Kentucky High School Fishing State Championship set for May 5

Championship to be held on Kentucky Lake

MURRAY, KY – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW, the Bluegrass State Games and Murray State University has announced that the 2012 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Kentucky High School Fishing State Championship will be held Saturday, May 5 on Kentucky Lake at Kenlake Marina in Hardin, KY.

The tournament is open to all Kentucky ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students, including home schooled students, that are Student Angler Federation members. SAF membership cost $25 per year and includes a digital subscription to FLW Bass Fishing magazine, insurance coverage while competing in SAF events (including the option to add a school as additionally insured), an exclusive online fishing education program, discounts on Coast Guard approved boater safety courses and many other benefits. Students 16 and older are also eligible to win great prizes in the monthly FLW Giveaway.

The Kentucky High School Fishing State Championship is a two-person team event. Multiple teams representing the same school are encouraged. Registration for teams and their “coach,” who will provide a boat and accompany the team on the water, is open online by clicking here. Onsite registration runs 4-6 p.m. Central time on Friday, May 4, at Murray State University’s Curris Center Theater located on the third floor of the Curris Center. A mandatory rules briefing will follow at 6:30 p.m. All teams are encouraged to register online in advance to avoid late onsite registration fees.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) recently announced that high school bass fishing will be a sanctioned sport activity starting with the 2012-2013 school year.

“To say we are excited to sponsor bass fishing as a state championship sport-activity is an understatement,” KHSAA commissioner Julian Tackett said. “Not only does it seem like a natural fit, given the number of Kentuckians of all ages who enjoy fishing and the outdoors, but it also allows us to reach one more group of students who may not already participate in an extra-curricular activity and give them a chance to be a part of a team.”

The 2012 Kentucky High School Fishing State Championship is also part of the Bluegrass State Games.

“We are very excited to partner with Murray State and FLW to add High School Fishing to the Bluegrass State Games,” said Terry Johnson, executive director of the Bluegrass Sports Commission. “We provide Kentuckians of all ages with a wide array of sports in which to compete, and the momentum High School Fishing will gain as a result of its addition as a varsity sport activity by the KHSAA makes it a natural fit.”

The winning team will advance to a High School Fishing Conference Championship held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Conference Championship this fall. Conference Championship winners then advance to the High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2013. Each member of the winning team at the High School Fishing National Championship will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Each team that qualifies for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses.

All SAF members and state championship participants also qualify for the largest event in High School Fishing, the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals, where they will compete for thousands of dollars in college scholarships and prizes.

2012 Kentucky High School Fishing State Championship Details:

Online Registration: Register online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Boat numbers are determined by registration date, so don’t delay. A $25 late registration fee applies to those registering onsite.

Onsite Registration: All teams must check-in Friday, May 4 between 4-6 p.m. Central time at Murray State University’s Curris Center Theater located on the third floor at 314 Curris Center, Murray, KY 42071. A mandatory rules briefing will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Takeoff & Weigh-in: Saturday, May 5 at Kenlake Marina, 888 Kenlake Marina Lane, Hardin, KY 42048. Takeoff is at 6:30 a.m. Central time and weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Questions: Contact Walter Haney at [email protected] or 270-252-1575 or Alex Craw at [email protected] or 580-765-9031.

About FLW

FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2012 over the course of 191 tournaments across five tournament circuits, each providing an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and the world’s richest fantasy sports game – FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Bass Federation

The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those its serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years. Visit bassfederation.com.