Hometown: Haughton, La.
Birthdate: 10/20/2006
Social Media: @carsenadcock43
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Haughton High School
Fishing Team: Haughton Fishing Team and Bossier Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 6
Top 20 Finishes: 12
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Hunting
Fishing Strengths: Using electronics and fishing both shallow and deep water
Fishing Weaknesses: Need to grow in the mental part of fishing, including positive mindset and decision-making
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing offshore structure or ledges with a big crankbait
Favorite Fishing Memory: Some of my favorite memories come from my hard work paying off in tournaments. When I get to spend quality time with the ones I love and all that work pays off — like winning this year’s Bassmaster High School event on the Red River — it creates something to remember forever
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because I’ve been following him and his fishing content on YouTube for a very long time. He was a big part of helping me develop my offshore game and being successful all around
Potential Area of Study: Nursing
Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
Birthdate: 5/7/2006
Social Media: @dbass_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Denmark High School
Fishing Team: Denmark High School Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 7
Extracurricular Activities: FCA, Giving back to young kids battling cancer and kids who are celebrating being cancer-free, High school leader for middle school boys at my church, Started my own pressure washing business, SuperCar Birthdays for Kids
Fishing Strengths: Offshore brush fishing, boat control, precision casting, bait selection and passion
Fishing Weaknesses: Overthinking, shallow-water fishing and lack of fishing experience
Preferred Fishing Technique: Offshore brush fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: When my father’s good friend, Adam Waller, took me fishing for the first time on my 14th birthday
Most Admired Angler: Scott Martin because he follows Jesus, is knowledgeable and provides great detail on his technique
Potential Area of Study: Business, Finance
Hometown: Huntington, Texas
Birthdate: 4/29/2006
Social Media: @bass_caden247
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Huntington High School
Fishing Team: Huntington High School Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 5
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Flipping, pitching, frogging and finesse fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Finding schools of fish out deep
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping up shallow
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB 9.9-pound largemouth bass with Denny Brauer
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because of his skill, professionalism and commitment to his sport. He is known for his respect toward fellow competitors and commitment to abiding by the rules. Brandon is also a strong advocate for fish conservation and sustainable fishing practices
Potential Area of Study: Agriculture, Game Warden, Law Enforcement
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Birthdate: 2/23/2006
Social Media: @trentallenfishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: George Jenkins High School
Fishing Team: George Jenkins High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Church
Fishing Strengths: Flipping, fishing grasslines and shellbar fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Not fishing a spot slow enough
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing shellbars and offshore brushpiles
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching an 8-pound, 12-ounce fish finesse fishing using light tackle; finishing 13th at the Bassmaster High School National Championship this year
Most Admired Angler: Christian Greico because I’ve learned many things from him and his YouTube channel
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Jefferson, Iowa
Birthdate: 5/18/2006
Social Media: @kolbyangellfishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Greene County High School
Fishing Team: N/A
Tournament Wins: 6
Top 5 Finishes: 13
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Participated in monthly educational events with the IYFL for the past three years, Worked with the Iowa DNR to build fish structures that were dropped in a local lake
Fishing Strengths: Offshore fishing and adapting on the fly with changing conditions
Fishing Weaknesses: Spending too much time at one location that may not be producing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my tournament PB largemouth that weighed 5.52 pounds
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because of how versatile he is and how easily he can adapt and overcome changing conditions
Potential Area of Study: Wildlife Management
Hometown: Napoleonville, La.
Birthdate: 5/13/2006
Social Media: @dj_aucoin11
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Assumption High School
Fishing Team: Assumption High Bass Club
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 3
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Tackle organization
Preferred Fishing Technique: Punching, frogging and ledge fishing with LiveScope
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB on Toledo Bend
Most Admired Angler: Cliff Crochet because he does a lot for the Assumption High Bass Club
Potential Area of Study: Medicine
Hometown: Breaux Bridge, La.
Birthdate: 2/17/2007
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Teurlings Catholic High School
Fishing Team: Teurlings Catholic Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: Wrestling (state runner-up freshman & sophomore year)
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing shallow
Fishing Weaknesses: Finesse fishing and fishing deep water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a frog, ChatterBait and topwater
Favorite Fishing Memory: The 10.39-pound fish I caught in Caney
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because he’s the most versatile angler in the world
Potential Area of Study: Sports Medicine
Hometown: Kingston, Tenn.
Birthdate: 4/7/2007
Social Media: @haydenbarnett06
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Roane County High School
Fishing Team: Kingston Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 7
Top 5 Finishes: 9
Top 20 Finishes: 16
Extracurricular Activities: Adopt-an-Access TWRA Kingston Steam Plant Boat Ramp (Watts Bar), Habitat Project and Lake Cleanup (Douglas Lake), Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks & Recreation Commission Duck Pond Derby
Fishing Strengths: Versatility
Fishing Weaknesses: Trying to force things too much
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing deep
Favorite Fishing Memory: Participating in the Jacob Wheeler Tournament
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk
Potential Area of Study: Business Management, Marketing
Hometown: Anniston, Ala.
Birthdate: 2/3/2006
Social Media: @hunterbecke,
@hunter_becke_faithfishingteam
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Faith Christian School
Fishing Team: Faith Christian School Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Faith Christian School Bass Fishing Team, FCS Beta Club, Soccer
Fishing Strengths: Casting, baiting and fishing shallows and docks
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing deep water and knowing fish behavioral patterns
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping grass
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a tarpon in Florida and winning a Lake Guntersville tournament in 2020
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk
Potential Area of Study: Marine Biology, Marketing
Hometown: Lisbon, N.Y.
Birthdate: 2/10/2006
Social Media: @connorbell_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Lisbon Central School
Fishing Team: N/A
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 12
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Altar Server, Basketball, Eagle Scout, Lisbon High School Trapshooting Team, NHS, National Technical Honor Society
Fishing Strengths: Covering water, finding fish and the ability to slow down and further break down key areas to create a pattern and identify how to replicate it in other areas of the water
Fishing Weaknesses: Flipping and punching heavy weed mats
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power finesse fishing, slow rolling hair jigs and spybaits and flipping little finesse jigs on banks and rocks
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a heavy 4-pounder within the last hour of a Federation tournament, which pushed me over 23 pounds and gave me the win in the boater division against a strong field of veteran anglers
Most Admired Angler: Seth Feider because we have comparable fishing styles. I also admire his attitude and ability to just put his head down and go fishing on the days it gets tough
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Winter Springs, Fla.
Birthdate: 11/2/2006
Social Media: @nathan_bennett2006
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Oviedo High School
Fishing Team: Seminole Junior Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 1
Extracurricular Activities: Hunting, Saltwater Fishing/Diving/Spear Fishing/Lobstering, Volunteering at lake cleanups, Volunteering at local wilderness camp
Fishing Strengths: Fishing banks and being patient
Fishing Weaknesses: Locating offshore shellbars and structure
Preferred Fishing Technique: Dragging a weighted Speed Worm through grasslines
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing the B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship and catching a 6.02-pound fish and ending with a total bag of 19.26 pounds while fishing solo
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell because he is always having a good time while fishing and is passionate about the sport
Potential Area of Study: Engineering, Environmental Science
Hometown: Washington, Ga.
Birthdate: 11/15/2006
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Briarwood Academy
Fishing Team: Capital City High School Bass Hunters
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing and fishing in grass
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep-water fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning this year’s Bassmaster High School Series tournament at Chickamauga Lake
Most Admired Angler: Drew Cook because he is professional, down-to-earth and fishes the style I like to fish
Potential Area of Study: Trade School
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Birthdate: 4/21/2006
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: University View Academy
Fishing Team: East Baton Rouge BassMasters
Tournament Wins: 5
Top 5 Finishes: 3
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Working a part-time job
Fishing Strengths: Flipping
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing deep, clear lakes
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing jerkbaits and flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: One day, I had four fish and it was minutes before we had to leave. I didn’t give up and caught my limit with minutes to spare
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk
Potential Area of Study: Business, Finance
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Birthdate: 11/11/2005
Social Media: @waylon.burton
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: George Jenkins High School
Fishing Team: 863 Anglers
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 17
Top 20 Finishes: 68
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Offshore fishing and flipping
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing slow and finesse fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Offshore fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: It was raining on my home lake, they started schooling and I caught over 40 fish in two hours, all of them between 3 to 8 pounds
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell and Ben Milliken because both are outstanding fishermen and funny. Milliken is an awesome offshore fisherman, and Connell is amazing at schools and finding fish
Potential Area of Study: Business, Finance
Hometown: Enoree, S.C.
Birthdate: 11/6/2006
Social Media: @nate_campbell_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Laurens District 55 High School
Fishing Team: LDHS Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 4
Top 20 Finishes: 7
Extracurricular Activities: FFA, Fishing Team
Fishing Strengths: Shallow or bed fishing and jig fishing deep banks
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Anything shallow
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching 16 pounds in the Lake Lanier Classic or winning 2022 LDHS Angler of the Year
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because he is very knowledgeable. Gerald Swindle because he is funny. Scott Martin because he fishes like me
Potential Area of Study: DNR Officer
Hometown: Valley, Ala.
