Since the national introduction of High School Fishing by The Bass Federation (TBF) and FLW under the Student Angler Federation (SAF) umbrella in 2011, participation has more than doubled each year and three states (Kentucky, New Hampshire and Missouri) have joined Illinois in sanctioning bass fishing as an official high school sport. To accommodate rapidly growing demand, SAF will expand its slate of national High School Fishing events and enhance its existing lineup of state and conference championships in 2014.

This season, the top 10 percent of each High School Fishing state championship field will advance to a conference championship instead of just the state champions as in years past. The top 10 percent of each conference championship field in 2014 will also advance to the 2015 High School Fishing National Championship that will coincide with the TBF National Championship and a Walmart FLW Tour stop.

A series of national High School Fishing opens held at FLW Tour events will also be introduced for 2014. Each open will offer a conference championship berth to the winning team and qualify students for the High School Fishing World Finals.