Youth Director
Ken Hackworth
Email:chief42402@msn.com
The 2011 BFNWV Jr. State Championship was held Saturday, June 11 at Sutton Lake. 13 Juniors comprising 2 Age Divisions competed for the title of “Champion.”
In the 11 – 14 Division, Mon Valley Jr. Bassmaster Alex Goff from Clendenin, WV is the Champion. Alex caught a limit of 5 bass weighing 6.63 lbs and was awarded a plaque and $75 Cabela’s gift card. 2010 Division Champion Zach Horrocks from Dixie, WV is the Runner-up. Zach is a member of New River Jr. Bassmasters and caught a limit weighing 5.58 lbs. Zach was awarded a plaque and $50 Cabela’s gift card. Zach also caught the Division Lunker, a 2.31 largemouth, and was awarded a $25 Cabela’s gift card.
In the 15 – 18 Division, Oak Hill, WV’s Dalton Jones is the Champion. Dalton, a member of New River Jr. Bassmasters, caught a limit of 5 largemouth weighing 7.48 lbs. Dalton was awarded a plaque and $75 Bass Pro Shops gift card. Mon Valley Jr. Bassmaster Landon Paul from Fairmont, WV is the Runner-up. Landon’s 4 bass weighed 5.25 lbs and he was awarded a plaque and $50 Bass Pro Shops gift card. The Division Lunker Award went to Horner, WV’s Mark Moran. The Mon Valley Jr. Bassmaster caught a 2.15 largemouth and was awarded a $25 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
In total, our 13 Juniors caught 38 keepers weighing 45.79 lbs. More importantly, all bass were released alive.
With their wins, Alex and Dalton become members of the 2012 BFNWV State Team and will represent us at the 2012 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Mid-Atlantic Division Championship next year in Maryland.
Many thanks to our event sponsor, Express One, LLC Delivery Service, for contributing all the gift cards that were awarded. And thank you to the members of BFNWV for their purchases of our logo items and their monetary & tackle donations. These actions enabled us to present very nice plaques and tackle packs to our anglers.
This event would not have been possible without the assistance of dedicated volunteers willing to donate their time, expertise, boats & gasoline. Thank you to our Boat Captains Tommy Horrocks, Randy Toler, Brian Paul, Chris Schomaker, Ralph Rinehart, Mike Moore, Jerod Harman, back-up Boat Captain Mike Goff and to Weighmaster Dana Brown for his help all day.
Please join me in congratulating all our Junior BASSers and volunteers for a job well done.
In our BFNWV Junior State Championship, Junior BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society) anglers from each Age Division are paired together with an adult Boat Captain. The Juiors choose where they fish and what artificial baits to use, but they are only permitted to use the electric trolling motor to maneuver the boat. The Boat Captain is the only one permitted to operate the boat while the outboard motor is running. Additionally, anytime the outboard motor is running, all aboard must be wearing a PFD (personal flotation device) and have it securely fastened. The Boat Captain must also have the motor kill switch lanyard securely attached to his body and is only permitted to operate the motor at a maximum of 4500 RPMs.
The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of West Virginia is a BASS‑affiliated organization currently comprised of 42 chapters with an approximate membership of 400 and growing. We consist of 3 state regions (Northern, Western & Southeastern) with an elected, volunteer 10‑member Board of Directors. As part of our creed, we promote conservation, sportsmanship and youth involvement. We sponsor 5 Buddy Trail, 1 Open Fun, 1 Open Co‑ed, 1 Open Adult/Youth, 1 Mr.BASS (All‑Star), 3 Regional State Championship Qualifier, 1 Jr. State Championship & 1 State Championship tournaments per year. These tournaments are held at multiple lakes and rivers throughout West Virginia. By virtue of their fishing prowess, our members have the opportunity to advance to fish the BassMaster Classic, the World Championship of Bass Fishing. Our website is
wvabassfederationnation.com.