Birthdate: 3/3/2006
Social Media: @braylon_carden
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Beulah High School
Fishing Team: Beulah High Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing pot tournaments
Fishing Strengths: Fishing shallow grass and docks
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing deep
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing grass, docks and brushpiles
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning my first tournament
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because I like the way he fishes
Potential Area of Study: Diesel Mechanics
Hometown: Tifton, Ga.
Birthdate: 6/19/2007
Social Media: @logancargle_19
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Tift County High School
Fishing Team: Tift County High School Blue Devil Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Employee at Volume Power Sports, Tift County FFA Forestry Team, Tift County FFA Welding Team
Fishing Strengths: Looking on maps and Navionics to find productive fishing spots, staying focused, finesse fishing and using electronics (LiveScope) to pattern fish
Fishing Weaknesses: Being able to consistently find big bass
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 7-pound, 8-ounce bass at my first high school bass competition!
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because he never quits, wins consistently, thinks about his fans and gets involved with younger, up-and-coming anglers through the Wheeler Foundation
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Dover, Fla.
Birthdate: 12/24/2005
Social Media: @cawcawhooking
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Durant Senior High
Fishing Team: Central Florida Youth Anglers, Caw Caw Hooking
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 7
Extracurricular Activities: FFA, Participating in community cleanups of lakes and parks in my county
Fishing Strengths: Determination and perseverance … I will never stop grinding until I figure out something that works
Fishing Weaknesses: Second-guessing myself
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Going fishing for my birthday on Dec. 24 with my dad and best friend when it was 32 degrees and absolutely freezing and still catching fish while our rod eyes had ice on them. Even though we were freezing, the fish were biting and we were laughing, and we still talk about how fun that day was
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell because no matter what he keeps a positive attitude and lets the past go
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing, Videography
Hometown: Kenefic, Okla.
Birthdate: 5/21/2006
Social Media: @dayla.connors21
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Silo High School
Fishing Team: Silo High School Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: FFA
Fishing Strengths: Fishing rock points with a Texas rig, fishing brushpiles with jigs and flipping docks
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing with a jerkbait
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a jig and wacky worm
Favorite Fishing Memory: I was fishing a rock point on Lake Texoma using a swimbait when I caught a 5.7-pound smallmouth bass
Most Admired Angler: Edwin Evers because he explains what he is doing and why. He is very knowledgeable, and I have learned a lot by watching his videos
Potential Area of Study: Marine Biology
Hometown: Yulee, Fla.
Birthdate: 1/30/2007
Social Media: @jhook_nhunt, @joeycotromano
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Yulee High School
Fishing Team: Nassau Christian Bass Club
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: Florida B.A.S.S. Nation
Fishing Strengths: Tackle knowledge and flipping
Fishing Weaknesses: Offshore fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Shallow-water fishing and flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Sight fishing at a state tournament and landing two big fish back-to-back
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell because he’s a good, all-around fisherman
Potential Area of Study: Biology, Environmental Science
Hometown: Highfill, Ark.
Birthdate: 10/9/2005
Social Media: @collier_declerk
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Bentonville West High School
Fishing Team: Arkansas Youth Anglers Trail
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 5
Top 20 Finishes: 9
Extracurricular Activities: All Student Body President and Student Council Representative, Basketball, Co-President/Founder of BWHS Bass Fishing Club, DECA, FCA Leader, Football, NHS Vice President, Philanthropy Committee, Track & Field, West Leadership Organization, Wind Ensemble Band, Young Men’s Service League
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing, and I am comfortable with almost any lure or technique
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing offshore and using technology to find fish
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a weightless, Texas-rigged Fluke
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning our trail tournament at Beaver Lake. Going into it, we had no plan and little confidence, but we managed to play the conditions and get the right bites to win
Most Admired Angler: Mike Iaconelli because of his extreme passion for the sport and desire to help spread that passion to those who don’t always have the same opportunities to get out and fish every day
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Zeeland, Mich.
Birthdate: 5/19/2006
Social Media: @addicted2bassin
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Zeeland West High School
Fishing Team: Zeeland Fishhawx
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 7
Top 20 Finishes: 13
Extracurricular Activities: Archery
Fishing Strengths: Breaking down a new body of water and time management
Fishing Weaknesses: New to advanced electronics
Preferred Fishing Technique: Frogging and fishing jerkbaits and drop shots/Ned rigs
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my first big bag of smallmouth on Lake St. Clair
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because he always has a positive outlook and a great sense of humor on the water
Potential Area of Study: Undecided
Hometown: Lake City, Iowa
Birthdate: 12/4/2006
Social Media: @kaden.dorman
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: South Central Calhoun High School
Fishing Team: Iowa Youth Fishing League
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 7
Top 20 Finishes: 1
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Football, Golf, Student Council, Track, Wrestling
Fishing Strengths: Being able to fish in the moment, using my electronics to locate fish offshore and cycling through baits to try and catch them.
Fishing Weaknesses: Trying to fix what’s not broken or get bites from fish on a given technique but not getting the quality I want. I tend to do something way different or leave fish to find fish
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping docks
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my biggest bag ever, winning my first tournament and catching my PB musky all in the same day
Most Admired Angler: Ben Milliken because he has a wide variety of baits in his arsenal, is very good at using his electronics, catches big fish, and he is originally from a town that is 2 1/2 hours from my house
Potential Area of Study: Engineering
Hometown: Chesterfield, Mich.
Birthdate: 3/10/2006
Social Media: @tackleboxjoey
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: New Haven High School
Fishing Team: J&A Bass
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 7
Top 20 Finishes: 14
Extracurricular Activities: Academics, Eagle Scout, Varsity letters in 11 sports (including Bowling, Fishing, Soccer, Trapshooting and Track)
Fishing Strengths: Running the boat (i.e., graphs, trolling and position) and fishing drop shots, Ned rigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits
Fishing Weaknesses: Frogging
Preferred Fishing Technique: Frogging and fishing drop shots, Ned rigs and crankbaits
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing with my grandpa for bluegill
Most Admired Angler: Seth Feider and Jason Christie because they are great competitors and sportsmen
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Opp, Ala.
Birthdate: 6/15/2007
Social Media: @bee_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Opp High School
Fishing Team: Opp Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: Student Angler (three years)
Fishing Strengths: Ability to think ahead and adapt, knot tying, trolling motor skills and graph usage
Fishing Weaknesses: Confidence in decision-making and getting focused in on using only one lure
Preferred Fishing Technique: Punching
Favorite Fishing Memory: The time spent on the water with my dad learning from him and improving my skills
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because of his positive attitude and approach to not only fishing, but life too
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Covington, La.
Birthdate: 8/18/2005
Social Media: @parkeremeryfishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: St. Paul’s Catholic School
Fishing Team: Northshore Bassmasters
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Football, Mu Alpha Theta, NHS, Wolves for Tutoring (club tutoring underprivileged kids at the local YMCA)
Fishing Strengths: Being able to pick apart cover and catch fish that many are not able to catch
Fishing Weaknesses: Keeping my head in the game and not getting spun out, as well as the business side of the sport (sponsors, social media, etc.), which keeps getting more important
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse techniques, light cranking and LiveScoping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB in a tournament and hugging my dad, holding the fish crying
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because he’s an all-around great guy, one of the most consistent anglers over the years, a great teacher, and he’s a funny guy who runs great social media accounts
Potential Area of Study: Business, Economics, Fisheries Biology, Marine Biology, Marketing
Hometown: Bristol, Fla.
Birthdate: 12/1/2005
Social Media: @ridges_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Liberty County High School
Fishing Team: Liberty County Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 15
Extracurricular Activities: FFA, Senior Beta Club, Usher at Telogia Baptist Church
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: None
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 10-pound bass
Most Admired Angler: My dad because he has given me a lot of knowledge about the sport and how to read the water
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Crawfordville, Fla.
Birthdate: 5/23/2007
Social Media: @carson_is_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Wakulla High School
Fishing Team: Capital City Bass Hunters
Tournament Wins: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 16
Extracurricular Activities: Tae Kwon Do (third-degree black belt)
Fishing Strengths: Being able to adapt
Fishing Weaknesses: Offshore fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse and grass fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Finishing seventh at the 2020-21 High School National Championship as an eighth grader. Winning the Bassmaster High School tournament on Chickamauga Lake this year
Most Admired Angler: Drew Cook because he’s from my hometown, and I’ve learned to fish on the same local lakes. He’s a great role model
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Birthdate: 4/21/2007
Social Media: @nolansfishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Cumberland Valley High School
Fishing Team: Rich Valley Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 7
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Capital City Bassmasters Trout Pond Volunteer, C.A.S.T. for Kids Volunteer, Cumberland Perry Area VoTech Institute Day Camp Volunteer for Automotive Technology, Randi’s House of Angels, Rich Valley Golf (part-time job)
Fishing Strengths: Driving the boat, versatility, learning on the fly and openness to criticism
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing too fast, being stubborn about bait and staying in a spot too long
Preferred Fishing Technique: Drop shotting
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing with my mother in a lunker tournament last year. She could not get to the net fast enough to help me bring in a 5-pounder, and I lost the fish. We sat there for at least 30 minutes bickering back and forth in the middle of the marshy area
Most Admired Angler: Taku Ito because he’s very versatile and never gives up. He never saw a smallmouth before moving to America but still won a tournament
Potential Area of Study: Business Administration, Marine Mechanics
Hometown: Montgomery, Ala.
