HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Bass Federation announced Monday its field for the 2007 National Guard Junior World Championship on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Ark., Aug. 4-5 in conjunction with the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup.
The National Guard Junior World Championship will feature youth anglers representing 35 states fishing for $30,000 in scholarships plus youth-program grants for their states. Each participating state will be represented by two junior anglers: one in the 11 to 14 age bracket and another in the 15 to 18 age bracket.
“These junior anglers are much more than great anglers,” said TBF President Robert Cartlidge. “They are positive examples for their peers, and they represent the future of our sport. Learning to fish, through their state TBF clubs, provides these children with an outlet for clean family fun. It’s a great activity that they will enjoy for a lifetime.”
The junior anglers will each be paired with an FLW Tour pro for competition on Lake Hamilton. There will be three anglers to a boat: a junior angler from each age group plus an FLW Tour pro who will assist the junior anglers but will not fish. The two junior anglers will share control of the boat for the day but will compete in their respective age groups. The full field of junior anglers will compete Aug. 4 then be cut to the top angler in each age bracket from each of the TBF’s six geographic divisions. Weights will be zeroed Aug. 5 as six anglers in the 11 to 14 age bracket and six anglers in the 15 to 18 age bracket continue competition, with the winners determined by the heaviest catch from that day.
Takeoff will be held at Fish Hatchery Ramp located at 350 Fish Hatchery Road in Hot Springs beginning at 6:30 each morning and the weigh-ins will be held at 12:30 p.m. Aug.4 at the ramp and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 5 on the main Forrest Wood Cup stage in Summit Arena located at 134 Convention Blvd. in Hot Springs. Lake Hamilton will be off-limits to competitors July 30 through Aug. 3.
Designed to highlight the best up-and-coming bass fishing talent in the country, the National Guard Junior World Championship also provides national recognition for the positive activities pursued by America’s youth.
“We really want to thank the pro anglers who serve as mentors during the tournament,” said FLW/TBF Programs Manager David Simmons. “Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work and support of TBF youth directors and parents nationwide as well.”
First-place finishers in each age bracket will receive a $5,000 scholarship in addition to a sponsor merchandise package. Second-place finishers will receive $3,000 scholarships plus sponsor packages. Third-place finishers will receive $2,500 scholarships plus sponsor packages. Fourth-place finishers will receive $2,000 scholarships plus sponsor packages. Fifth-place finishers will receive $1,500 scholarships plus sponsor packages. Sixth-place finishers will receive $1,000 scholarships plus sponsor packages.
Additionally, FLW Outdoors, on behalf of the National Guard, will award $1,000 to each of the state TBF chapters represented by the six finalists in each age bracket. This money, totaling $12,000, will benefit each chapter’s youth program.
For more information about TBF Junior Angler programs, contact your state’s TBF chapter. A list of chapters can be found at Bassfederation.com. For more information about FLW Outdoors, the Forrest Wood Cup and the National Guard Junior World Championship, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. A complete list of youth anglers competing in the Junior World Championship is posted below.
