Many of the anglers in Saturday’s Costa Bassmaster High School Southern Open talked of catching lots of bass in practice, only to strike out on tournament day.
But the opposite happened for Josh Powers and Cole Stewart.
After struggling most of the week to figure out Lake Martin in practice, the two juniors from Tennessee’s Grundy County High School Bass Team scored at just the right time, landing five fish Saturday that weighed 14 pounds, 4 ounces to top the 203-boat field.
They caught their fish from 60 feet of water, using D&L Jigs with Berkley Chigger Craws as trailers.
"We had a good, solid four days of practice here, and it was pretty rough," Powers said. "But today, we finally got on some fish in some real deep water, 60 feet. It was a good jig bite, and we caught just enough good fish to win."
Electronics played a big role in helping the anglers locate their fish – as did the patience that was mandated by their captain, Wesley Taylor.
Taylor had to force the anglers to rest and refuel during the mandatory 10-minute halftime period at 10:15 a.m., and he called seven of the eight allotted timeouts.
The halftime period is in place for anglers to drink fluids, eat snacks, rest and confer with their coaches, while timeouts are in the rulebook specifically to allow the anglers to ask the adults questions. Those are the only times anglers are allowed to talk with their adult coaches and captains about fishing strategy.
"They wanted to just keep fishing straight on through, and I had to make them stop," Taylor said. "Those seven timeouts probably helped me as much as they helped them. I couldn’t stand it. I was living and dying with every cast."
Stewart said things didn’t go their way all day.
"We lost a couple of good fish that could have really helped us in the long run," he said. "They were big fish that would have really pushed our weight up."
They were afraid the mishaps would hurt them at the scales, and they almost did.
One of the final few teams to weigh in was Bailey Fain and Justin Selvidge from Tennessee’s Lenoir City High School Bass Club. The two sophomores brought five bass to the scales that weighed 14-1, barely missing the mark set by Powers and Stewart. "Our day was kind of slow until halftime," Fain said.
"We only had two keepers at halftime, but we finished off a limit by about 12 o’clock and started culling by about 2:30. We only caught about six fish total all day."
Besides the usual calculation of pounds and ounces, a new feature of the tournament was the "Costa Moment." At each high school event, a moving act of courage, kindness or courtesy will be identified on stage and recognized for the honor.
The honor at this event went Mason Felps of the Cullman High School fishing team. Instead of his usual Cullman jersey, Felps wore the yellow jersey his father, Les, wore during his tournament days before he died of cancer back on Oct. 12, 2013.
Feb. 20 would have been his birthday.
"With his birthday coming up, I just felt like honoring him was the right thing to do," Mason said. "He meant the world to me."
A total purse of about $12,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to the field with checks made out to the high schools of the winning teams. A check in the amount of $1,500 was awarded to Grundy County High School in honor of Stewart and Powers’ victory.
The top five teams were also given sunglasses from Costa, the new title sponsor of the Bassmaster High School Series.
The top 20 boats in the field qualified for the national championship, which will be held at a site to be announced during next week’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
