Kansas BASS Nation 2013 Youth 2man Team State Championship

The top eight youth teams showed up at Council Grove City Lake on July 28 for the Kansas BASS Nation Youth 2man Team State Championship. From the first Qualifying tournament held on Cedar Valley Lake near Garnett, Kansas were Robert McNutt and Tate Galloway; Nick Luna and Cole Miller (Cole could not make the State Championship); Austin Clements and Clayton Gerbranct; and Logan Folse and Cole Tullis. From the second Qualifying tournament held on Wilson Reservoir were Andrew Almquist and Daniel Wiens; Dalton Roberts and Ethan Fulmer; Zach Vielhauer and Travis Eckstrom; and Connor Nimrod (fishing by himself).

While July can be a hot, humid month, the day of the championship saw a cold front move through. The high temperature of the day was 68 degrees. Couple that with rain the entire day long, and it seems the fish just did not know what to do. Another issue for the anglers was the fact that the lake has a 13” to 18” slot limit. Only fish shorter than 13” or longer than 18” could be brought to the scales.

At the weigh in it was evident that the weather and the slot limit made for a tough day; although all the teams did get to bring fish to the scales. The top four places all got medals; the winning team also got plaques and will receive KBN Youth State Champion jackets. In addition there was a Big Bass Award, and a Second Big Bass Award.

In fourth was the team of Robert McNutt and Tate Galloway with 2.84 pounds. Third place went to Austin Clements and Clayton Gerbrandt with 3.63 pounds. Second place, fishing by himself, was Connor Nimrod with 4.24 pounds.

The Kansas BASS Nation 2013 Youth 2man Team State Champions are Nick Luna and Cole Miller. Even though Cole couldn’t make the tournament, his partner Nick Luna won the event with 4.80 pounds.

The Second Big Bass Award went to the team of Dalton Roberts and Ethan Fulmer with 2.59 pounds. They received a selection of soft plastics and their boater/coach received a gallon of Mercury oil.

The Big Bass Ward went to Connor Nimrod with 3.80 pounds. He received a collection of items donated by Cabela’s, including two spools of Cabela’s Pro line monofilament, six Cabela’s Pork Chop crank baits and two packages of Cabela’s Go-to plastic worms. Connor’s boater/coach received a gallon of Mercury oil and a bottle of Eagle One Wax-as-U-Dry.

Once again thanks go to the McPherson youth bass club for providing the tournament staff with a nice meal of hamburgers, beans, chips and brownies.

Thanks also go to Joel Porter, the KBN Tournament Director, and KBN State Team Member Matthew Waller for their help with the weigh in.

Thanks to all this year’s anglers, parents, family, youth leaders, volunteers, and boater/coaches. Without all your support none of this could be possible.

Don’t forget the KBN Open Youth Team Tournament on September 8 at Wilson Reservoir. Go to the Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation’s website at www.ksbassnation.com to learn more about the organization and Open Youth Team Bass tournament.