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Youth Director Vincent
Dellolio
813-598-4419 or
by email at cdellolio@msn.com
One of the most
dynamic and exciting opportunities BASS has created for Junior
anglers is the Junior
Bassmaster World Championship! Just like Mom or Dad competing
in the BASS Federation
Nation club competitions, this program
allows Junior members to compete in a club level, ultimately
qualifying for their Junior Bassmaster State Championship.
The
competition program mirrors the BASS Federation tournament structure,
with one exception. Junior Bassmasters "do not" have
Divisional competitions due to age groups. Through competition,
Junior Bassmasters can earn a birth to the Jr. Bassmaster World
Championship, a Bassmaster Classic all their own. And guess
where this World Championship takes place? At the CITGO
Bassmaster Classic! For two days, pro anglers competing in the CITGO Bassmaster
Classic serve as mentors and boat captains during the Junior
Bassmaster World Championship, piloting the high-tech Classic
rigs from take-off until weigh-in. Pros are randomly paired with
the Junior competitors for the competition.
Day one is a practice
day where both the Juniors and the Pros enjoy a day of fishing
and learning from one another. Day two is the official Junior
Bassmaster World Championship tournament day. Once the official
tournament begins, the Junior Bassmasters operate the boat equipment,
including the trolling motor and rely solely on their own their
fishing skills and knowledge, with no input from the pros.
More
than $135,000 in cash, awards, prizes and scholarships are given
to state and club chapters, contenders and families annually.
Plus, the two champions receive a fully rigged boat motor and
trailer packages from Triton/Mercury, Lowrance and MotorGuide
in addition to paying for rooms of all the competitors.
The
Junior anglers earn their way to the Jr. Bassmaster World Championship
arrive by way of clubs located throughout America,
Canada and South Africa. In Jr. Clubs, children are taught to
fish better and how conservation measures will ensure fishing
for future generations.
Jr.
Clubs are sponsored by adult Federation Nation Clubs with members
of the adult clubs acting as mentors and educators for
these young outdoorsmen. Besides learning about BASS, they also
gain knowledge of how to manage Federation clubs through parliamentary
procedure. Additionally, Junior members gain skills from "How-To" Clinics,
Educational Workshops based on conservation, good fishing ethics,
catch-and-release and habitat restoration. Junior members also
get involved with youth tournaments, adopt waterways, Bassmaster
CastingKids programs and community service projects. It's easy
to see that the future of the sport is going to be in well groomed
hands.
It's not all about
the competition though. BASS is also the leader when it comes
to having fun,
educating youth and preserving the
future of the sport. The Bassmaster Family Fest is a fun filled
event. This event began in 1990 and has turned into an annual
fishing outreach festival, held each year with CITGO Bassmaster
Classic. This event has become a community favorite at every
city it has visited. The Family Fest popularity has grown beyond
the local community and draws neighboring cities out of doors
for a wholesome recreational outlet that people just can't seem
to get enough of.
Downloadable documents
• Sugested
Bylaws for a Junior BASS Club (PDF)
• Junior
BASS Club Application for Affiliation (PDF)
• Suggestions
for a Junior Bassmaster Chapter (PDF)
• Junior
BASS Club Letter of Authorization (PDF)
