April 24 and 25 2010

The Junior Bassmasters from the Kids Of The Southwest “KSW” competed sided by side with the best anglers in the New Mexico Bass Federation Nation “NMBFN”. The KSW want to thank all those who helped make this possible. The juniors participated in all phases of the first 2010 qualifier for the NMBFN; from the pre-tournament meeting to the weigh-in. In addition the juniors ran a fund raiser selling breakfast burritos on both Saturday, and Sunday raising over a hundred dollars for the KSW club. The junior anglers learned so much about tournament fishing, and all raved about their boaters. For the juniors the two day event consisted of two separate tournaments with the juniors being paired with a new boater on day two.

Saturday’s competition was tough as the juniors faced some tough conditions and big water. The winds on Elephant Butte pushed to over twenty miles per hour through the morning with gust up to fifty-two. Not what the adults would call fun let alone the juniors. The kids buckled down and adjusted determined to bring fish to the scales. As the boats arrived for weigh-in you could see the excitement on their faces. Even the boaters were bragging on the juniors. Junior Bassmaster tournaments have two divisions a junior division (14 and under) and a senior division (15 to 17). What a thrilling experience as the kids waited in line with their boater to see how they faired. When the dust settled, and all the fish had been weighed four juniors had fish. For the junior division first year member Zach Weisenberger won it with 5.50 lbs. Finishing in second was Nic Arrieta with 4.42 lbs. For the Seniors Justin Hettinga won it with 6.52 lbs followed by Clayton Ramsey with 1.83 lbs. Justin also won big bass honors with a 3.94 largemouth.

Sunday was a new day for the juniors as they headed out with much better conditions. Fishing however proved to be even tougher as the adults struggled alongside the juniors. But like the adults a few always figure it out. The senior division was won by Donald Peters with 1.02 lbs. For the junior division it was Nic Arrieta taking first with three fish totaling 4.24 lbs. Second place went to Johnny Beard with 2.95. Third place was Zach Weisenberger with 1.30 lbs.

The KSW are looking for new members to fill their ranks. The KSW primarily fish Elephant Butte so if you are close to Elephant Butte, and know a junior who loves to fish contact Frank Ramsey by email at info@nmbassfishing.com or by phone at 915.526.3374.
 

Senior Division:

Saturday- First Place and Big Bass Justin Hettinga

Saturday-Second Place Clayton Ramsey

Sunday-First Place Donald Peters

Junior Division

Saturday-First Place, Sunday-Third Place Zach Weisenberger

Sunday-First Place, Saturday Second Place Nic Arietta

Sunday-Second Place Johnny Beard