Enthusiasm continues to build for the first Mississippi High School Fishing Championship.
Sponsored by the Student Angler Federation, the inaugural event is set for this weekend at Columbus Lake. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. today with registration and orientation at the Ramp Pavilion at Stennis East Bank Lock and Dam. A rules briefing will follow at 6 p.m. Fishing begins at the ramp at daylight Sunday, and culminates with a weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us,” Mississippi Bass Federation Youth Director Chris Morlok said. “A lot of planning has gone into this event. Hopefully, it can grow bigger and become an event that people look forward to each year.”
The competition is open to any Mississippi student in grades nine through 12. Each boat will include two students and an adult “coach.” Both boating students must be from the same high school.
More than 80 participants are expected for the event.
“We are excited about moving into Mississippi,” Bass Federation Regional Director Mark Gintert said. “We will have more than 20 states offering a competitive state championship event. The folks in Columbus have done a really great job of putting together a top-notch event.”
While the competition is designed for fun and fellowship, the event has its rewards, too.
The winning two-person team from each state championship will advance to a FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship, which will be held in the fall with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship on a college campus.
Each regional winner will advance to an overall national championship on a college campus in the spring of 2012.
All Angler Federation members and state championship participants also will qualify for the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals. The High School Fishing national champion will receive a $5,000 scholarship to the university of their choice.
“High School anglers are fortunate to have the Mississippi Bass Federation well established and eager to help with this event, which promises to be a great one,” Gintert said. “Our Student Angler Federation has a great start in Mississippi with several state students participating in our High School Fishing World Finals this year in Russellville, Ark. I”m sure they”re ready to show everyone in the state how far they”ve come as anglers.”
This event comes on the heels of the Mississippi TBF Bass Masters Pro Championship, which started Friday and continues today at Columbus Lake, Aliceville Lake and Aberdeen Lake.
“The opportunity to have these two events back-to-back is great for the sport,” Mississippi Bass Masters State Director David Flippo said. “The city of Columbus has gone to great lengths to provide a quality experience for all of the participants. The high school anglers will be able to fish in a great place Sunday afternoon.
“If the weather holds, this should be a strong start to what could become a great event.”
The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the event with The Bass Federation and FLW Outdoors.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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