Anderson, SC to host Junior World Championship and State Leadership Meetings July 24-26, 2024

Anderson, SC to host Junior World Championship July 24-26, 2024

Premier destination, Lake Hartwell hosts premier junior event.

 PONCA CITY, OKLA. (5/7/2024) –

The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) announced today that the 2024 TBF Junior World Championship (JWC) is set for July 24-26 on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.  The dates were announced a year ago and has been the same week of July for years but the lake is usually not announced until the bulk of the qualifying process has been completed.

Roughly one month after hosting the largest and longest running premier High School event in the nation, the 15th annual High School Fishing World Finals in June of 2024, Anderson, SC will host the 30th annual Junior World Championship July 24-26, 2024.

The TBF Junior program was founded in 1994 by (4) four TBF state federations. Ohio and North Carolina Federations lead the way the first couple years. Now 30 years later, the Junior Angler program still runs strong and includes all anglers who were 8th grade and under at the time they qualified to attend this event through their home state’s Junior program. Only the top percentile of Junior teams from each state’s sanctioned programs, can earn an invite to attend and compete for their share of well over $25,000 in scholarships, product and prizes. Junior anglers pay no entry fees, and we pay no cash to youth anglers, instead their rewards are scholarships, product and prizes. Registration for qualified teams, will open May 31 at www.Bassfederation.com and close July 5.

“It is a testament to Anderson, SC and the Lake Hartwell region to host two prestigious youth events in two back-to-back months this year.” Stated Robert Cartlidge President of The Bass Federation (TBF). “Not only is Lake Hartwell a good fishery, Anderson, SC is a safe vacation destination location for all attendees with lots to do in the area. It speaks volumes about the local community that they reach out and welcome young people from around the world to their home for some clean family fun. We are excited to be there, and I know the junior anglers and their families as well as our state federation leaders will have a great time in Anderson, SC.”

2023 JWC champs from Ohio Grayson Goodwin and Colton Baker

 

Competition days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday July 24, 25, 26 with weigh-in free and open to the public daily at Green Pond Landing and live online at bassfederation.com.

Once again, the TBF Federation’s Annual State Leadership Conference will be held in conjunction with the Junior World Championship. The Bass Federation (TBF) is 100% member owned and 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, as well as annual elections of TBF National Directors and votes on how national rules and program’s function. During even numbered years such as 2024, the State Federation Presidents and State Tournament Directors are invited to attend the Annual Leadership Conference. In odd number years (2025) it is the Presidents and State Youth Directors or Conservation Directors.

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) fished the 2008 JWC.  More recently, 2024 young gun tearing up the Pro ranks is Trey McKinney, (IL), who won the 2018 TBF Junior World Championship, and many more. If you have young anglers who would like to get involved, contact us anytime to find a club and get qualified for 2025.

The event is sponsored by Visit Anderson/Anderson County, Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Rapala Crush City, MinnKota, Cabela’s, Stike King, Humminbird, Impulse Lithium, TH Marine, Lew’s, Rapala, Power Pole, VMC Hooks, Sufix Line, FacultyofFishing.com and our partners in fishing at MLF.

About The Bass Federation – The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and headquartered out of Ponca City, Oklahoma. 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 over 55 years. TBF founded not only the Junior program in 1994 and the Student Angler Federation (SAF) 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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SPOT-LOCK OR SHALLOW WATER ANCHORS [WHICH DO YOU NEED?

SPOT-LOCK OR SHALLOW WATER ANCHORS
[WHICH DO YOU NEED?]
#minnkota

When it comes to finding the right equipment for your boat, you have a few important options for boat control. Two of the most popular tools are a trolling motor with Spot-Lock® and Raptor or Talon shallow water anchors. Both tools provide the boat control you need to take your fishing to the next level, but one question we hear often is, “Which one do I need?”

Let’s dig into the advantages of each and figure out which tool is best for your fishing style.

• Benefits of Trolling Motors with Spot-Lock GPS Anchor
• Benefits of Shallow Water Anchors
• Which do you need for your boat?
• If you could only have one, which should you get?

FIND OUT NOW CLICK HERE >>

John Levesque (NH) and Chase Preat (KY) are Living THEIR Dream! Win National Championship Titles.

Lake Sam Rayburn, Brookeland, TX

Non-Boater Chase Preat (left) from Kentucky and Boater John Levesque (right) from New Hampshire (pictured below) wins 2024 TBF Federation National Championship Live YOUR dream prize packages!

To qualify for The Bass Federation’s (TBF) Federation National Championship is a process and a dream come true event for best grassroots anglers from across North America. It all starts at the local state federation level, fishing through your home state federation events to qualify for one of 21 TBF National Semi finals held each year. The top anglers from each State at each one of these 21 TBF National Semifinals earns a spot in the Federation National Championship and from there the sky is the limit.

2024 TBF National Champion Boater John Levesque from New Hampshire pictured with part of his winnings include the Ranger Z520 sitting behind him!

