Lowrance. Sun was out today and bass are all over the banks this afternooon looking for spawning sites and setting up nests. If tomorrow is another high sunny day with calm winds, site-fishing will rule.

Cameron Smith of Dana Point, Cal., California Bass Federation’s 2010 Angler of the Year and State Champion, takes the lead today with a 2-day total of 26lbs 6 oz. “I’ve been doing alot of site fishing on points that I marked in pre-fishing practice.” Smith is going to switch it up a little bit tomorrow, going up the river a little ways. If Cameron qualifies tomorrow for the National Championship, this will be his second appearance, his first being in 2010. Continue reading

AZ Angler Jeff Erickson Leads Day 1 of 2011 Southwest Division Championship

5/4/11 (Lake Powell, UT) – Jeff Erickson, of Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Federation) leads day one of the 2011 Southwest Division Championship, presented by Lowrance, on Lake Powell with 14 lbs 7 oz, a mere 7 oz lead over second place angler, California’s Cameron Smith, who has 14 lbs even.

In Federation Standings, Team Arizona is in 1st place with 106 lbs, a few ounce lead over host Federation Utah, who has 105-5.

Day 1 Overall Standings

Day 1 State Team Member Standings

Day 1 State Federation Standings