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RYAN SHIELDS AND JBMNA SCORE AT LAY LAKE
The Junior Bassmasters of North Alabama has become a recognized club across the state of Alabama. In just the second
year of being a chartered club, the JBMNA has produced two Junior State Qualifier teams. In September of 08, six members
of the JBMNA competed in the Junior State Qualifier held on Neely-Henry. 2009 was no exception. The 2009 JBMNA Junior
State Team consisted of:
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Name |
Age Group |
Name |
Age Group |
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Ryan Shields |
11-14 |
Gus Malcom |
15-18 |
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Mitchel Gowen |
11-14 |
Austin Littrell |
15-18 |
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Nick Gatlin |
11-14 |
Hayden Pike |
15-18 |
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Byron Parish |
11-14 |
Josh Kyle |
15-18 |
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Back Row Left to Right: Hayden Pike, Austin Littrell, Gus Malcom, Josh Kyle, and Nick Gatlin;
Front row: Ryan Shields, John Moore (Observer), Mitchell Gowen, and Byron Parish
This year’s Jr. State Qualifier was held on Lay Lake, Oct 10, 2009. The conditions were overcast with intermittent rain,
slight NW wind, stained to muddy water, water temp 73.5-75.5 degrees, 3 generators pulling current from down river and
6 generators pulling from up river. Lay lake is one of many fine fisheries located on the Coosa River. The Coosa River is
known for the ‘Coosa River Spotted Bass’.
The tournament launched from Sunset Marina, located on Cedar Creek, at 7:10 AM. A total of 54 anglers, combined in
both age groups, mandated two flights. The first flight was due back at the weigh in at 2:00 PM, with the second flight due
back at 2:20 PM. The JBMNA brought a total of 8 fish weighing 12.46 lbs. to the scales. Barring the weather conditions,
the JBMNA did a fantastic job!! The results are:
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Junior Bassmaster Anglers
Ryan Shields – 3 fish, 6.94 lbs
Byron Parrish – 2 fish, 2.29 lbs
Mitchell Gowen – 2 fish, 2.07 lbs
Hayden Pike – 1 fish, 1.16 lbs
Gus Malcom – 0
Joshua Kyle – 0
Austin Littrell – 0
Nicholas Gatlin – 0
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Boat Captains
Curtis Gossett
J. D. Dickerson
Wayne Sudduth
Dwayne Haynes
Herbert Holt
Frank Bertarelli
Joe Wikoff
Greg Davie
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Congratulations to Ryan Shields, who placed 1st in his age group, and put the JBMNA on the map, as well as the other
junior clubs on notice! In other words, when Ryan enters his name in the tournament, other anglers will know to bring their
‘A’ game. Ryan received a Lifetime hunting and fishing license for the state of Alabama, a custom made spinning rod from
Herbert Hoff Custom Rods, a $90.00 gift card from Academy Sports and a beautiful plaque.
Ryan is pictured with Eddie Plemmons, President of the Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Nation (Left),
B.A.S.S. Elite Series Pro, Randy Howell (center background) who served as the Master of Ceremonies,
and Bobby MacDonald (right), Youth Director for the Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Nation
Pictured with Ryan are from left to right Blake Gowen (President –JBMNA), Robbie Shields
(Ryan’s father and Tournament Director – JBMNA), Eddie Plemmons (President – ABFN),
Randy Howell (B.A.S.S. Elite Series Pro) and Alan Kyle (Secretary/Treasurer – JBMNA)
Ryan fished flukes and buzzbaits in the back pockets of coves. His fish came from skinny water anywhere from 1’ to 2’
deep. Ryan is a true competitor who fishes in the National Bass Trail with his father Robbie. Ryan is currently in 15th place
out of 67 anglers.
I spoke to Robbie regarding Ryan’s commitment to this great sport. I asked Robbie how often Ryan practices. Paraphrasing,
Robbie said everyday Ryan fishes a local tributary. Ryan is often found studying the next lake he will fish on weeks prior to the
tournament. Ryan has great support from his parents Robbie and Dana.
Payton Bertarelli won the 15-18 year age group with a total weight of 9.22 lbs. Payton is 17 years of age and a member of
the Central Alabama Junior Bassmaster Club. This club has been in existence for about (3) years under the leadership and
guidance of Karen Stewart (Karen’s son William was a 2008 State Junior Champion and daughter Zoe fished in this event
in the 11-14 age group).