104 of the nation’s best grassroots anglers converged on Lake Sam Rayburn, in Brookeland Texas this week to compete in the 3-day event.  The format of the event is a great field leveler and was voted into place the state federation decades ago so that angler only had to compete against other similar anglers geographically to advance. Each angler (boaters and co-anglers) competes the first two day against the other anglers in their geographical division (Eastern, Northern, Southern, Mid-Atlantic, North West, South West, Southern and Central) to make the cut into the 3rd and final day as their divisions Champion. Then on the final day only those 7 division champion boaters and 7 division champion non-boaters go out to try to earn the national champions titles.  14 anglers advance to the BFL All-American thanks to the partnership between TBF and our partners in fishing at MLF and the event boasts a total prize purse of over $400,000.00!

Day1- Boaters side.
Arkansas’s Kevin Brown jumped out to an overall lead and of course the lead in the central division (NE, KS, OK, TX, MO, AR, LA, MS) with a 5 fish bag that would turn out to be the largest bag of the week, that weighed 21-00 even.  Little did the anglers know that Sam Rayburn had plans to be stingy with the anglers all week.
– Ontario Canada’s Andrew Shufelt sat in 2nd place overall with 19-14 and was leading the TBF’s Eastern Division (ONT, ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY)
– Chad Brinegar (WV) held the Mid-Atlantic Division lead 15-07 (PA, NJ, DE, MD, WV, VA, DC)
– Brandon Staton (KY) lead the Southern Division with 15-01 (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TN, KY)
– Jonathan Jackson (NV) put 14-15 on the scales to lead the Southwest Division (AZ, CA, CO, NV, NM, UT)-   Joseph McKay (IA) had 14-02 to lead the Northern Division (OH, MI, IN, IL, IA, WI, MN, SD) and
– Rick Funk (ID) held down the Northwest Division lead with 11-15 (WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, ND)

Non-Boaters side Day 1 leaders.
SW Div- Chase Hartman (AZ) 7-09
S Div- Chase Preat (KY) 15-14
NW Div- Mark Hilyer (MT) 8-10
N Div- Mark Laverack (SD) 10-07
M-A Div – John Wiseman (DC) 4-15
E Div – Peter Owen (NH) 13-08
C Div James Moore (TX) 9-05

Day 1 wrapped up with a tough bit for most the anglers, just days before high 20 and even high 30 pound bags were brought in, but a cool front came through, the lake level was falling for repair work on the damn and some fish had just spawned, it was tough fishing for most of the field, Sam Rayburn big fish did not show up. So the hope was day 2 they would be hungry.

They were not.

Day 2 turned out to be as tough if not tougher fishing for the championship anglers. So, after 2 days of fishing the division champions moving on to the 3rd and final day were as follows.

Boaters– John Levesque, (NH) E Div. (32-11), Kevin Brown (AR) C-Div 32-03, Brandon Staton (KY) S Div, 30-01, Tyler Ivie, (UT) SW Div., 25-05, Pete Saele, (IL) N Div. 25-01, Michael McMahon, (NJ), M-A Div., 23-05, Rick Funk, (ID), NW Div., 23-00

Non-Boaters – Chase Preat (KY) S Div. 27-00, James Moore, Jr. (TX) C Div. 19-07, Terry Laverack, (SD) N Div., 18-06, Peter Owen (NH), E Div, 17-14, Trey Anderson, (WV) M-A Div. 16-15, Chase Hartmann (AZ) SW Div, 15-08, and Daniel Dobransky, (ID), NW Div., 11-07.

Day 3 – The finals. The wind blew fishing picked up for some.  This event proved that in the long run day over day consistency pays.

On the non-boaters side Kentucky’s Chase Preat, held on for the lead wire to wire throwing a chatter bait and a A-rig form the back of the boat. His win earned him the title and trophy as the TBF Non Boater National Champion and a all he could carry of his $35,000 prize package to help live HIS dream. Including a $20,000.00 check, Minn Kota, Trolling motor, Power Pole, $2,500 worth of paid entry fees to fish whatever he wishes to live HIS dream, advancement opportunities, travel stipends and more.

 

On the boaters side the lead was not as clear.  It shifted daily and with each angler who weighed in on day 3. In the end it was New Hampshire John Levesque who consistently brought in enough to gather the field and take home the win.

While Levesque did not hold the lead every day he was right near the top every day and his final day consistency propelled him to a National Champion title. John reported using a variety of baits “Whatever it took to get a bite” he stated, including A-rig and Chatter baits as well.  For his win he hosted the national champions trophy and a $125,000 prize package that included among other items; A check for $20,000, a brand new Ranger Z520R, with 250 HP outboard, MinnKota trolling motor, front and rear electronics, Impulse lithium full battery package, an impulse lithium multi bank charger, (2) power poles, a custom Ranger trail trailer, a $500 Atlas Jack plate bonus award, $5,000 worth of paid entry fees to whatever he wishes to fish to live HIS dream and more.

 

All 104 anglers took home a prize of some amount. All 52 boaters received a gas stipend, and all 104 national championship anglers also were offered and housing stipend to help off set their lodging costs.

IF you would like to join TBF Federation in your club and get started qualifying for next year’s event now is the time! You can find your home State President’s contact info right on this website under the state  federations tab or call us at 580-765-9031 to get started.

 

DAILY LIVE Coverage click here!

Daily LIVE coverage of the 2024 TBF National Championship March 27, 28, 29 at Lake Sam Rayburn, Brookeland, TX  3:00pm CT each day 

LIVE leaderboard CLICK HERE 

LIVE video of the Daily Weigh-in will show below and on our Facebook page HERE!

 

Daily Results