State high school fishing championship returns to Lake LBJ on March 14-16

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

HORSESHOE BAY — Lake LBJ becomes the hot spot of high school fishing March 14-16 when the 2014 Student Angler Federation Texas High School Fishing State Championship hits the water.

This is the second year in a row the Marble Falls High School Bass Fishing Team and Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce has hosted the event. Two-person teams made up of students in grades 9-12 will be competing for scholarships and prizes and a shot at the national championships later this year.

“Last year, we had 68 teams, and we believe this year we could see more,” said Lorna Ellis, a Marble Falls team sponsor and an event organizer.

The actual state championship is Saturday, March 15, on Lake LBJ with the take-off rom LBJ Yacht Club and Marina, 200 South Wirtz Dam Road, at safe light. The weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. at the same location.

Anglers start showing up at 6 p.m. Friday, March 14, for check-in at the Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive in Marble Falls.

On Sunday, March 16, there’s the Captains Challenge Charity Tournament, which will raise money for the scholarship fund.

But with possible several hundred people — anglers, family, coaches and boat captains — descending upon Marble Falls for the three-day event, sponsorships are a big part of its success.

“The sponsorships are what really make this possible and made it such a success and positive experience last year,” Ellis said. “We could definitely use more sponsors.”

Last year, the Leander Rouse High School team of Colton Mitchell and Dallin Bishop won the tournament with three bass weighing in at 15 pounds 13 ounces. The Marble Falls High School Fishing Team of Cole Van Brocklin and Tyler Rutherford finished fourth with five fishing weighing in at 15 pounds 3 ounces.

For sponsorship information, call the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce at (830) 693-2815.

daniel@thepicayune.com