Ethan Howard and Brock Johnson advance to the 2013 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Southern Divisional.
(Pictured Above: Brock Johnson, Clayton Bassmasters Youth Director – Randy Parker, and Ethan Howard)
The 2012 NCBFN State Youth Tournament was held June 2nd and 3rd on Lake Gaston. Seventeen anglers competed representing four different clubs: Archdale, Clayton, Sandy Creek, and Southfork. The anglers were divided into two age groups 11 – 14 and 15 – 18.
In the 11-14 age bracket Ethan Howard of Clayton B.A.S.S. club won with a two day total of 14.77 pounds. Luke Farley of Sandy Creek finished 2nd with 14.51 pounds and Justin Grigg of Southfork finished 3rd with 9.21 pounds.
In the 15 – 18 age group Brock Johnson of Clayton B.A.S.S. Club finished first with a two day total of 21.86 pounds. Chris Shulstad of Southfork finished 2nd with 15.02 pounds and Carson Orelanna finished 3rd with 11.53 pounds.
Big bass honors went to Hunter Mizeur and Brock Johnson both of Clayton B.A.S.S. Club. Hunter had the big bass on day 1 weighing 4.43 pounds and Brock’s lunker on day 2 weighed 6.45 pounds.
Ethan was in 3rd place after day 1 bringing 3 fish to the scales weighing 5.19 pounds. Day 1 leader Justin Grigg had 7.07 pounds and Tyler Brown was in second place with 5.88 pounds.
Day 2 Ethan caught 4 fish that weighed 9.58 pounds giving him a .26 pound margin of victory. The majority of Ethan’s fish came using a jig focusing on docks. Ethan has been fishing since he was five years old. His passion for bass fishing began when he was seven years old. He has only been fishing competitively for two years. He is very thankful for the guidance he has received from Ed Collier and Jeff Narron of the Five County Bassmasters. He also is blessed with two parents that are very supportive of his passion for fishing. He said “without my Mom and Dad I would not have the opportunities that I have.” Ethan is also thankful for being able to be a part of the Clayton B.A.S.S. Club. He attends middle school in a different county, but this youth Bass Club is the only one in the area and has afforded him the opportunity to gain experience through a variety of tournaments.
Brock was in 4th place after day 1 weighing in 2 fish that totaled 4.29 pounds. Day 1 leader Chris Shulstad had 11.78 pounds. Carson Orelanna was in second place after day 1 with 6.78 pounds, and Hunter Mizeur was in 3rd place with 5.90 pounds. Day 2 Brock brought a 5 fish limit weighing 17.57 pounds giving him more than 6 pound lead on Day 1 leader Chris Shulstad. Brock said he has been fishing since he was 4 or 5. He has only been fishing competitively for a little over a year. His passion for bass began when he was 10 years old. He used flukes and a Pop-R to catch his fish on Sunday, targeting shallow water points. His fish on Day 1 came off of docks using a shallow crankbait. Brock wanted to thank Randy Parker for allowing there to be a bass club at the high school that gave him the opportunity to begin fishing tournaments. He also gave credit to Perry Doan a member of the Five County Bassmasters that Brock has had the opportunity to fish with several times. “Mr. Perry has taught me a lot about bass fishing.” Brock thanked his Dad for affording him and other members of the club to be able to fish this tournament. He drove them back and forth to the tournament and made sure they had plenty to eat and a place to stay.
Ethan and Brock will move on to fish the Southern Divisional on Douglas Lake in Tennessee in the Spring of 2013 where they will compete against youth from Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
Other members of the Clayton Bass Club that had a successful two days were Hunter Mizeur who finished 4th overall in the 15 – 18 age group with a two day weight of 7.72 pounds. Chris Chavez finished 5th with 3.20 pounds and Kevin Peppers finished 6th with 2.88 pounds.
Special thanks goes out to Bob Bauer NCBFN Youth Director & State Tournament director, also all those adults who served as boat captains.
