Largest student fishing campaign in history to be operated by TBF, FLW Outdoors

MINNEAPOLIS, January 27, 2011 — FLW Outdoors, in conjunction with The Bass Federation (TBF)-Student Angler Federation (SAF), has announced the formation of the National High School Fishing program, the largest student-angler initiative in history.

The national High School Fishing program will allow students at more than 23,000 high schools across the United States and Canada the opportunity to compete at a high level, gain valuable experience and earn scholarships to benefit their continued education.

“High School Fishing is the natural progression from our successful National Guard FLW College Fishing program,” said Kathy Fennel, president, FLW Outdoors Operations Division. “With TBF heading up the state championships and FLW Outdoors leading the way at regional championships and the national championship, we are able to provide a comprehensive program that will help connect students to our nation’s natural resources while also providing a new sport for young men and women alike that will give students an even stronger connection to their schools.”

The High School Fishing program will begin with a High School State Championship for every state in the continental United States and the province of Ontario, Canada. Two-person teams from grades 9 through 12 will compete and be paired with a “coach” who will provide a boat for competition.

The winning team from each state championship will advance to a High School Fishing Regional Championship that will be held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship on a college campus. The winning team from each regional championship will advance to the High School Fishing National Championship, which will be held on a college campus in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship. Boats and a travel allowance will be provided for the teams advancing to the regional and national championships.

The winners of the High School Fishing National Championship will each receive a $5,000 scholarship for use at a university of his or her choice. All SAF members and High School Fishing State Championship contestants automatically qualify for High School Fishing’s largest event, the 2011 SAF High School Fishing World Finals, which will be held July 20-23 on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Ark.

“The Federation was founded on three core principles: youth, conservation and fishing,” said TBF President Robert Cartlidge. “For more than four decades, we’ve been the leader in youth fishing programs. This is the next step for us and for our great partnership with FLW Outdoors.

“Through our Student Angler Federation, we’ll provide every high school club and angler who enters a High School Fishing State Championship with full TBF and FLW Outdoors member benefits, including the all-new FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition, TBF insurance coverage while competing and educational material on math, science and language arts and why they’re important to fishing and life. We will also provide advancement to the nation’s premier fishing events. So, it’s not simply about another fishing tournament. It’s about fishing, education and family fun. Prizes will consist of trophies, sponsor products and significant scholarships, which can help these young anglers prosper.”

All state championships require a $25 entry fee per person. Current TBF-SAF high school club members fish for free. All competitors receive full SAF member benefits, including TBF and FLW Outdoors memberships with their entry fees. Member benefits include newsletters, resources, product discounts and access to FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition, plus a free Player’s Advantage membership in FantasyFishing.com, which offers more than $500,000 in cash and prizes in 2011.

To register for your High School Fishing State Championship and for more information about how to start an SAF High School Fishing club, visit HighSchoolFishing.org.

man i wish they had that when i was in High school

I agree Tyler.  But, then again, I wish they had the college division when I was in college. It definitely would have made a difference where I went to school.

im a junior in high school, and fishing doesnt really fit in with the demographic status of my area. i would love to fish in a high school club but here are none around. i dont really know what to do, ive contacted my stated B.A.S.S. youth director but he hasnt gotten back to me yet with any results. any assistance would be appreciated.

Wow i mist it by about 30 years,at least my kids have a chance.

Great opportunity's for kid's these day's. They don't know how great this is, but they will when they get older!

MdBassin747 at February 2, 2012 at 9:51 PM

im a junior in high school, and fishing doesnt really fit in with the demographic status of my area. i would love to fish in a high school club but here are none around. i dont really know what to do, ive contacted my stated B.A.S.S. youth director but he hasnt gotten back to me yet with any results. any assistance would be appreciated.

Contact Jonathan Miller our Pro Staff and FLW College rep here. He will help in any way he can send him a message here at the site.

Wish my highschool had something like this

hey shoot me a message i can help!

Eh, My school is poor and there are less than 800 people in the whole town  Don't think we would get it

He means the guy from MARYLAND right next door to him lol 

Oh lol, sorry 

http://www.highschoolfishing.org/tournaments/2012-state-championships/

Florida High School Fishing State Championship Set For March 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ponca City, Okla. (Dec. 7, 2011) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW Outdoors, announced it will be hosting the 2012 Student Angler Federation Florida High School Fishing State Championship, Saturday, March 3 on Lake Toho launching out of Kissimmee Lake Front Park in Kissimmee, Florida. The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for high school anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org or by calling 580.765.9031. Check-in begins at 6pm on Friday, March 2, at the Clarion Resort Waterpark & Convention Center with a mandatory rules briefing to follow at 7pm. We highly encourage all teams to preregister online or by phone in advance to avoid late registration fees.