2015 Bassmaster High School Title Sponsor: Costa
2015 Bassmaster High School Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 Bassmaster High School Supporting Sponsor: Abu Garcia, Huk
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines, website television show, social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Costa Bassmaster High School Series-Southern Open
2/14/2015 – 2/14/2015
Lake Martin – Wind Creek State Park – Alexander City, AL
STANDINGS DAY 1
Day’s Activity Accumulative
Name Fish Live s – Oz Fish Lives – Oz
1 Cole Stewart – Josh PowGCHS 5 5 4- 4 5 5 14- 4
2 Bailey Fain – Justin SeLenoir City High 5 5 4- 1 5 5 14- 1
3 Zeke Gossett – Hayden BPell City High S 5 5 2-11 5 5 12-11
4 Fischer Keel – Auburn Anglers 5 5 1-13 5 5 11-13
5 Ryan Winchester – JustiClinton High Sch 5 5 1-10 5 5 11-10
6 Lucas Lindsay – Logan PAuburn Anglers 5 5 1- 8 5 5 11- 8
7 David Gaston – John McKSylacauga Fishin 5 5 1- 7 5 5 11- 7
8 J T Russell – Jared TurBriarwood High S 5 5 1- 2 5 5 11- 2
9 Will Nichols – ChristiaAlexandria High 5 5 0-12 5 5 10-12
9 Haynes Waid – Will GarrAuburn Anglers 5 5 0-12 5 5 10-12
11 Taylor Cox – Ben Muse Carrollton High 5 5 0- 8 5 5 10- 8
12 Sean Hall – Kyler McKieNorth Augusta Hi 5 5 0- 5 5 5 10- 5
13 Noah Pescitelli – ChrisMill Creek High 5 5 0- 0 5 5 10- 0
14 Dustin Johnston – TrevoBeulah Bass Team 4 4 9-14 4 4 9-14
15 Cole Burdeshaw – Jacob Headland Bass Te 5 5 9-11 5 5 9-11
16 Alex Heintze – Justin WLivingston Paris 5 5 9-10 5 5 9-10
16 Tristan Thomas – DakotaEast Hall Angler 5 5 9-10 5 5 9-10
18 Justin Barnes – Sutton Monroe Student B 5 5 9- 0 5 5 9- 0
19 Jonathon Wilburn – ConnGuntersville Hig 5 5 8-15 5 5 8-15
20 Kyle Ingleburger – KyleGrundy County HS 5 5 8-13 5 5 8-13
21 Tripp Hodges – Trae WriSylacauga Fishin 4 4 8-11 4 4 8-11
22 Koby Littrell – Martin Killen Student A 5 5 8-10 5 5 8-10
23 Daniel George – Cody MeOdenville Bass C 3 3 8-10 3 3 8-10
24 Zane Loveday – Erik WilChelsea Anglers 5 5 8- 8 5 5 8- 8
25 Drew Mitchum – Alan StuNorthside High S 5 5 8- 5 5 5 8- 5
26 Hank Lowrie – Daniel StGCHS 5 5 8- 4 5 5 8- 4
27 Tristan Hendrix – Seth Hoover High Scho 5 5 8- 1 5 5 8- 1
28 Will Brown – Trent PruiGlencoe Fishing 5 5 8- 0 5 5 8- 0
28 Tanner Jones – Clay TeaTuscaloosa Count 5 5 8- 0 5 5 8- 0
30 Ryan Foster – Joseph ScBeauregard High 5 5 7-15 5 5 7-15
30 Brian Rosenbalm – JacobAlexandria High 5 5 7-15 5 5 7-15
32 McKinley Prickett – SamAlexandria High 5 5 7-13 5 5 7-13
33 Cole Wood – Will Wood Jefferson High S 5 5 7-12 5 5 7-12
34 Adam Higgins – Weston PArab High School 3 3 7-12 3 3 7-12
35 Blake Albertson – DylanSouthside Angler 5 5 7-11 5 5 7-11
35 Hunter Silverstrim – NaQueen City High 5 5 7-11 5 5 7-11
37 John Evans Thrower – DyArab High School 4 4 7-11 4 4 7-11
38 Justin Glass – Jack MarACA 5 5 7-10 5 5 7-10
39 Chad Simpson – Brad KinValley High Scho 5 5 7- 39 5 5 7- 9
39 Steven Younginer – JameSouth Florence H 5 5 7- 9 5 5 7- 9
41 Josh Wissinger – JustinHayden High Scho 4 4 7- 7 4 4 7- 7
42 Joseph Lacy – Breanna WPell City High S 5 5 7- 6 5 5 7- 6
43 Luke Barrett – Caz AndeWNC High School 5 5 7- 5 5 5 7- 5
44 Matt Holmes – Luker DavAuburn Anglers 4 4 7- 2 4 4 7- 2
45 Jesse Sconyers – Tyler ACA 5 5 7- 0 5 5 7- 0
46 Preston Crowley – WesleTuscaloosa Count 5 5 6-13 5 5 6-13
46 Grant Ray – Matthew RamTuscaloosa Count 5 5 6-13 5 5 6-13
46 Garrett Stevens – AndreOla High School 5 5 6-13 5 5 6-13
49 Daniel Coyle – Kory KieACA 5 5 6-12 5 5 6-12
49 Trevor Hull – Kyle HandBrookwood High S 5 5 6-12 5 5 6-12
