July 7, 2010 - Russellville, Ark. – High School students from across the U.S. are gearing up for what is destined to become the high school fishing event in the industry – the 2010 SAF High School Fishing World Finals at Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville, Ark. Anglers from nearly 20 states from coast to coast and along the Canadian border have registered to attend along with families and boat captains. During the event, young men and women will compete for life-changing scholarships, prizes, school pride and the right to be called the first High School Fishing World Champions.

“The Bass Federation, (TBF) has been the foundation of youth fishing for more than 40 year. We’re very proud that today, because of the hard work and leadership of our members and partners, we’re still on the leading edge of youth fishing. We’re honored to conduct the first High School Fishing World Finals through the Student Anglers Federation,” said TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert. “High school fishing is one of the fastest growing sports and we believe this event will further support a growth trend in every state, as it has in Illinois, where it’s now an official varsity sport.”

TBF has teamed up with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and Russellville tourism to kick off the inaugural event. An outdoor show will also be featured on Sat., July 24 lakeside at Dardanelle State Park which includes Ranger/Evinrude test rides, pro fishing seminars and games/prizes. Also, college fishing teams will be on hand with information regarding what local colleges have to offer. The show will boast national and local sponsors and vendors and is free to the public.

The family-centered team event will feature two angler teams representing their respective high school’s Student Angler Federation club. There is no limit on the number of team entries and it’s not too late to enter. However, anglers must have completed the eighth grade but not yet entered into their freshmen year of college to be eligible.

This event is dotted with industry “firsts.” Each team will be allowed a five-fish limit per day and the field will be cut to the top seven teams on the final day. The event was also built with unlimited growth possibilities, with the potential to field 500 or even 1,000 teams in years to come. But most important, the tournament was designed to be the premier event in high school fishing. The highly anticipated week will afford ample time for family vacations, tons of fishing, scholarships, prizes and merchandise, along with the featured competition which will allow both anglers and their schools the chance to vie for the title of World Champion.

An education component will also be in play, requiring anglers to take two quizzes, one on boater safety/ethics and one on conservation\ invasive species. Based on test scores, anglers can earn a bonus of up to 3 ounces per test to be added to their total weight. (For two tests, anglers can add a team maximum 12ounces to their totals). One of the tie-breakers, should it be needed, will be the combined cumulative grade point average for each team. Starting in 2011, a minimum GPA will be required.

The winning team will be offered a prize unprecedented in the sport. A $4,000 scholarship, renewable for 4 years and a spot on the Collegiate Bass Fishing Team will be offered to both team members of the winning team from the Bethel University Wildcats in McKenzie, Tenn. That amounts to over $32,000 in scholarships offered to the winning team.

“As the first college in America to offer scholarships for bass fishing, Bethel University is very proud to join TBF in an ongoing commitment to promote both high school and college bass fishing. Bethel University has received overwhelming national publicity for its efforts with this new program and we look forward to a long relationship with TBF in this endeavor,” Bethel University’s Head Bass Fishing Coach, Gary Mason, stated. “High school fishermen are a great part of the future of the sport and we’re very proud to be involved with TBF and the High School Fishing World Finals. Bethel University would like to say congratulations to all of the high school fishermen across the country that will be competing in this extraordinary event.”

The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF), is the oldest and largest, organized grassroots fishing organization in America and proudly partners in fishing with FLW Outdoors. TBF is 100-percent member owned. TBF is “owned by those it serves and dedicated to the sport of fishing.” TBF-affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided the foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years.

For more information about The Bass Federation or the Student Angler Federation, visit www.bassfederation.com, www.HighSchoolFishing.org or call the TBF National Office at: (580) 765-9031.