Birthdate: 11/26/2005
Social Media: @hayes_finch_
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Alabama Christian Academy
Fishing Team: Alabama Christian Academy Eagles
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 8
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Cross Country, Fishing, Football, Golf, Track
Fishing Strengths: Versatility, fishing both shallow and deep water and using electronics
Fishing Weaknesses: Extremely muddy water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping and pitching
Favorite Fishing Memory: Qualifying for the National Championship and winning the state championship for back-to-back years
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because he’s relaxed and always makes it fun. Brandon Palaniuk because he finds a way to be consistent everywhere. Greg Hackney because he is successful everywhere
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Watertown, S.D.
Birthdate: 6/27/2006
Social Media: @maxflatten_fishing06
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Watertown High School
Fishing Team: Glacial Lakes High School
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing Team
Fishing Strengths: Offshore and grass fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing rivers
Preferred Fishing Technique: Any type of LiveScoping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning the South Dakota high school state championship
Most Admired Angler: Aaron Martens because he was a great role model, a great Christian, always put other people first and was known as being one of the greatest anglers ever along with being an even better role model
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Maiden, N.C.
Birthdate: 3/5/2006
Social Media: @jonlukefoster_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Bandys High School
Fishing Team: Bandys Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 5
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Football, National Art Honor Society, Pep Club, Varsity Green Service Club
Fishing Strengths: Skipping a jig and bed fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing in deep water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Throwing a jig and big shaky head, spinnerbait, ChatterBait or topwater
Favorite Fishing Memory: This year when the shad spawn was happening on Lake Norman and we caught some of my biggest bags of fish during back-to-back nights, including catching 18 pounds by myself and a 6-pound Lake Norman giant. The next night, my dad and I caught 19-12 in a tournament
Most Admired Angler: Bryan Thrift because of his ability to fish fast and cover water
Potential Area of Study: Carpentry, Electrical, Wildlife or Forestry Management
Hometown: Central, La.
Birthdate: 5/18/2005
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Central High School
Fishing Team: Central High Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 6
Top 20 Finishes: 1
Extracurricular Activities: Volunteer for a special-needs baseball league
Fishing Strengths: Fishing shallow with lots of structure
Fishing Weaknesses: Patience
Preferred Fishing Technique: Shallow power fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: There are several, but all of them are centered around being on the boat with my grandfather and/or Mr. Johnathan (other captain). There is nothing else like being out there together and making memories that are going to be with me for a lifetime
Most Admired Angler: Kevin VanDam because I can relate to his style of fast and aggressive fishing and because of his mastery of various techniques and lures
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Lucedale, Miss.
Birthdate: 3/27/2006
Social Media: @eli_french243
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Homeschool Vision
Fishing Team: George County Rebel Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 3
Top 20 Finishes: 11
Extracurricular Activities: Bass Tactix Fishing Outreach, Beau Jack Kennel, Caswell Springs Methodist (Church Choir, Praise Band Leader, Puppet Team), 4-H Archery, 4-H Shotgun, Full Life AOG Fine Arts Team, Full Life AOG Youth Leader, Guitar, Hunting, Magnolia Bassmasters, National Society of High School Scholars
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing and fishing tidal fisheries, shallow and deep ledges and boat docks
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep and crankbait fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing spinnerbaits around trees and other structure
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 4.5-pound bass in the Bass Tactix National Championship while being filmed by the Mississippi Outdoors TV program
Most Admired Angler: Jason Christie because he is always able to adjust to different fishing conditions. He remains calm regardless of his position in a tournament
Potential Area of Study: Marketing
Hometown: North Charleston, S.C.
Birthdate: 2/8/2006
Social Media: @michaelgammons1
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Cathedral Academy
Fishing Team: SC Hawg Hunters
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 7
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing, Gigging, Golf, Hunting
Fishing Strengths: Breaking down different bodies of water to successfully pattern fish during various seasons, commitment to spending adequate time on the water to be successful and proficiency with a wide variety of baits and techniques
Fishing Weaknesses: Lack of experience in smallmouth bass fisheries
Preferred Fishing Technique: Throwing a jig and frog on cypress trees and using electronics to catch fish off of points
Favorite Fishing Memory: One of my favorite fishing memories was catching an 8-pounder and a 9-pounder on the same day when it was only 40 degrees outside
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because he is very driven and knows his electronics like the back of his hand. I love how he has a plan for a lot of his tournaments and isn’t afraid to switch it up
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Ashville, Ala.
Birthdate: 5/14/2006
Social Media: @wgriff_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Ashville High School
Fishing Team: Ashville High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Alabama Boys State, Basketball, Beta Club, Cross Country, Mu Alpha Theta, NHS, Soccer (All-Area x3, All-County x3, All-State Honorable Mention, Defensive MVP, School record for most saves and 2023 Team Captain)
Fishing Strengths: Fishing for largemouth in shallow water and versatility
Fishing Weaknesses: Finding a reliable offshore bite
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping grass and punching
Favorite Fishing Memory: When I fished solo at a young age against adults and locals and came in second overall with the tournament’s big fish
Most Admired Angler: Joey Nania because he is from my hometown and has worked incredibly hard. Joey has kept God first and given all the glory to him, and that is what I want to do
Potential Area of Study: Poultry Science
Hometown: Scotland, Ark.
Birthdate: 5/9/2006
Social Media: @elyhunterhagans
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Clinton High School
Fishing Team: South Side Bee Branch Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 4
Top 20 Finishes: 10
Extracurricular Activities: FFA, Shooting Team, Volunteer at elementary school fishing derby
Fishing Strengths: Sight fishing and fishing shallow with buzzbait or frog
Fishing Weaknesses: Ledge fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Throwing a topwater around heavy cover and throwing big crankbaits, flutter spoons and drop shots in brushpiles and other offshore structure
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing with Joey Cifuentes III on Greers Ferry Lake when I was about 12 or 13. Joey told me to pick up a crankbait, and I caught my biggest fish on a lake at the time. Joey taught me all kinds of cool tricks and gave me a rod, reel and baits. I caught most of my fish on that rod at our state championship
Most Admired Angler: Joey Cifuentes III because he is very knowledgeable and has a heart of gold. Joey has been my mentor along with Larry Nixon since I have started high school fishing
Potential Area of Study: Business, Fisheries/Wildlife Biology
Hometown: Winter Haven, Fla.
Birthdate: 3/11/2007
Social Media: @tannerhamiltonn
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School
Fishing Team: Mid-Florida Youth Anglers
Tournament Wins: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing, Hunting
Fishing Strengths: Reading my graphs and being versatile when the bite gets tough
Fishing Weaknesses: Punching
Preferred Fishing Technique: Offshore fishing (brush, shell, rock, etc.)
Favorite Fishing Memory: The playing of the national anthem at my first-ever tournament before blastoff
Most Admired Angler: Andrew Ready because he took me under his wing and really taught me the game of offshore fishing
Potential Area of Study: Digital Media
Hometown: Alexander City, Ala.
Birthdate: 4/28/2006
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Horseshoe Bend High School
Fishing Team: HBHS Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 10
Extracurricular Activities: OGS Moonlight Series
Fishing Strengths: Deep-water Carolina rigging, fishing a shaky head and drop shot fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Ledge fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing for deep, clear-water spotted bass on points, humps and brushpiles
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing Lay Lake and catching schooled-up spotted bass on a flat
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell because he grew up near my hometown and was able to start his fishing career with very little wealth. I admire how he kept pushing to pursue his dream of fishing professionally
Potential Area of Study: Business, Welding
Hometown: Erwinville, La.
Birthdate: 2/23/2006
Social Media: @connorhhebert
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Catholic High School
Fishing Team: Catholic High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Fishing shallow water
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing deep water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Punching grass or fishing a frog
Favorite Fishing Memory: My favorite memory is when I caught an 8-pounder
Most Admired Angler: Keith Poche because I fish a lot like him
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Topeka, Kan.
Birthdate: 12/27/2006
Social Media: @triplehookedllc
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Jefferson West High School
Fishing Team: Capital City High School Bass Club
Tournament Wins: 10
Top 5 Finishes: 15
Top 20 Finishes: 9
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Track
Fishing Strengths: Fishing in shallow water and using a baitcaster and spinning rod and light line
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing offshore
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing in shallow water
Favorite Fishing Memory: At the 2020 Bassmaster Junior National Championship I caught my PB largemouth in practice and got big bass of the event
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because he is good at catching bass wherever he goes and is very consistent
Potential Area of Study: Architectural Design, Environmental Engineering, Marine Biology
Hometown: Topeka, Kan.
