TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
to one of three regional competitions, all hoping to earn a spot at the two-day state championship. But it isn’t just about titles or trophies. Matt Tolnay, CEO of Operations at the Texas High School Bass Association, proudly shares, “Over $7,000 in scholarships and prizes combined are awarded at each tournament. Of that, $4,000 is given in scholarships alone. We are awarding $63,000 in scholarships at the championship, plus prizes, and $45,000 in scholarships and prizes at regionals. Altogether, the organization distributes over $500,000 in scholarships and prizes each season.” Pleasant Grove, Liberty-Eylau, Fouke, and Genoa compete in the Ark-La-Tex Bassmaster tournaments, an organization that encompasses Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The local
organization averages around 92 boats per tournament and even welcomes junior-high students to compete. Jason Townsend, director of Ark-La-Tex Bassmaster, explained, “We provide opportunities for youth to earn college scholarships through fishing, and we have given out over $10,000 in scholarships this year alone. Our anglers also have the chance to compete in a national championship through Bassmaster, where they can win full-ride scholarships to college. We have had three full rides awarded through the Ark-La-Tex Bassmaster High School and Junior Fishing Trail, located right here in Texarkana. It is a platform where kids of different ages can compete and earn scholarships.”
Presley Jo Cook and Brody Baber fish a Bassmaster Open sending them to Bassmaster Junior High School Nationals in 2023. Zaydin Wooten and Jaxon Thomas with one of their many limits at a Ark-La-Tex Bassmaster Tournament.
photos by Lisa Cook Photography
(left) Gavin Goben of the Liberty Eylau Fishing Team shows off a large catch. (below) James Crain and Jaylon Blackwell— members of the Liberty-Eylau Fishing team, find a honey hole on Wright Patman Lake.
Whether competing in THSBA or Ark-La-Tex Bassmaster, both organizations offer big dreams—a shot at a title and money for college. But winning is harder than just casting out a line on the banks of the lake. Texarkana anglers compete against hundreds of other fishermen, all chasing the same prize. Victory demands skill, endurance, commitment, and knowledge. The day before a tournament, teams often pre-fish, exploring the lake, familiarizing themselves with the landscape, and hoping to find a honey hole for the next day. If they find a coveted spot, the team will wake before dawn, launch the boat under the stars, and sit in the dark to claim their spot. At 5 a.m., the angler partners cast their first lines. These young men and women will then begin the eleven-hour dance of cast, hook, reel, and inspect—again and again. The goal is simple—land five of the biggest bass. By 4 p.m., all teams must report for weigh-in. Anglers are greeted by a rainbow of tents filled with friends and family to cheer them on. Grabbing a net bag, the fishing duo places their fish into a water trough. After their names are announced, the partners clamber onto the stage, present their fish to the crowd’s “oohs” and “aahs,” and hold their breath as they watch the red numbers flash the weight of their bounty. Based on the declared weight, audience members crane their necks to glimpse the updated leaderboard. The flash of their name on the screen doesn’t just provide pride in a job well done, but also the chance of winning large sums of money and a chance for a title. Texas High fishing team sponsor Keith Jones said, “Fishing has gotten really big over the last few years. All the tournaments we fish have 150-200 teams. Fishing is something you can do for the rest of your life. You can have fun doing it by yourself, with your
photos courtesy of LEISD
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