Ryan and Payton will represent the great state of Alabama as members of the Alabama Federation Nation Team. The next stop
is the Southern Divisional Junior Bassmasters Championship, to be held in Georgia, April 2010 at a lake to be determined. The
weights from Ryan and Payton’s stringers will be added to the total weights of the Junior Alabama Bass Federation Nation (ABFN)
State Team. The ABFN State Team will compete against six other southeastern states and South Africa for a chance to advance
to the Junior Federation Nation Championship in Florida, in October 2010.
The results of the 2009 Junior Alabama State Qualifier are:
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Ages 11-14 |
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Name |
Weight |
Club Name |
Boat Captain |
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Ryan Shields |
6.94 lbs |
Jr. Bassmasters of N. AL |
Curtis Gossett |
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Donald Frey |
6.07 lbs |
Blue Eye Jr. Bass Club |
Larry Spalding |
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Zeke Gossett |
5.82 lbs |
Blue Eye Jr. Bass Club |
David Johnson |
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Austin Herring |
5.79 lbs |
Birmingham Jr. Bass Club |
Hank Tidd |
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Kophen Sudduth |
5.71 lbs |
Dixie Jr. Bassmasters |
Dwayne Haynes |
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Ages 15-18 |
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Name |
Weight |
Club Name |
Boat Captain |
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Payton Bertarelli |
9.22 lbs |
Central AL Jr. Bassmasters |
Wade Mitchell |
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Dillon Tucker |
9.06 lbs |
Dixie Jr. Bassmasters |
Greg Vinson |
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Will Davis |
7.82 lbs |
Proline Jr. Bassmasters |
Wayne Sudduth |
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Myles Palmer |
6.21 lbs |
Proline Jr. Bassmasters |
Kenny Pannell |
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Michael Landers |
5.58 lbs |
Blue Eye Jr. Bass Club |
Alan Kyle |
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A special thanks goes to Randy Howell, Bassmaster Elite Pro Angler, who not only served as the Master of Ceremonies,
but as a Boat Captain as well. Randy enjoys the opportunity to promote this great sport through these youth events very
As with any event there are a plethora of people behind the scenes that make it all possible. The Alabama Bass Federation
Nation’s one and only Bobby McDonald, Youth Director organized this event with the exception of the weather. Bobby, you
did a fantastic job!
The parents of the Central Alabama Junior Bassmasters prepared hotdogs and hamburgers which were extremely tasty.
Herbert Hoff cared enough to make the winning anglers a custom wrapped rod! Thanks also to William Wood and the
A. G. Gaston Steam Plant (Alabama Power) for providing two lifetime fishing license, and William Davis and Davis Bait
Company for sponsorship of the ABFN Jr. tournament.
These fine sponsors contributed directly to this event: Scott Crump Toyota, Davis Bait Company, Herbert Hoff, Alabama
Power, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Vicious Lures, Berkley, Culprit worms, Big Bite Bait Company, Golden Flake, Buffalo
Rock-Talladega, NetBait, Eagle Claw, and Yamamoto Baits.
A special thanks goes to Don Gowen for serving as a camera boat operator/camera man/technical advisor and most important
a generous supporter of the JBMNA. Mr. Gowen pulled his boat to the tournament and a good thing he did. There were some
mechanical difficulties with one of the Boat Captain’s boat. Mr. Gowen simply swapped his boat with the Boat Captain and
the anglers, without missing a beat.
John Moore was in attendance at the tournament. Though, just a year shy of being eligible to fish the tournament, John had
the opportunity to accompany Mr. Gowen in the camera boat. If I ever saw a hunger to compete, I saw it in John’s eyes. This
competitive edge is contagious. Thank you for assisting Mr. Gowen with the camera boat and supporting the JBMNA!
Several Boat Captains represented the JBMNA – Rose Ellis (Women’s Bass Trail Professional Angler); BASS PROS - Greg
Vinson and Randy Howell; Blake Gowen; Eddie Borden; and Alan Kyle. There is a lot of preparation, fuel, and the most precious
commodity - time required to make these events possible. “Thank You” goes to the Boat Captains representing your club and all
he Boat Captains that made this event possible.
I always save the best for last…all of the members of the Junior Bassmasters of North Alabama can be extremely proud of your
club! On behalf of Blake and Robbie, I wish to extend a word of thanks to the parents of the JBMNA who make the effort to get their
angler to the events. All of the members of the JBMNA need to say ‘thank you’ to your parents for making your club a success!
The next function for the mighty Junior Bassmasters of North Alabama will be the Awards Banquet, Nov 15, 2009, Mallard
Stables, Decatur, Alabama. More to follow.
As always…Tight Lines!
Alan Kyle
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