CONGRATULATIONS to our Rio Vista High School Bass Fishing team! On Saturday, May 16, in competition against 73 other boats statewide, they took fifth place, earning the right to compete in the National and World 2021 finals. The contest will be held at Lake Hartwell, in South Carolina June 29 through July 3.
Fifth place was more than gratifying, as competing high school clubs entered multiple boats to our single entry. The Oakdale club entered 6 boats, as did Delta Teen Teams, and the NorCal Junior Bass Club had 8. The first-place team caught 5 fish with a combined weight of 23 lbs. A Delta Teen Team came in second with 5 fish weighing a total of 19 lbs. 11 oz., and a sister boat came in fourth with 5 fish at 19 lbs. 2 oz., just beating Rio Vista’s 5 fish at 19 lbs.
Teams are made up of two high school competitors and a coach/driver. During this competition, the total catch limit per boat was 5 bass. The fish had to be kept alive for weighing and subsequent release.
Bass competition nationwide is hosted by the Major League Fishing Association. This is the second year our Rio Vista High School has put together a team. Due to COVID-19 complications, it took a huge effort for our high school to field a team this year, using a boat generously donated by Daniel (Boone) Hurley’s father, Dan.
Now that our team hopes to travel to South Carolina for the Nationals and World championship they need financial help. Adviser (and teacher) Ashlyn Bartlett says it will take about two weeks to trailer the boat cross country and back again. Even with financial and in-kind donations, there is still an estimated shortfall in funding of $4,000, so the team needs our help.
Ashlyn says any contribution will help. Donations can be dropped off at Rio Vista High School located at 410 South 4th street downtown. Contributions can also be made via venmo@RioVista-HighSchool (it is important to note “Bass Team South Carolina” in the memo section.) Checks can be made out to the RVHS Bass Team. If there are any questions, or if more information is needed, Ashlyn can be reached at abartlett@rdusd.org.
Go to www.majorleaguefishing.com if you would like to learn more about professional and junior world bass fishing competitions.