Birthdate: 12/27/2006
Social Media: @triplehookedllc
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Jefferson West High School
Fishing Team: Capital City High School Bass Club
Tournament Wins: 10
Top 5 Finishes: 15
Top 20 Finishes: 9
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Track
Fishing Strengths: Fishing shallow with a Ned rig, crankbait, Texas rig and topwater
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing offshore and being too stubborn while fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing in shallow water and fishing a crankbait or topwater shallow
Favorite Fishing Memory: When I caught my PB smallmouth, which weighed 6.02 pounds
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Lester because he is very consistent, able to stay calm under pressure and is able to catch fish everywhere he goes
Potential Area of Study: Biology, Environmental Science
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Birthdate: 10/17/2006
Social Media: @max_himmel17
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Catholic High School of Baton Rouge
Fishing Team: Catholic High School
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 5
Extracurricular Activities: Lacrosse, Power Lifting Team, Texas Outdoor Fishing Camp, Wrestling
Fishing Strengths: Spinning, throwing frogs, flipping, fishing deep-water lakes and mapping/breaking down a new piece of water
Fishing Weaknesses: Skipping and spinnerbait fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: We began our journey on Table Rock in Missouri where we fished for a week and caught 94 fish! After Table Rock, we traveled to Saginaw Bay and fished for two weeks. This tournament was our last opportunity to qualify for Nationals, which we did by finishing ninth
Most Admired Angler: My first captain/coach, Chris Capdeboscq. Although Chris is only in his early 20s, he is an excellent role model, willing to share his expansive knowledge about fishing and mentor me
Potential Area of Study: Pre-Med
Hometown: Louisville, Tenn.
Birthdate: 12/15/2006
Social Media: @carsonholbertfishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Eagleton College and Career Academy
Fishing Team: Eagleton College and Career Academy Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 11
Top 20 Finishes: 20
Extracurricular Activities: Adopt-an-Access Program Organizer, Basketball, ECCA Criminal Justice Academy, Envirothon Academic Team, Take A Veteran Fishing Day Organizer
Fishing Strengths: Ledge, finesse and topwater fishing and using electronics
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing matted grass and fishing with big spoons and swimbaits
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning my first major tournament on Nickajack Lake. We did something different from the other teams and it paid off
Most Admired Angler: Chad Morgenthaler because I have a personal relationship with him, and he has taught me so much. Jacob Wheeler because he’s a hard worker, very good with his electronics and a great person. Clay Dyer because he is the epitome of perseverance. Ott DeFoe because he is kind and an absolute professional both on and off the water
Potential Area of Study: Wildlife Fisheries
Hometown: Pace, Fla.
Birthdate: 9/30/2005
Social Media: @maxhondorpfishing05
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Pace High School
Fishing Team: Panhandle Youth Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 11
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Fishing shallow
Fishing Weaknesses: Northern smallmouth fisheries
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing shallow water with a frog or swim jig
Favorite Fishing Memory: Getting third place at the Bassmaster High School Series event on the Red River earlier this year. My brother and I qualified for Nationals after, but I wasn’t able to compete all year due to a broken arm
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because of all he accomplished at a young age
Potential Area of Study: Business, Finance
Hometown: Zachary, La.
Birthdate: 6/6/2007
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 10th Grade
High School: Catholic High School
Fishing Team: Catholic High Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Flipping, rigging baits, running a trolling motor, reading the water and knot tying
Fishing Weaknesses: Skipping and fishing deep water
Preferred Fishing Technique: I like to throw Texas rigs and flip hardwoods
Favorite Fishing Memory: When I was fishing with my dad and caught my PB — 7 pounds — on an A-Rig at Toledo Bend
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because he’s a great guy who talks about God and loves having fun. He follows the rules even when people are not watching
Potential Area of Study: Engineering
Hometown: Morris, Ala.
Birthdate: 2/26/2007
Social Media: @lukehurstfishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Mortimer Jordan High School
Fishing Team: Mortimer Jordan High School
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 4
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: Agriscience, Church Student/Youth Group Lead Team, First Priority Lead Team, Randy Howell King’s Home Hope Festival Volunteer, Working part-time at Chick-fil-A
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Knowing the intricacies of boat body wiring and using electronics
Preferred Fishing Technique: Topwater or any sort of power fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Landing a 22.5-pound bag at a Lake Guntersville tournament — it was the biggest bag of my team’s career!
Most Admired Angler: Andrew Nordbye because he fishes similar bodies of water in the same geographical region as me. He is a Christian and supports the High School NSR fishing program
Potential Area of Study: Health Careers
(undecided)
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Birthdate: 12/27/2006
Social Media: @fly.johnson3
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Lakeland Senior High School
Fishing Team: Lakeland High School Fishing Club
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Fishing, Football, Motocross, Waterskiing
Fishing Strengths: Finding offshore fish, using LiveScope and flipping heavy vegetation
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing ChatterBaits and crankbaits
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching two 4-pound spots in one cast on Lay Lake to qualify for the National Championship. Doing this in the last 30 minutes with no partner and just my dad in the boat made it even more special
Most Admired Angler: My dad because he got me on the water at a young age and has supported me through the years
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Clyde, N.C.
Birthdate: 9/19/2006
Social Media: @bridger84
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Tuscola High School
Fishing Team: Haywood Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Haywood Anglers, Sportsman Club
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing, skipping, fishing brushpiles and fishing a wacky rig
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing a jig and Ned rig
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing shallow, topwater fishing or fishing brushpiles with a drop shot
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB and spending time with my Pappaw, JR
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because he has a unique fishing style and is efficient. Kyle Welcher because we use similar fishing techniques, plus he’s passionate and willing to share tricks of the trade
Potential Area of Study: Undecided
Hometown: Boerne, Texas
Birthdate: 10/28/2005
Social Media: @ck_fishing_05
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Boerne Champion High School
Fishing Team: Bass Club of Champions
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 7
Top 20 Finishes: 12
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing
Fishing Strengths: Grass fishing, fishing shallow timber with rocks and fishing points
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep cranking and ledge fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Punching deep grass and fishing big, topwater walking baits
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 10.26-pounder in a tournament
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because of how versatile he is
Potential Area of Study: Ag Business, Construction Science
Hometown: Gallatin, Tenn.
Birthdate: 8/11/2005
Social Media: @country_zach_
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Gallatin High School
Fishing Team: Gallatin High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 5
Top 20 Finishes: 20
Extracurricular Activities: Hunting, TN B.A.S.S. Nation Community/Conservation/Habitat events, TWRA Fishing 101 events, Volunteering
Fishing Strengths: Adapting to various fisheries, elements and conditions
Fishing Weaknesses: Overthinking
Preferred Fishing Technique: I like to learn and practice new techniques every time I am on the water
Favorite Fishing Memory: During a TWRA Fishing 101 event I helped a lady catch her first fish, which was a catfish. The joy and excitement on her face was priceless. It was an honor to be a part of it
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because he’s straightforward, and his confidence and positive outlook are inspiring
Potential Area of Study: Business, Welding
Hometown: Mercer, Pa.
Birthdate: 2/26/2007
Social Media: @89matt_
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Mercer Area Middle/High School
Fishing Team: Knopp/Graham
Tournament Wins: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: Soccer, Track, Wrestling
Fishing Strengths: Skipping, flipping, pitching, fishing docks, fishing grass and LiveScoping
Fishing Weaknesses: Tidal fisheries
Preferred Fishing Technique: Skipping docks
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 7-pound, 14-ounce largemouth in Pennsylvania from my kayak
Most Admired Angler: Scott Martin because of his knowledge and understanding of the sport and his ability to be consistent
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Myakka City, Fla.
Birthdate: 4/12/2006
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Parrish Community High School
Fishing Team: Highlands County Anglers
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 3
Top 20 Finishes: 8
Extracurricular Activities: Football, Wrestling
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing, covering a lot of water, rolling a ChatterBait and flipping
Fishing Weaknesses: Moving to too many spots when the fish are not biting
Preferred Fishing Technique: Slow rolling a ChatterBait
Favorite Fishing Memory: My first fishing tournament on Lake Istokpoga with my dad when I was 8 years old
Most Admired Angler: Christian Greico because he worked his way up into the pro levels and won $100,000 on the Harris Chain of Lakes
Potential Area of Study: Firefighter, Paramedic
Hometown: Wetumpka, Ala.
Birthdate: 5/30/2006
Social Media: @ _jtlamberth_
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Alabama Christian Academy
Fishing Team: Alabama Christian Academy Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 16
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing (drop shot, shaky head) and power fishing (jig, Texas rig, flipping)
Fishing Weaknesses: Vertical fishing and fishing grass lakes
Preferred Fishing Technique: Topwater fishing, cranking and skipping a jig
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing with my grandpa and dad on Lake Martin when I was young. I enjoyed listening to them tell stories while we were catching, cooking and camping out
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because he comes from the-middle-of-nowhere Idaho, and the drive he had to get to the Elites and the stuff he sacrificed … it’s really inspirational
Potential Area of Study: Agriculture, Conservation, Freshwater Fisheries, Wildlife Management
Hometown: Lebanon, Tenn.
