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Goff and Taylor Win Biggest WVBASS Youth Tournament Ever
By Chris Lawrence
(SUTTON) -- Rain peppered the parking lot at Sutton Lake's Bee Run Ramp as anglers pulled "motor-totors",
boat covers, and dug for rain gear and life jackets in the dry storage bins of 40-bass boats. Some of the looks
were a bit unusual for a day at a West Virginia Bass Federation Tournament. Some of the rain suits looked a little
baggy since most were hand-me-downs and loaners from dad or granddad. It was how the day would begin for the 2001
W.V. Bass Federation Jim Catherman Memorial Youth Tournament.
"Heck of a way to break in these little ones," commented one "guide" for the day as he plopped
down the 35-dolllars to cover the youngster's entry fee and lunker pot for the day.
The rain was one of the factors tournament organizers cannot control, but other normal rules were a bit relaxed
as the slot limit was lowered from 12" to 10" and check-in was 1:00 rather than the normal 4:00.
"How about live bait?" Asked one laughing father.
"We can't go quite that far." Noted WV Bass Federation President John Burdette.
The 7:00 launch was a bit late getting started-namely because 80-percent of the field couldn't drive and therefore
it was up to Dad or Pappy to not only back the boat in-but drive out. It was an obstacle few minded in the interest
of getting to see a smiling face ready to tackle tournament competition head on.
"You ready to catch some fish?" Youth Director Sarge Travis asked one excited young man.
"Oh yeah!" came the reply. "He's been talking about this day for two months." said an equally
excited dad.
The weather cooperated shortly after the launch leaving clearing skies to the southwest, which brought sunshine
and pleasant humidity for the day. The fish seemed to cooperate too as several teams brought eight-fish limits
to the scales following the shortened day on the water.
Smiles abounded as young arms struggled to heave the weigh-in bags of water and bass up to the waiting scales of
Director Steve Jackson.
"You caught every one of those, didn't you!!!" Chided Jackson at each youngster bringing fish to the
scales. "Dad just drove the boat didn't he?" Sheepish grins soon ensued as dozens of little eyes struggled
to peer from tiptoes over the edge of the weigh-in table and into the swirling waters holding bass in the release
tank.
To spread the wealth, the youths were divided into two divisions-12-years old and younger and 13-to-17. For the
second straight year the younger division posted the heaviest weight. Erica Goff's 8lbs-9oz bag had a few adults
wondering why they couldn't bring such a handsome stringer to the scales once in a while.
"We caught them on mostly plastics on the main lake." Noted dad Mike Goff.
Although a little shy to questioning the young Erica noted she enjoyed the day on the water with Dad and loves
to fish. Kalie Ferrel notched second place with help from boat driver Hobie Butcher with 7lbs.
The winner of the older age group is no stranger to competition. Casey Taylor of Gallopolis, OH rode into Sutton
with Jim Merical on a mission.
"I fish the Ohio River a lot, but this is the first time I've fished here. I caught one of them on a Yo-Zuri
Pop-n-Splash on top, the rest came on plastic lizards."
Taylor's eight fish tipped the scales a 6 lbs.-15 ounces. It's Taylor's first win in a series of near misses.
"I've gone to the Ohio Federation's state casting competition championships for three years and every year
I've just missed winning it by a point or two."
Finishing second in the older division was Nathan Lancaster with 5lbs-12oz.
Both Taylor and Goff also scored the lunker fish in their respective divisions.
Enjoying the WVBF sponsored cookout afterward everybody again took notice that current members are picking up gray
hair and age. If we expect tournament fishing to last, it's imperative that more young anglers get involved. Judging
from the 40-boat turnout, the largest turnout ever for the tournament, that goal is well within reach.
One of the missions of the West Virginia Bass Federation since its formation has been involving more children in
fishing. One of the pioneers of the state's federation in that effort was Bridgeport's Jim Catherman. The Federation
honored Catherman's contributions to the WVBF Children's program a few years ago by naming the annual youth tournament
in his honor. The "Jim Catherman Memorial Youth Tournament" has been a favorite weekend for numerous
children across the state who often get their first taste of competitive bass fishing in this event. |
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