49 Hunter Porter – Cade CrHillcrest High S 5 5 6-12 5 5 6-12
49 Corey Whaley – Dylan GiBeulah Bass Team 5 5 6-12 5 5 6-12
53 Dailus Richardson – TreIL – Benton High 5 5 6- 7 5 5 6- 7
54 Matthew Brown – ChristiCorbin High Scho 3 3 6- 7 3 3 6- 7
55 Noah Bentley – Dustin TBrookwood High S 5 5 6- 5 5 5 6- 5
56 Dozier Greer – Joe KoonEufaula High Bas 5 5 6- 2 5 5 6- 2
57 Ryan Nottingham – Seth Valley High Scho 5 5 5-15 5 5 5-15
58 Walker Davidson – Zach Auburn Anglers 2 2 5-15 2 2 5-15
59 Tanner Shelton – ReeceeHayden High Scho 5 5 5-13 5 5 5-13
60 Beau Ashcraft – Shawn ZWabash Valley Ba 5 5 5-12 5 5 5-12
61 Sam Barwick – Maximus BGuntersville Hig 5 5 5-11 5 5 5-11
62 Jake Smith – Kody Kite Cullman High Sch 3 3 5-11 3 3 5-11
63 Chace Gregory – Scott YHelena High Scho 5 5 5-10 5 5 5-10
64 Dalton Reeves – Evan BoNorth Augusta Hi 4 4 5-10 4 4 5-10
65 Caleb Dennis – Sloan PeFayetteville Hig 3 3 5-10 3 3 5-10
65 Payton Woolley – Davis Northridge High 3 3 5-10 3 3 5-10
67 Levi Burr – Caden BelchAmerican Christi 5 5 5- 9 5 5 5- 9
68 John Turner – Miller JaHillcrest High S 5 5 5- 8 5 5 5- 8
69 Colson McCool – Cole LaHillcrest High S 4 4 5- 8 4 4 5- 8
70 Jacob Graydon – Alec EtHelena High Scho 4 4 5- 6 4 4 5- 6
71 Colby Williams – Avery Hillcrest High S 4 4 5- 5 4 4 5- 5
72 Zach Weiss – Chase GuntAuburn Anglers 3 3 5- 5 3 3 5- 5
73 Bailey Nelson – John JuHillcrest High S 5 5 5- 4 5 5 5- 4
73 Stephen Williams – AmelVestavia High Sc 5 5 5- 4 5 5 5- 4
75 Davis Miller – Spencer Tuscaloosa Count 3 3 5- 4 3 3 5- 4
76 Jacob George – Ryan SweOdenville Bass C 4 4 5- 3 4 4 5- 3
77 Brandon Green – Race LaPlainview High S 5 5 5- 2 5 5 5- 2
78 Dylan Pugh – Chance DraEufaula High Bas 3 3 5- 2 3 3 5- 2
79 Sully Jeter – Delaney JBriarwood Christ 4 4 5- 1 4 4 5- 1
80 Brenn Holloway – ParkerHarris County Hi 3 3 5- 1 3 3 5- 1
81 Colton Mechan – Dylan BAlexandria High 2 2 5- 0 2 2 5- 0
82 Cassandra Gifford – JC Eufaula High Bas 5 5 4-15 5 5 4-15
83 Zach Martin – Cody ArmsHayden High Scho 3 3 4-15 3 3 4-15
83 Kyle Woodruff – Wesley Guntersville Hig 3 3 4-15 3 3 4-15
85 Caleb New – Dax Ewart Tuscaloosa Count 4 4 4-14 4 4 4-14
86 Joey Rush – Tyler OswalTuscaloosa Count 2 2 4-14 2 2 4-14
87 Jackson Elder – Drake MAmerican Christi 4 4 4-13 4 4 4-13
87 Seth Ward – Garrett WarHoover High Scho 4 4 4-13 4 4 4-13
89 Easton Samples – Drew SPlainview High S 1 1 4-12 1 1 4-12
90 Peyton McCord – Aaron CHeadland Bass Te 3 3 4-10 3 3 4-10
91 Laura Ann Foshee – JordGardendale Rocke 2 2 4-10 2 2 4-10
92 Blake Bomar – Chris WalAlexander High S 2 2 4- 9 2 2 4- 9
93 Austin Hamner – Northside High S 4 4 4- 8 4 4 4- 8
94 Dalton Tankersley – ZacWNC High School 3 3 4- 8 3 3 4- 8
95 DJ Barber – Reid ConnorGardendale Rocke 3 3 4- 5 3 3 4- 5
95 John Johnson – Dax MassSipsey Valley Hi 3 3 4- 5 3 3 4- 5
95 Dalton Summers – PeytonGCHS 3 3 4- 5 3 3 4- 5
98 Josh Jordan – Logan WilChiles High Fish 2 2 4- 5 2 2 4- 5
99 Zack Allen – Andrew ShaPlainview High S 4 4 4- 4 4 4 4- 4
99 Justin Fausnight – DaltACA 4 4 4- 4 4 4 4- 4
99 Hunter Shell – Ryan ParPell City High S 4 4 4- 4 4 4 4- 4
102 Ben Coots – Luke Kirby Plainview High S 3 3 4- 3 3 3 4- 3
103 Buck Burns – Clint DailSipsey Valley Hi 2 2 4- 1 2 2 4- 1
104 Austin Brown – Bailey DPlainview High S 3 3 3-15 3 3 3-15
105 David Ackerman – JoshuaSouth Florence H 3 3 3-12 3 3 3-12
105 Owen Kuhn – John Smith Chiles High Fish 3 3 3-12 3 3 3-12
107 Wes Gallops – Elliot ToACA 3 3 3-11 3 3 3-11
107 Will Miller – Connor EdAmerican Christi 3 3 3-11 3 3 3-11
109 Brandon Zark – Austin STuscaloosa Count 2 2 3-11 2 2 3-11