Birthdate: 7/20/2006
Social Media: @lannom_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Mt. Juliet High School
Fishing Team: Mt. Juliet Fishing
Tournament Wins: 5
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 17
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: My mental game
Fishing Weaknesses: Shallow-water springtime fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Throwing topwaters and fast-moving baits like crankbaits and using electronics to find deeper fish
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning the state championship this year with my dad and best bud … all while camping with my family and girlfriend, Lainie
Most Admired Angler: Carl Jocumsen because I love his attitude and motto, “Fear My Heart.” Brandon Palaniuk because I love to watch him fish and his videos. He mashes up a lot of different types of fishing
Potential Area of Study: Marketing
Hometown: Alcoa, Tenn.
Birthdate: 2/12/2007
Social Media: @walkerlarue_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Alcoa High School
Fishing Team: Alcoa Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 13
Top 20 Finishes: 14
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Basketball
Fishing Strengths: Shallow-water power fishing during the spring and working well with a partner
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing on a grass lake
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Landing a crucial fish at the 2022 MLF National Championship on one of my last casts of the day. It was a solid 3-pounder and secured a sixth-place finish!
Most Admired Angler: Kyle Welcher because his videos are very informative, and his casting abilities are insane
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Eufaula, Ala.
Birthdate: 5/2/2006
Social Media: @jlevfishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Eufaula High School
Fishing Team: Eufaula High School Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 4
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, DECA Officer, FCA, FFA Officer, Fishing Team, Football, Junior Honor Society and Honor Society, Praise Band, SGA
Fishing Strengths: Comfortable fishing all water depths and can catch largemouth and spots consistently. Does well no matter the conditions and thrives in grinder tournaments
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep cranking, and I’ve never fished for smallmouth
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping or ledge fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB and my team’s win
Most Admired Angler: Cooper Gallant because he grinded from Canada to the U.S. and can catch all three bass in every region
Potential Area of Study: Management, Sports Analytics
Hometown: Semmes, Ala.
Birthdate: 7/5/2006
Social Media: @landon_loper15
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Mary G. Montgomery High School
Fishing Team: MGM Vikings Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 8
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing
Fishing Strengths: Adapting, bait selection and having a positive mental attitude
Fishing Weaknesses: Offshore fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a swim jig in grass or fishing a shaky head or finesse jig in deep rock points and walls
Favorite Fishing Memory: Lake Hartwell, S.C., is by far my favorite fishing memory because it was my first national tournament. I loved the crowd and meeting so many different people from all around the world, plus the fishery is so unique compared to Alabama
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler and Gerald Swindle because they both explain how they adapt to fish and how to adapt to the conditions they are fishing, and they both stay positive
Potential Area of Study: Agriculture
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Birthdate: 7/26/2008
Social Media: @brocklovering_fishing
Grade Level: 10th Grade
High School: McKeel Academy of Technology
Fishing Team: 863 Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: All Florida Conservation Organization, Bobby Lane Cup Participant/Volunteer, 863 Anglers, Hunting, McKeel Fishing Team, NHS
Fishing Strengths: Offshore fishing and adjusting to changes
Fishing Weaknesses: I haven’t fished many fisheries out of the South
Preferred Fishing Technique: Offshore brush fishing, offshore grass fishing and shellbar fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: I broke my rod on a hook set and eventually the line broke. I saw the rod tip bobbing in the water, so I grabbed it and successfully hand-lined in a 3-pounder during a tournament. We got it all on video, too
Most Admired Angler: My captain, Andrew Ready, because he’s taught me so much about fishing
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Louisville, Tenn.
Birthdate: 6/3/2005
Social Media: @jake_lovingood_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Alcoa High School
Fishing Team: Alcoa Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 4
Top 20 Finishes: 11
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Skeet Shooting
Fishing Strengths: Versatility and the ability to break down a lake and use electronics
Fishing Weaknesses: Drop shotting, and I want to improve on clear-water fisheries
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing (flipping, spinnerbait, topwater)
Favorite Fishing Memory: Placing third at the state championship
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because of how versatile and committed he is to fishing, and he always has a great attitude no matter the conditions
Potential Area of Study: Biology, Surveying
Hometown: Logan, Ala.
Birthdate: 1/21/2007
Social Media: @bransonmaupin
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: The Well Academy
Fishing Team: CCH Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 5
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: Hunting
Fishing Strengths: Flipping, punching and fishing around grass, offshore rock and brushpiles
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing in tides, dead-calm conditions and using giant baits
Preferred Fishing Technique: Using LiveScope
Favorite Fishing Memory: My older friend Preston took me to Smith Lake, where I used a suspending jerkbait for the first time. In the first spot, the fish came up schooling and we caught fish every cast for 30 minutes. We moved to several more locations, and everywhere we went, we caught a ton of fish
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because he is versatile everywhere he goes
Potential Area of Study: Wildlife Management
Hometown: Arkadelphia, Ark.
Birthdate: 1/22/2006
Social Media: @cade_mcbride4
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Arkadelphia High School
Fishing Team: Bassin’ Badgers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Covering water and hook sets
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing offshore
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching two fish in one cast to win my first tournament … one of those fish was the kicker!
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because of his honesty and integrity
Potential Area of Study: Marine Technology
Hometown: Sevierville, Tenn.
Birthdate: 6/14/2005
Social Media: @chase_mccartera1,
@seviercountyhighschoolfishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Sevier County High School
Fishing Team: Sevier County Anglers, Sevier County High School Fishing
Tournament Wins: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 16
Top 20 Finishes: 13
Extracurricular Activities: Deer and bear hunting, Rigging boats, Summer job at an excavation company
Fishing Strengths: All aspects of shallow-water fishing (junk fishing), pitching and flipping, topwater fishing, frog fishing and fishing spinnerbaits and ChatterBaits
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing in gin-clear water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Topwater fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Day 1 at the 2022 Bassmaster High School National Championship we had an incredible day — weighing in what ended up being the biggest bag of the whole tournament — and we were the Day 1 leaders with 17 pounds, 15 ounces
Most Admired Angler: John Cox because he has proven that you can fish shallow year-round and be successful doing so. He has remained humble through all of his success
Potential Area of Study: Environmental Science
Hometown: Tifton, Ga.
Birthdate: 8/4/2006
Social Media: @colemcdaniel_06
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Tift County High School
Fishing Team: Tift County Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 5
Extracurricular Activities: Golf
Fishing Strengths: Grass fishing, shallow cranking, locating fish, reading graphs, preparing for tournaments and using forward-facing sonar
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing heavy cover (punching)
Preferred Fishing Technique: Cranking
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching 45 fish in one day at the Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship on Lake Hartwell
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because he’s a great angler and is adamant about fishing the moment, which is what I strive toward. He is a great guy outside of fishing, and many kids look up to him because they can watch him on YouTube
Potential Area of Study: Marketing
Hometown: Andalusia, Ala.
Birthdate: 3/26/2007
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 10th Grade
High School: Straughn High School
Fishing Team: Straughn High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 1
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Basketball, Fishing
Fishing Strengths: Fishing docks, rocks and banks
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing deeper than 40 feet
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing shaky heads, jerkbaits and topwaters
Favorite Fishing Memory: I was fishing a Plopper, and my dad was cutting grass on the tractor. A 7-pound bass blew up on it, and I was screaming and trying to get his attention so he could come down to weigh it
Most Admired Angler: Ott DeFoe because he is an outstanding Christian man, loves fishing crankbaits, rocks and docks and gives a lot of advice
Potential Area of Study: Building Science
Hometown: Rockford, Ill.
Birthdate: 4/12/2007
Social Media: @joe.mcnamara_
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Boylan Catholic High School
Fishing Team: Boylan Titan Fishing
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 4
Top 20 Finishes: 1
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Basketball, Football
Fishing Strengths: Sight fishing and shallow-water fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep-water fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Skipping docks
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning a tournament by 10 pounds while fishing through snow, rain and wind
Most Admired Angler: Kyle Welcher because I like the way he fishes
Potential Area of Study: Business, Economics, Marine Biology
Hometown: Smackover, Ark.
Birthdate: 11/5/2005
Social Media: @mcneely_18
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Smackover High School
Fishing Team: Union County Youth Fishing
Tournament Wins: 5
Top 5 Finishes: 20
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Fishing shallow lakes and fishing deeper, clear-water lakes
Fishing Weaknesses: Not changing baits soon enough
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a Texas rig
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning the TBF state championship
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because of his success and dedication
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Fairfield, Iowa
Birthdate: 10/7/2005
Social Media: @matthewmelvin27
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Fairfield High School
Fishing Team: Iowa Youth Fishing League
Tournament Wins: 5
Top 5 Finishes: 9
Top 20 Finishes: 8
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball, Track & Field
Fishing Strengths: Net jobs, hook sets and having confidence
Fishing Weaknesses: Snagging
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing, topwater fishing, fishing drop shots, Neko rigs and crankbaits and dragging swingheads or Carolina rigs
Favorite Fishing Memory: At Rathbun Lake in 2022 we were having a rough day with no fish. In the last 15 to 20 minutes, we rolled up to our last spot and managed to catch fish on back-to-back-to-back casts. We came in with five fish for 15.30 pounds and took home the win
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell because he’s fun to watch and learn from, and he knows how to catch ’em anywhere
Potential Area of Study: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Clyde, N.C.