“Osceola County is excited to have the SAF State High School Fishing Championship return to Lake Toho for the second consecutive year,” Sports Development Director for the Osceola County Department of Tourism, Don Miers, stated. “We are one of the premier bass fishing locations in the world and are proud to host this wonderful youth event here in Osceola County.”

“Our Student Angler Federation had a great start in Florida with last year’s inaugural event jump starting several high school fishing teams,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “They’ve taken the next steps to get their respective clubs up and running. Now, they’re ready for action at this event. We’re looking forward to the increased participation and enthusiasm for the sport, as this program grows nationwide.”

Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is only $25/ year and includes full TBF and FLW Outdoors benefits, including access to the all-new FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The winning two-person team from each state championship will advance to an FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship in the fall of 2012. The winners from each regional will advance to the FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2013. All SAF members and state championship participants qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals to compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Each team that qualifies for a regional and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The High School Fishing National Championship winner’s will also each receive a $5,000 scholarship to use at the University of their Choice.

If you’re not an SAF member, there’s a $25/per angler fee for the state championship, which includes full TBF/FLW Outdoors membership benefits, and the onetime fee covers ALL SAF sanctioned events all year!

Anglers can also take advantage of a free online test offered at HighSchoolFishing.org that asks questions about boater safety, angler ethics, and conservation. Completion of this “angler test” will make those anglers eligible for contingency awards and prizes at their state championship event. SAF Program Manager, Alex Craw, states that, “The SAF Program was founded with an emphasis on promoting education through fishing and this angler testing component is designed to do exactly that. With our partnership with FLW Outdoors, these high school anglers will have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen. We’re very excited to be working with the Florida Bass Federation and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring this event to all student anglers in the state of Florida,” Craw said. “Without their passion and dedication to this sport, events like these simply wouldn’t exist!”

Event Details:

State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at Highschoolfishing.org OR BY PHONE 580.765.9031. Questions? Info@highschoolfishing.org or call 580.765.9031. If you have to you can register at the Mandatory Check-in on Friday, March 2 at 6pm. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org.

Mandatory Check-in: Friday, March 2, 6-7pm EST, at the Clarion Resort Waterpark & Conference Center, 2261 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida, 34744; Mandatory rules briefing to immediately follow at 7pm.

Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, March 3, at Kissimmee Lake Front Park in Kissimmee, Florida on Lake Toho. Takeoff & Weigh-in times will be announced at the Mandatory rules briefing.

Host Hotel: Clarion Resort Waterpark & Conference Center, 2261 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida, 34744; Guests should call 407.846.2221 or 1.866.9SLIDES and mention the SAF High School Tournament to make their reservation. All reservations must be made by February 17!

This is not new as I actually started 4 HS bass fishing clubs and was trying to get many others involved but it was harder here up north than in VA where it is recognized easier although my 4 schools that I started the clubs at  were for inner city children, the biggest was in Camden NJ.

What is new is that it is sanctioned and sponsored by THE FLW and TBF and they provide a coach and boat at the other levels. Get up with these guys and see if they can start one in their schools if they dont have one. Jonathan Miller is working with them also. 

What is not new is the idea as I had pitched this to BASS and never recieved a reply. This was also 3 years ago. Would be nice to work with the FLW on this but I need a paid position now after today's decisions.

Sml175 at February 3, 2012 at 7:57 PM

What is not new is the idea as I had pitched this to BASS and never recieved a reply. This was also 3 years ago. Would be nice to work with the FLW on this but I need a paid position now after today's decisions.

Hey Sam, find me a paid position while you are at it!!  lol

wish i was in highschool id jump all over this man. damn old age -_-

Student Angler Federation (SAF) - High School Fishing Registration is now open for the following 2012 SAF State Championships: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Texas, Mississippi, Virginia, and Florida. The first team to register will be Boat #1 and so on..... We will have 6-8 more state championships open for registration on Monday February 13! http://www.highschoolfishing.org/tournaments/2012-state-championships/