110 Tyler Presnell – CameroEFCA FISHING TEA 3 3 3-10 3 3 3-10
111 Justin Lowery – Jaiden Cullman High Sch 2 2 3-10 2 2 3-10
112 Braxton Williams – GageTuscaloosa Count 3 3 3- 9 3 3 3- 9
113 Davis Hammett – Nick ArHoover High Scho 3 3 3- 8 3 3 3- 8
114 Ean Davis – Chris MastePell City High S 2 2 3- 7 2 2 3- 7
115 Ace Johnson – Dawson DrCULLMAN HIGH SCH 3 3 3- 6 3 3 3- 6
116 Dakota Green – Steven DHayden High Scho 3 3 3- 4 3 3 3- 4
116 Adam Puckett – Keaton GBloomington High 3 3 3- 4 3 3 3- 4
118 Korin Lolley – Shelby PRehobeth Bass Cl 4 4 3- 2 4 4 3- 2
119 Preston Kendrick – GunnGardendale Rocke 3 3 3- 1 3 3 3- 1
119 MacKenzie Pennington – Fayetteville Hig 3 3 3- 1 3 3 3- 1
120 Hunter Rundquist – BradAuburn Anglers 3 3 3- 0 3 3 3- 0
122 Garrett Battles – TraviBrookwood High S 2 2 2-15 2 2 2-15
123 Cole Cranford – Andy KeArab High School 3 3 2-13 3 3 2-13
123 Clay Evans – Will O’RouJefferson County 3 3 2-13 3 3 2-13
125 Tanner Bohannon – Hillcrest High S 2 2 2-12 2 2 2-12
126 Dylan Corder – Landyn SBrookwood High S 1 1 2-11 1 1 2-11
127 Logan Shelton – Ethan PNorthside High S 3 3 2- 8 3 3 2- 8
128 Brock Ware – Tate Dark Auburn Anglers 2 2 2- 8 2 2 2- 8
129 Hunter Wilkins – DaltonHillcrest High S 2 2 2- 7 2 2 2- 7
130 Cade Holcomb – Andrew PHelena High Scho 2 2 2- 6 2 2 2- 6
131 Grant Rogers – Josh FonBrookwood High S 1 1 2- 6 1 1 2- 6
132 David Dueland – Mason FCullman High Sch 1 1 2- 5 1 1 2- 5
133 Chris Cygan – Hayden RiDar Fishing Patr 2 2 2- 4 2 2 2- 4
133 Laney Skipper – Taylor Rehobeth Bass Cl 2 2 2- 4 2 2 2- 4
135 Mitch Drummond – Colby Sipsey Valley Hi 2 2 2- 3 2 2 2- 3
135 Matthew Maynard – ConnoHoover High Scho 2 2 2- 3 2 2 2- 3
137 Matthew Kenedy – Logan Arab High School 1 1 2- 3 1 1 2- 3
138 Kaleb Ballard – Will DeHillcrest High S 2 2 2- 2 2 2 2- 2
138 Kaleb Davis – Dalton CrHelena High Scho 2 2 2- 2 2 2 2- 2
138 Drew Traffanstedt – JusHoover High Scho 2 2 2- 2 2 2 2- 2
138 Seth Utt – Kenda Moody WNC High School 2 2 2- 2 2 2 2- 2
142 Andrew Calvin – Will HaTuscaloosa Count 2 2 2- 1 2 2 2- 1
142 Cameron Glasscock – LawCullman High Sch 2 2 2- 1 2 2 2- 1
144 Connor Roberson – JustiSylacauga Fishin 1 1 2- 0 1 1 2- 0
145 Chase Heisler – CourtneCullman High Sch 2 2 1-15 2 2 1-15
146 Dylan Strawder – JosephBeulah Bass Team 1 1 1-15 1 1 1-15
147 Tommy Floyd JR – Chris South Florence H 2 2 1-13 2 2 1-13
148 Tyler Green – Hunter HaGardendale Rocke 2 2 1-12 2 2 1-12
149 Hunter Cullefer – MarkeHarris County Hi 1 1 1- 9 1 1 1- 9
150 Alex Cook – Adrian GoocGardendale Rocke 1 1 1- 8 1 1 1- 8
151 Logan Hallyburton – AndAuburn Anglers 1 1 1- 7 1 1 1- 7
152 Cole Dodson – Jordan McGardendale Rocke 1 1 1- 6 1 1 1- 6
152 Dara Hand – Caitlin KuyVinemont High Sc 1 1 1- 6 1 1 1- 6
152 Hunter Powers – Trent JRehobeth Bass Cl 1 1 1- 6 1 1 1- 6
155 Cade Barnes – Matt ShirTuscaloosa Count 1 1 1- 3 1 1 1- 3
155 Cal Culpepper – Bailey Harris County Hi 1 1 1- 3 1 1 1- 3
155 Jordan Mullis – Tyler MSouthside Angler 1 1 1- 3 1 1 1- 3
158 Troy Benefield – NathanHillcrest High S 1 1 1- 2 1 1 1- 2
158 Griffin Thrash – EveretHoover High Scho 1 1 1- 2 1 1 1- 2
160 Cody Rosen – Gage Mays Eufaula High Bas 1 1 1- 0 1 1 1- 0
161 Tyler Harless – Andy PeHelena High Scho 1 1 0-15 1 1 0-15
161 Zac Nix – Colby White Arab High School 1 1 0-15 1 1 0-15
163 Colin Nease – AUBURN ANGLERS 1 1 0-14 1 1 0-14
163 Gabe Sanford – Tyler BiNorthside High S 1 1 0-14 1 1 0-14
165 Web Sartain – Hayden KeSipsey Valley Hi 1 1 0-13 1 1 0-13
166 Drew Cumbie – Brandon QRehobeth Bass Cl 1 1 0-11 1 1 0-11