Birthdate: 3/27/2007
Social Media: @Moore_2121,
@HaywoodAnglers
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Tuscola High School
Fishing Team: Haywood Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 7
Extracurricular Activities: Teaching youth anglers
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Power fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Drop shotting
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing with my grandpa on Fontana Lake and catching my first fish
Most Admired Angler: John Thomasson, my grandpa, who took me fishing every day during the COVID-19 pandemic
Potential Area of Study: Architecture
Hometown: French Settlement, La.
Birthdate: 1/26/2006
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: French Settlement High School
Fishing Team: Livingston Parish B.A.S.S. Masters
Tournament Wins: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 10
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Being able to fish fast one minute and then methodically the next
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing deep offshore water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing spinnerbaits and punching
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 6-pounder on Toledo Bend when I was 12
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because he seems very versatile and like he is able to adapt to any environment
Potential Area of Study: Criminal Justice, Wildlife and Fisheries Agent
Hometown: Prairieville, La.
Birthdate: 7/31/2006
Social Media: @brayden_bman
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Catholic High School of Baton Rouge
Fishing Team: Catholic High Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Volunteer at cleanups around LSU lakes
Fishing Strengths: Patience and versatility
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing deep water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Shallow-water fishing and flipping around trees and underwater brushpiles
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching some big fish when fishing in Toledo Bend
Most Admired Angler: Greg Hackney, Logan Latuso, Cliff Crochet and Tyler Rivet because I have the opportunity to fish in the same bodies of water they fish in
Potential Area of Study: Undecided
Hometown: Plant City, Fla.
Birthdate: 5/25/2007
Social Media: @abigail_lee_mullis
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Plant City High School
Fishing Team: Plant City High School Bassmasters
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 19
Extracurricular Activities: PCHS Bassmasters Fishing Team President, PCHS Calendar Girl, Varsity Cheerleader
Fishing Strengths: Deep-water fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Flipping (harder due to being petite)
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing brushpiles
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching an almost 6-pound bass on Lake Seminole while fishing solo
Most Admired Angler: Maggie Carsello because she makes fishing as a female look easy
Potential Area of Study: Education (specializing in special education)
Hometown: Ardmore, Okla.
Birthdate: 1/19/2006
Social Media: @carson_owen_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Epic Charter Schools
Fishing Team: Team Texoma
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 9
Top 20 Finishes: 11
Extracurricular Activities: Wrestling
Fishing Strengths: Using LiveScope
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep-diving crankbaits
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing brushpiles
Favorite Fishing Memory: As a 4-year-old, I told my mom she had to pitch in a hole by the rocks to catch a fish. I pitched my jig in the hole and caught a 2-pounder
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because he never gives up and is super-knowledgeable
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Norwalk, Iowa
Birthdate: 3/16/2007
Social Media: @evanp_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Norwalk High School
Fishing Team: Iowa Youth Fishing League and Southwest Iowa Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 6
Top 5 Finishes: 16
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Football, Hunting, Wrestling
Fishing Strengths: Hunting offshore, fishing in hot and windy weather and fishing dirty water
Fishing Weaknesses: Using spinning rod finesse baits and fishing deep water and clear water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping stumps offshore, throwing ChatterBaits and topwater fishing shallow
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB largemouth in a tournament on my home lake — I won the tournament and had big bass. Also, fishing the Saginaw Bay Bassmaster High School Series event and, while pre-fishing, making a 35-plus-mile run back to the ramp in 6-plus-foot swells
Most Admired Angler: Scott Martin, Brandon Palaniuk, Edwin Evers, Jacob Wheeler and Dustin Connell
Potential Area of Study: Environmental Science
Hometown: Martinez, Ga.
Birthdate: 12/25/2006
Social Media: @roperputnam
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Lakeside High School
Fishing Team: Clarks Hill Youth Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 5
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Determination and devotion to the sport
Fishing Weaknesses: Not practicing on more lakes
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a jig
Favorite Fishing Memory: Placing in the Top 10 at the state Classic on Lake Eufaula
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Cobb because of his hard-work ethic, creativity and attention to detail
Potential Area of Study: DNR, Forestry, Wildlife Biology
Hometown: Hot Springs, Ark.
Birthdate: 2/15/2007
Social Media: @griffinr6
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Lakeside High School
Fishing Team: Lakeside Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 6
Top 5 Finishes: 7
Top 20 Finishes: 10
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball, BETA Club, First United Methodist Youth Group, Fishing Team Public Relations Chair, Hunting, NHS, Young Men of Distinction
Fishing Strengths: Target casting with buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and swim jigs
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing Carolina rigs and Ned rigs
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning the Bassmaster High School Arkansas State Championship this year
Most Admired Angler: John Cox because he fishes the way I like to fish and is a good speaker
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing, Wildlife Management
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
Birthdate: 8/26/2006
Social Media: @tythefishguy26
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Ankeny High School
Fishing Team: Iowa Youth Fishing League
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 11
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: Discus, Shot Put
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing and keeping focus
Fishing Weaknesses: Using electronics (Live and 360 Imaging)
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing drop shots, wacky rigs, shaky heads, small swimbaits and Neko rigs
Favorite Fishing Memory: During a two-day tournament on Brushy Creek Lake, Day 1 was freezing cold and we didn’t weigh in any fish. On Day 2 we set out to find the warmest water possible and, in the last 20 minutes of the tournament, made a run to the opposite side of the lake. My partner landed a solid 2.5-pounder, and I landed a 5-pounder. We took home big bass and the win after two days of suffering!
Most Admired Angler: Alton Jones Jr. because he is always cracking jokes and having a good time even when the day isn’t panning out or he’s struggling out on the water
Potential Area of Study: Culinary Arts, Science
Hometown: Sebring, Fla.
Birthdate: 4/17/2007
Social Media: @brookerrevell_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Sebring High School
Fishing Team: Highlands County Anglers
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 3
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: Bible Fellowship Youth Group, Cross County, FFA, 4-H, Highlands County Anglers, Track
Fishing Strengths: Flipping and fishing a swim jig
Fishing Weaknesses: Offshore fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: When I caught my PB — I was on Lake Istokpoga fishing with a buddy and hooked up with a 9.4-pound bass. It was a feeling I’ll never forget
Most Admired Angler: Ben Milliken because he developed unique techniques for catching giant bags offshore
Potential Area of Study: Agriculture, Business, Marketing
Hometown: Vancleave, Miss.
Birthdate: 11/21/2006
Social Media: @davidrobinson_fishing
Grade Level: 10th Grade
High School: Vancleave High School
Fishing Team: Vancleave High School Fishing
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 7
Top 20 Finishes: 5
Extracurricular Activities: Hunting
Fishing Strengths: Fishing tidal pools
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing ledges
Preferred Fishing Technique: Throwing buzzbaits and spinnerbaits
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my biggest bass with my grandpa in the boat
Most Admired Angler: Jason Christie because of his ability to throw a spinnerbait very well
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Cross City, Fla.
Birthdate: 12/25/2005
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Dixie County High School
Fishing Team: Dixie County Bass Masters
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 10
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing, grass fishing, rock fishing, slow fishing, shallow fishing and fishing current
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing very deep water
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Helping my little brother catch his PB
Most Admired Angler: Mike Iaconelli because of the passion for the sport that he shows through his life and how he helps grow the sport through the Ike Foundation
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Dawsonville, Ga.
Birthdate: 5/28/2007
Social Media: @reedrooke_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Dawson County High School
Fishing Team: Dawson County Tigers Fishing
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 10
Extracurricular Activities: Hockey, Working
Fishing Strengths: Good mindset, casting accuracy and boat control
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing too fast
Preferred Fishing Technique: I love power fishing but am better at finesse fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my biggest fish on Lake Lanier with my dad
Most Admired Angler: John Cox because of how badly he wants to win, how hard he tries and how he travels so much fishing multiple tournament trails
Potential Area of Study: Undecided
Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.
Birthdate: 7/20/2007
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Wakulla High School
Fishing Team: Capital City High School Bass Hunters
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Hunting
Fishing Strengths: Fishing without using sonar and fishing around rock, wood and rivers
Fishing Weaknesses: Cold-weather fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Shallow fishing Texas rigs, weightless Trick Worms, crankbaits and Carolina rigs
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing the St. Johns River for the first time
Most Admired Angler: Drew Cook because he grew up learning to fish the same lakes, ponds and rivers that I am now trying to learn and figure things out on
Potential Area of Study: Marketing
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Birthdate: 2/13/2007
Social Media: @rjsanger
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Lakeland Christian School
Fishing Team: Lakeland Christian Fishing Club
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 6
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Flipping or frogging
Fishing Weaknesses: How fast I fish or dragging a worm
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: I was fishing by myself on Okeechobee when my partner was sick and had about 15 pounds but needed a few big ones. I went to an area with some matts and immediately caught a 6 … that got me hyped up! I caught another one with 5 minutes left. My brother thought he had me beat with 18 pounds, but I came in with 22 and finished 3rd.
