2022 Junior World Championship

Heads To Kentucky Lake, Paris, TN and Henry County on July 27-29, 2022

 PONCA CITY, OKLA. (5/4/2022) – The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) announced today that the 2022 TBF Junior World Championship (JWC) is set for July 27-29 on Kentucky Lake at Paris Tennessee.

The 2022 JWC includes a two-person team format and three days of competition, launching from Paris Landing, TN. The TBF Junior program includes all anglers 8^th grade and under at the time they qualified through their home state’s Junior program. Only the top percentage of Junior angler teams from each state’s sanctioned programs are invited to attend and compete for their share of well over $10,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Historically, the Junior World Championship (JWC) is held in conjunction with the Federation’s Annual State Leadership Conference which once again will also be hosted with the JWC in Paris, TN. The Annual TBF State Leadership Conference invites 49 TBF affiliated state federations in the US and Canada to send state official(s) to attend meetings on fishing, youth and conservation items, strategic planning, educational sessions, how to operate their local & state events safely as well as annual elections of TBF national directors.

Additionally, this year there will be a big fish event on Saturday July 30 that is open to all ages and to the general public and boasts a top prize of $5,000 for the single biggest bass weighed in on Saturday plus 4 weigh in sessions with prizes each session.

“We welcome the TBF anglers, State Leaders and their families to Paris TN and Henry County for this week-long array of events.” Stated Travis McLeese from the Paris Henry County Chamber of Commerce. “From the Eiffel Tower Park to Paris Landing State Park, great restaurants, eateries, shopping there is something for everyone in Henry County and we hope you enjoy your stay with us.”

“Kentucky lake is a premier fishery and while it has struggled in the past few years by all local accounts the bass fishing on Kentucky lake is rebounding nicely, and now is the time to let the best junior anglers in the world probe these waters for scholarships and prizes.” TBF President and CEO Robert Cartlidge said. “Paris, TN is centrally located in the US for our state leadership meetings which will help our state leaders who attend with the price of today’s fuel costs and there are many things to do in the area so it is a great location for us. We added a big fish event onto this event that is open to the public to give all anglers in attendance and all local anglers a chance to compete and win big. Big fish events are fun for everyone because one bite can win it all.”

Many of today’s top pro anglers started in the TBF Junior program.  A few examples are; Jacob Wheeler (IN) fished the 2006 JWC; Shane Lehew (NC) won the 2007 JWC, and 2017 Forrest Wood Cup winner Justin Atkins (MS) in the 2008 JWC.  More recently, 2020 TBF Federation National Champion Living The Dream angler Lance Freeman (KY) started out by fishing the TBF Kentucky Junior program.

About The Bass Federation – The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth, and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations, and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for nearly 50 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2007 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on Facebook.

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The 2022 North Carolina TBF hosted the NC Junior State Championship on Jordan Lake in Chapel Hill, NC.  At the end of the day, Damon Clark and Jackson Eakes took 1st place with 4 fish weighing 14 pounds 4 ounces.  Carter Doughty and Seth Lowe followed in 2nd place with only 2 fish, but 2 big fish. Total weight was 12 pounds 11 ounces. Carter and Seth also brought in the big fish of the day that weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces.  And in 3rd place, with 11 pounds 13 ounces was the team of Kieran Stephenson and Grady Stanley. For full results CLICK HERE and for more photos visit our Facebook page

Junior anglers from all around the state of Tennessee came to Parsons, TN to compete on Kentucky Lake to earn a berth in the upcoming 2022 Junior World Championship.  These young anglers worked hard during the cold day to catch as many fish as they could.  Although the white bass were plentiful and willing to bite, the Bass were a little more elusive.

The West TN Junior Bass Trail team of Tucker Wollney and Carter Smith only caught two fish, but they caught the right two fish.  They won the event with 8 pounds and 13 ounces and claimed the Big Bass award with a 6-05 lunker.  They are headed to the Junior World Championship to represent the state of Tennessee.

Second place went to another West TN Junior Bass trail team of Jase Allen and Alton Munden with 6 pounds and one ounce.  Finishing third was the Upper Cumberland Junior Team of Grant Arnold and Ethan Rose with 4 pounds and 11 ounces.

Most of the anglers said they caught their fish on crankbaits, jerkbaits, rattletraps or a jig.  They also said that most of their fish came from water about 3-8 foot deep up in the bigger bays.  Several of the teams also said they had quite a bit of fun just catching white bass throughout the day.  They would hit just about anything and were a lot of fun to catch.  Several teams said they caught more than 50 during the day.   So even if the largemouth were not biting everybody still seemed to have a good time, and for this age group, that is what it is really all about.  Getting bites and learning how to be a better fisherman.  Congratulations to all the Junior teams that participated. For full results CLICK HERE. For more photos of this event CLICK HERE

The 2022 Louisiana TBF Junior State Championship was held March 12th on Lake Caddo in Oil City, LA. With 70 teams participating, the top 7 teams will be advancing to the TBF Junior World Championship to be held July 27-29, 2022.

Due to cold temps with strong winds and frozen precipitation the night before, the morning take-off was delayed until 8AM. Many of the boats were unable to even open their rod boxes or glove compartments because everything was frozen. Little Buddy heaters were used by some to thaw things out. Very unexpected weather conditions for Louisiana but these junior anglers toughed it out.

At the end of a very tough day of fishing, only 16 teams brought fish to the scales. Jake Weaver and Kaleb Horn brought an impressive five fish limit with a total weight of 22-14 taking first place. In second place, with another great bag of fish was Levi Joyner and Matthew Mccarthy with 18-15.  Eli Still and Gage White took 3rd with just two fish that weighed 10-13. Eli and Gage also took Big Bass honors with a 6-06 big fish. And taking 4th place was Seth Nugent and Mason Hicks with 5-15. Lane McCullough and Kole Green came in 5th place followed by Brody Meador and Lucas Cox in 6th place. In 7th place was Tucker Beatty and Jack Jayroe. For full results CLICK HERE. For more photos of this event CLICK HERE