Florida High School Fishing State Championship Set for March 10
OutdoorHub 02.06.13
The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW and The Osceola County Department of Tourism announced today it will host the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Florida High School Fishing State Championship on Sunday, March 10. The event will be held in Osceola County on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla.,, launching out of Big Toho Marina.
The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org. Check-in begins takes place from 2:30-3:30pm EST on Saturday, March 9 at the BFL trailer at Big Toho Marina in Kissimmee, Fla.,, with a mandatory rules briefing to follow at 3:30pm EST after the BFL weigh-in.. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone in advance to avoid late registration fees.
Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is only $25/ year and includes full TBF and FLW benefits, including FLW Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The state champions from each state will advance to an FLW/TBF High School Fishing Conference Championship. Conference winners will advance to the FLW/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held in conjunction with the FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2014. All SAF members nationwide and all state championship participants automatically qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2013 High School Fishing World Finals. At these events students will compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Each team qualifying for a conference and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The National Champions will also receive a $5,000 scholarship each to use at the university of their choice.”Experience Kissimmee is very excited to once again host the Florida High School State Bass Fishing Championship on Lake Toho” commented Sports Development Director Don Miers. “High School fishing is definitely on the rise across the country as this event has grown every year and we are very excited to see how many teams from around the state contend at this year’s championship” added Miers.
If you’re not a current 2013 SAF member, there’s a one-time $25/per angler fee. This includes full TBF & FLW membership benefits for the year, as well as, free entry to ALL SAF sanctioned events!
Another unique feature of an SAF sanctioned event is the “angler testing” component. Anglers can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship. “Angler testing and education is an industry first by TBF,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, commented. “The Federation is driven by our desire to promote education through fishing and the testing component is designed to do exactly that. The Florida Bass Federation offers these young anglers and their parents a home to participate in the sport of fishing locally and year round. Our partnership with FLW provides more benefits and opportunities for them to take advantage of too,” Gintert continued. “For only $25 per year these young anglers and their families have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event Details:
State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at HighSchoolFishing.org. Boat numbers are determined by date registered. A $25 late registration fee applies to those registering at check-in. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org
Mandatory Check-in: Saturday, March 9, 2:30-3:30pm EST at the BFL trailer at Big Toho Marina located at 101 Lakeshore Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34741; rules briefing to follow at 3:30pm EST after the BFL weigh-in..
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Sunday, March 10 at Big Toho Marina, . Takeoff is at first light and weigh-in times will be announced at the Mandatory rules briefing. Questions? 580-765-9031
Host Hotel: Clarion Resort Waterpark & Conference Center, 2261 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Call 407-846-2221 for reservations and ask for the SAF High School State Championship group rate of $60.