Most Admired Angler: Bobby Lane because he fishes the way I like to fish and worked hard to get to the level he is at
Potential Area of Study: Marketing, Conservation, Business Management
Hometown: Beloit, Ohio
Birthdate: 12/8/2005
Social Media: @colesanor64
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Mahoning County Career and Technical Center
Fishing Team: N/A
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H, Robotics, SkillsUSA
Fishing Strengths: Flipping, frogging and punching
Fishing Weaknesses: Finesse fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: During my league high school championship, on my last cast before going to weigh in, I caught a 5.35-pound largemouth that was lying against a tree. I ended up winning with three fish for 13.65 pounds, and it made my day
Most Admired Angler: Scott Martin because of the dedication he has to the sport and how he posts most of his journeys and tournaments on YouTube for fellow anglers to learn from
Potential Area of Study: Engineering
Hometown: Abbeville, Ala.
Birthdate: 6/27/2007
Social Media: @austinsawyerfishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Eufaula High School
Fishing Team: Eufaula Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 5
Extracurricular Activities: Boys and Girls Club Volunteer, Lake Eufaula Cleanup Volunteer, Volunteer at fishing rodeo for special-needs kids
Fishing Strengths: Fishing structure
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing shallow
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a Carolina rig
Favorite Fishing Memory: Spending time with my dad as my boat captain
Most Admired Angler: Lake Eufaula guide David Andrews because he always takes time to talk and tries to help me become a better angler
Potential Area of Study: Undecided
Hometown: Owenton, Ky.
Birthdate: 1/21/2006
Social Media: @samscroggins
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Covington Catholic High School
Fishing Team: CovCath Bass Fishing
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 5
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball, Working
Fishing Strengths: Staying focused all day and not slowing down
Fishing Weaknesses: Being able to quickly switch types of fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: The 2022 KHSAA State Championship
Most Admired Angler: Scott Martin because he is following a family legacy and sharing his tips with others
Potential Area of Study: Business, Law
Hometown: Overland Park, Kan.
Birthdate: 9/22/2005
Social Media: @willshepherd_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Fishing Team: Kickback Bass Club
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 12
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Researching and breaking down water, covering water quickly and efficiently and grinding it out to catch fish on tough lakes
Fishing Weaknesses: Using graphs
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing boat docks, drop shotting and fishing a bladed jig
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 25-pound bag on the first day of the 2023 state championship
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because he shows a true passion for the sport and consistently catches fish wherever he goes
Potential Area of Study: Business, Finance
Hometown: McAlester, Okla.
Birthdate: 3/30/2006
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Savanna Public School
Fishing Team: Texoma Area
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 0
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Fishing jigs and topwaters
Fishing Weaknesses: N/A
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a bobber
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning my first tournament
Most Admired Angler: My dad … the greatest crappie fisherman ever
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Hot Springs, Ark.
Birthdate: 3/31/2006
Social Media: @kaleb_snow31
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Lakeside High School
Fishing Team: Lakeside Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 7
Top 5 Finishes: 8
Top 20 Finishes: 10
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Topwater fishing, schooling fish and fishing big spoons and Texas rigs
Fishing Weaknesses: Deep cranking
Preferred Fishing Technique: Throwing a topwater, chasing offshore fish and throwing a Texas-rigged worm either shallow or deep
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 7.52-pound largemouth on Millwood Lake in the B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship and winning the whole thing. Also on Nimrod Lake, we won the 2022 Young Guns State Championship with a 20-pound bag
Most Admired Angler: Spencer Shuffield because he finds ways to catch them any time of the year
Potential Area of Study: Agriculture, Business
Hometown: Gaylord, Mich.
Birthdate: 2/26/2007
Social Media: @lukesomerville_07
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Gaylord High School
Fishing Team: Gaylord High School Bass Anglers
Tournament Wins: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 4
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: DNR Conservation Volunteer, Fishing, Golf, Working
Fishing Strengths: Accuracy and enticing the fish on the line
Fishing Weaknesses: Getting frustrated when I’m not catching them
Preferred Fishing Technique: Jigging side arm
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning the West Michigan Bass Tournament on Torch Lake in 2021, as well as qualifying for the 2023 Bassmaster High School National Championship at Lake Hartwell
Most Admired Angler: Scott Anderson because he is knowledgeable and interesting to watch
Potential Area of Study: Conservation, Engineering
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Birthdate: 4/11/2006
Social Media: @sorrellsdylan
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Highland Park High School
Fishing Team: Highland Park Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 8
Top 5 Finishes: 6
Top 20 Finishes: 13
Extracurricular Activities: Florida Fantasy Fishing Camp Counselor, Football, Highland Park B.A.S.S. Nation Club Co-Founder, Highland Park Bass Team VP of Community Service, Powerlifting, Young Men’s Service League
Fishing Strengths: Fishing offshore using Garmin LiveScope, flipping docks, targeting isolated cover and finesse fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Topwater, glidebait and grass fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing Texas rigs, drop shots, squarebills, A-Rigs and Carolina rigs
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning the TBF Junior World Championship on the Mississippi River Pool 14. Also, finishing in the Top 20 at the 2023 Bassmaster High School National Championship
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because of his versatility and consistency. He is very good with every technique and does great videos explaining how he rigs his baits
Potential Area of Study: Marketing
Hometown: Branford, Fla.
Birthdate: 4/8/2005
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Bell High School
Fishing Team: Dixie Bassmasters
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Hunting
Fishing Strengths: Fishing shallow water with topwater baits and finding and fishing a shad spawn
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing too fast
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing shallow with a topwater buzzbait
Favorite Fishing Memory: Fishing in a rock pit with my mom and granny when I was little
Most Admired Angler: Scott Martin because I have been watching him fish since I was little
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Alabaster, Ala.
Birthdate: 10/20/2006
Social Media: @simonstafford_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Evangel Christian School
Fishing Team: Evangel Lightning Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing Team
Fishing Strengths: Casting accuracy and determination
Fishing Weaknesses: Trolling motor skills and flipping heavy grass
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a jig
Favorite Fishing Memory: During the state championship on Lake Eufaula we had a perfect stretch of grass, and on almost every cast I was either catching a fish on a jig or my partner was getting a blowup on a frog
Most Admired Angler: Alton Jones Jr. because he is one of the best on the water, and he also is one of the smartest. He is also very godly
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Clanton, Ala.
Birthdate: 6/24/2005
Social Media: @skipper.24
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Evangel Christian School
Fishing Team: Evangel Lightning Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 13
Extracurricular Activities: Key Club, New Life Students
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing in current and fishing with forward-facing sonar
Fishing Weaknesses: Offshore fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing (mostly drop shot)
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching 15 pounds, 11 ounces of all spots on Lay Lake this year
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell because he’s my hometown hero and grew up fishing on Lake Mitchell just like me
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Birthdate: 2/4/2007
Social Media: @fishing2thelimit
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Fernandina High School
Fishing Team: Nassau Christian Bass Club
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Church Youth Group, Fishing
Fishing Strengths: Casting and tying strong knots
Fishing Weaknesses: Tying knots quickly
Preferred Fishing Technique: Open-water fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching 21.08 pounds of Florida bass on Lake Okeechobee and earning second place when my Papaw flew down from Tennessee to watch me in a tournament
Most Admired Angler: My Papaw isn’t a professional angler, but he is the angler I admire most. He tournament fishes at least three times a week, taught me to bass fish and continues to teach me how to improve
Potential Area of Study: Marine Biology, Marketing
Hometown: Advance, N.C.
Birthdate: 9/30/2006
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Davie High School
Fishing Team: War Eagle Fishing
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Flipping docks and structure
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing offshore
Preferred Fishing Technique: Shallow flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: When my dad, brother and I went to a farm pond to catch bluegill to use as catfish bait. We ended up catching flathead catfish and I caught my first few 5-plus-pound bass
Most Admired Angler: Jacob Wheeler because he’s the best on and off the water
Potential Area of Study: Physical Education
Hometown: Gadsden, Ala.