167 Brady Adcock – Calvin LGuntersville Hig 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Taylor Ashley – Chase KHayden High Scho 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jared Baker – Jake StalWhitewater High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Zach Buchanan – Headland Bass Te 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Owen Carpenter – BrandoAmerican Christi 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Eli Chambers – Hunter HVinemont High Sc 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Andrew Chapman – Ryan CHeadland Bass Te 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Clay Coghlan – Terry KiGatlinburg-Pittm 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Carl Cooke – Justin CamCarrollton High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Dru Davis – Jake Young Alexandria High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jack English – Logan PhAmerican Christi 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Peyton Erwin – Andrew FGardendale Rocke 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Andrew Fisher – Chance Alexandria High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Tyler Franks – Coby McLGardendale Rocke 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Chyna Gable – Grant HenVinemont High Sc 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Grayson Hanson – Jesse Pell City High S 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Samuel Hayworth – ParkeAuburn Anglers 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Kalee Jones – Keegan JoHillcrest High S 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 William Knapp – Cooper Huntsville High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Taylor Manning – Ethan ACA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jake Mims – Jace GarretAlexander High S 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Levi Nelson – Tanner BrHillcrest High S 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Beau Nelson – Cody PerkAmerican Christi 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Tyler Price – Garrett HRhea County High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Devyn Putman – Gardendale Rocke 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Ethan Reed – Shelton BaOdenville Bass C 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Seth Roberts – Dawson HCampbell County 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Sydney Shields – Vinemont High Sc 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Ryan Shields – Austin HHazel Green High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jaci Skipper – Tyler MeRehobeth Bass Cl 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Chace Stancil – Markus Beauregard High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Andrew Stanley – TraytoAmerican Christi 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Nathan Walley – Caleb PHeidelberg Acade 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Garrett Whitney – CobieCullman High Sch 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Austin Winter – Zac GibLenoir City High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Victoria Woods – Gabe OSylacauga Fishin 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Allyson Wooten – Cole WGardendale Rocke 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Craig Zoellner – TuckerWhitewater High 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
BIG BASS TOTALS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz Day Fish Live Lbs-Oz Limits
1 Adam Higgin ARAB, AL 4-14 1 557 557 66- 3 59
By: Helen Northcutt