Birthdate: 10/22/2006
Social Media: @crispystrahan
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Glencoe/Home School
Fishing Team: Glencoe Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 6
Top 20 Finishes: 1
Extracurricular Activities: Children’s Church, Church Sound Booth, Food Ministry Volunteer
Fishing Strengths: Fishing grass, grass mats and structure on points and banks
Fishing Weaknesses: Locating fish deep and offshore and using deep-water techniques
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping soft plastics and jigs and fishing Texas rigs and ChatterBaits
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning at Weiss Lake, my team finishing in second place in the state Classic at Lake Jordan and also catching my PB of 8 pounds, 3 ounces
Most Admired Angler: Wes Logan because he is someone who grew up fishing what I am fishing now, and I got to see him win an Elite on my home lake
Potential Area of Study: Aerospace Engineering
Hometown: Kilgore, Texas
Birthdate: 7/28/2005
Social Media: @stuck_fishing_
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Sabine High School
Fishing Team: Sabine High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 6
Top 20 Finishes: 8
Extracurricular Activities: Golf
Fishing Strengths: Breaking down a fishery during each season
Fishing Weaknesses: Punching
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a wacky worm and a drop shot
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB during a tournament on my last cast. I was also able to fish some of the Opens in 2021 as a co-angler in New York and Oklahoma
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk
Potential Area of Study: Accounting, Business Management
Hometown: Opp, Ala.
Birthdate: 1/11/2007
Social Media: @t_sutherland.07
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Opp High School
Fishing Team: Opp Bass Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Fishing
Fishing Strengths: Power fishing
Fishing Weaknesses: Finesse techniques
Preferred Fishing Technique: Frogging
Favorite Fishing Memory: Spending time with my dad
Most Admired Angler: Brandon Palaniuk because he is one of the greatest to ever be a part of the sport, but he is fueled by his losses and always stays positive
Potential Area of Study: Engineering
Hometown: Denham Springs, La.
Birthdate: 5/10/2006
Social Media: @rowdie.thacker.fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Live Oak High School
Fishing Team: Live Oak High Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 9
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Volunteer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Volunteer and tournament host for special-needs fishing tournament
Fishing Strengths: Clear-water fishing and fishing in cold water
Fishing Weaknesses: Cranking
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my PB with my grandpa during a tournament
Most Admired Angler: My grandpa because he has fished tournaments since the ’80s and taught me more about fishing than I could learn from watching videos
Potential Area of Study: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Dothan, Ala.
Birthdate: 11/27/2006
Social Media: @triple7outdoors
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Rehobeth High School
Fishing Team: N/A
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 2
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Basketball, Beta Club, Football
Fishing Strengths: Adapting to the fish, fishing shallow and having confidence in using electronics to catch fish offshore
Fishing Weaknesses: Getting excited when landing fish
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a jerkbait and a Texas rig offshore on LiveScope
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 6-pounder during the Junior B.A.S.S. Nation tournament on Lake Eufaula
Most Admired Angler: Dustin Connell and Ben Milliken because both of these guys are geniuses with LiveScope and stand-up guys
Potential Area of Study: Medical field (anesthesia)
Hometown: Crane Hill, Ala.
Birthdate: 9/5/2006
Social Media: @drew__turnbull
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Evangel Christian School
Fishing Team: Evangel Lightning Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 1
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 4
Extracurricular Activities: Church of the Highlands Youth Group, Guitar, Summer Job (full-time)
Fishing Strengths: Spotted bass fisheries, fishing as many spots in a day as possible/covering water and keeping a positive attitude
Fishing Weaknesses: Fishing slow
Preferred Fishing Technique: LiveScoping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching my first 4-plus-pound bass on a topwater
Most Admired Angler: Joey Nania for being so open with his relationship with Christ and giving all the glory to God in his success
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Crane Hill, Ala.
Birthdate: 9/5/2006
Social Media: @thomasturnbullfishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Evangel Christian School
Fishing Team: Evangel Lightning Bass Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 0
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: Church of the Highlands Youth Group, Guitar, Summer Job
Fishing Strengths: LiveScoping
Fishing Weaknesses: Punching
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a drop shot
Favorite Fishing Memory: Any time I’ve been fishing with my family
Most Admired Angler: Aaron Martens because he had the best attitude, was super-smart and technical and had an amazing aptitude for fishing
Potential Area of Study: Undecided
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Birthdate: 6/6/2007
Social Media: @atfishin
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: McKeel High School
Fishing Team: McKeel High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 2
Top 20 Finishes: 20
Extracurricular Activities: Clay Shooting
Fishing Strengths: Staying calm, never giving up, grinding and keeping a winning mentality
Fishing Weaknesses: Finesse fishing and dock fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Power fishing — flipping, topwater fishing, cranking and Texas rigging
Favorite Fishing Memory: Winning the state championship
Most Admired Angler: Kevin VanDam because he’s the GOAT. Ben Milliken because of his personality. Bobby Lane because he taught me how to flip and supports us locally
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marine Biology
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Birthdate: 5/26/2005
Social Media: @joevaulton_fishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Carter High School
Fishing Team: Alcoa Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 4
Top 5 Finishes: 12
Top 20 Finishes: 18
Extracurricular Activities: Alcoa Fishing Pond Volunteer, Church Community Outreach Volunteer, Volunteer at multiple lake cleanups and habitat projects, Youth fishing derbies organizer
Fishing Strengths: Flipping and working/understanding electronics
Fishing Weaknesses: Grass fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping and deep-school fishing
Favorite Fishing Memory: I enjoy fishing with my family and out-fishing my dad and brother. Recently I fished the St Lawrence River, and it was the absolute best fishing I’ve ever done!
Most Admired Angler: Ott DeFoe because I admire his character, have learned so much from him and our fishing techniques are similar
Potential Area of Study: Business
Hometown: Apple Valley, Minn.
Birthdate: 11/1/2005
Social Media: N/A
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Eastview High School
Fishing Team: Rosemount Irish Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 3
Top 5 Finishes: 5
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: BSA scouting, Building lures, Tennis
Fishing Strengths: Adapting to change — rarely does practice match up with the day of a tournament
Fishing Weaknesses: Using electronics and fishing deep
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching a 6-pounder at last year’s TBF Worlds on Pickwick Lake using a lure I built myself
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because he’s a consistent fisherman who knows how to adapt and make something out of nothing and is always in the hunt. He is just a good person, is always nice to people and doesn’t let success get to his head
Potential Area of Study: Business, Marketing
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Birthdate: 10/16/2006
Social Media: @brileywest1
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: McKeel Academy of Technology
Fishing Team: McKeel High School Fishing Team
Tournament Wins: 7
Top 5 Finishes: 6
Top 20 Finishes: 20
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
Fishing Strengths: Landing reaction bites
Fishing Weaknesses: Weightless fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Flipping and moving hard baits
Favorite Fishing Memory: The first tournament I won with my current fishing partner
Most Admired Angler: Ben Milliken because he has fished for so long, and, in his first Opens season this year, he has already won a tournament and has another Top 10 finish. Bobby Lane because he has made a big name for himself and does most of the techniques I do
Potential Area of Study: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Pulaski, Ill.
Birthdate: 1/19/2006
Social Media: @trevorwilburnfishing
Grade Level: 12th Grade
High School: Century High School
Fishing Team: Century High School Fishing
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 6
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Basketball, FFA Vice President, 4-H, Illinois Senior State President, Illinois State Junior Beta President, Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Centers Cooking Team, National Cemetery Volunteer, Pulaski Illinois Fair and Civic Club Volunteer, Upward Basketball Volunteer, Working
Fishing Strengths: Strong casting abilities and being patient
Fishing Weaknesses: Giving up on a spot or lure too soon
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a Texas rig and jig
Favorite Fishing Memory: When I was 9 or 10 years old, I landed my PB bass in the boat with Jamie Horton on Lake Guntersville
Most Admired Angler: Jamie Horton because he has been a friend for many years and has taught me about fishing and life in general
Potential Area of Study: Agriculture Science, Business
Hometown: Lawndale, N.C.
Birthdate: 12/23/2005
Social Media: @lawton.williams_fishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Burns High School
Fishing Team: Cleveland County Bass Anglers
Tournament Wins: 0
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 3
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball, Burns High School Livestock Judging Team, Casar Baptist Church Youth Group, FFA, Operate personal lawn care business, Part-time job
Fishing Strengths: Finesse fishing shallow water and docks
Fishing Weaknesses: Offshore fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Finesse fishing in shallow water and fishing a shaky head and a drop shot
Favorite Fishing Memory: My father and I were fishing an evening tournament when we were coming around a point fishing. Within the first 10 minutes, my dad caught the first fish. We worked our way around the point and down the bank and caught a limit in the first 30 minutes
Most Admired Angler: Gerald Swindle because he is a very inspiring bass angler who always has a positive attitude
Potential Area of Study: Agricultural Sciences, Business, Engineering, Trade
Hometown: Willis, Texas
Birthdate: 9/16/2006
Social Media: @garrettwilsonfishing
Grade Level: 11th Grade
High School: Willis High School
Fishing Team: Willis Basskats
Tournament Wins: 2
Top 5 Finishes: 1
Top 20 Finishes: 7
Extracurricular Activities: Baseball
Fishing Strengths: Fishing moving baits like crankbaits or Rat-L-Traps
Fishing Weaknesses: Frog fishing
Preferred Fishing Technique: Fishing a jerkbait or Rat-L-Trap across grass
Favorite Fishing Memory: Catching two and three bass on an A-Rig at the same time was a blast; it was a super-strong fight and yielded good-sized fish
Most Admired Angler: Jordan Lee because he stays consistent and catches fish. I hope to do as good as him when I get older
Potential Area of Study: Aviation, Business
