Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Attending the High School Bass Class

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The 2nd Annual High School Bass Class was held the weekend of Dec. 15-17, 2017 in Anderson, S.C.
The 2nd Annual High School Bass Class was held the weekend of Dec. 15-17, 2017 in Anderson, S.C.
Which happens to be the site of the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Which happens to be the site of the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Not only is Lake Hartwell and Visit Anderson excited about hosting the Bassmaster Classic, but also the Bassmaster High School Eastern Open at Greenpond Landing in April. What a better place to have a camp-style bass class with the top anglers in the world?
Not only is Lake Hartwell and Visit Anderson excited about hosting the Bassmaster Classic, but also the Bassmaster High School Eastern Open at Greenpond Landing in April. What a better place to have a camp-style bass class with the top anglers in the world?
Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson, explained how the High School Bass Class was formed. <p> With the statement:<br> “The High School Bass Class is an event designed to educate, engage and connect high school anglers with the bass fishing industry. While the event format may vary depending on the time, date and venue, the mission remains the same. Professional anglers will teach the classes and lead the seminars. Local colleges and industry representatives will be invited to participate in an effort to expose the anglers to post graduate and professional opportunities in the sport of bass fishing. In each event, the HSBC will include representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Shimano as well as work with local representatives to ensure a successful program.” <p> The class includes a dinner with a keynote speaker on Friday, 45-minute group sessions on Saturday, and a career day on Sunday.
Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson, explained how the High School Bass Class was formed.

With the statement:
“The High School Bass Class is an event designed to educate, engage and connect high school anglers with the bass fishing industry. While the event format may vary depending on the time, date and venue, the mission remains the same. Professional anglers will teach the classes and lead the seminars. Local colleges and industry representatives will be invited to participate in an effort to expose the anglers to post graduate and professional opportunities in the sport of bass fishing. In each event, the HSBC will include representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Shimano as well as work with local representatives to ensure a successful program.”

The class includes a dinner with a keynote speaker on Friday, 45-minute group sessions on Saturday, and a career day on Sunday.

South Carolina DNR representative Sarah Chabane, was on site handing out material to educate young anglers as they registered before Friday night’s dinner.
South Carolina DNR representative Sarah Chabane, was on site handing out material to educate young anglers as they registered before Friday night’s dinner.
Including regulations for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and other fun facts about S.C. fisheries. SCDNR also conducted a Saturday morning class regarding safety and conservation.
Including regulations for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and other fun facts about S.C. fisheries. SCDNR also conducted a Saturday morning class regarding safety and conservation.
Union County Bass Anglers (S.C.), father and son, Tripp and Tanner Duncan joined the High School Bass Class this year. <p> “To be able to interact with several of the best anglers in the world, in a class room setting, means a lot,” eighth-grader Tanner Duncan said. <p> “I’m glad to see the value of the sport is being appreciated enough for an organization to put on an event like this,” Tripp Duncan, a boat captain for the Union County team added. “I am happy to see that the High School Bass Class not only teaches fishing, but conservation as well.”
Union County Bass Anglers (S.C.), father and son, Tripp and Tanner Duncan joined the High School Bass Class this year.

“To be able to interact with several of the best anglers in the world, in a class room setting, means a lot,” eighth-grader Tanner Duncan said.

“I’m glad to see the value of the sport is being appreciated enough for an organization to put on an event like this,” Tripp Duncan, a boat captain for the Union County team added. “I am happy to see that the High School Bass Class not only teaches fishing, but conservation as well.”

Other youth bass teams showed up to hear the star-studded lineup of speakers on schedule for the weekend, including the Pendleton High School Bass Anglers (S.C.). <p> “I don’t know that the students understand how fortunate they are to be able to have an event organized like this for them,” Pendleton’s third year coach Cass Brown said. “I’ve been fishing for 25 years, and these kids could easily learn more than I have — listening to this caliber of professional anglers — in one weekend.” <p> “I’ve watched them on Instagram and YouTube, and Bassmaster LIVE, but to be able to learn from these guys hands-on is an awesome experience,” Pendleton angler Ben Brown said.
Other youth bass teams showed up to hear the star-studded lineup of speakers on schedule for the weekend, including the Pendleton High School Bass Anglers (S.C.).

“I don’t know that the students understand how fortunate they are to be able to have an event organized like this for them,” Pendleton’s third year coach Cass Brown said. “I’ve been fishing for 25 years, and these kids could easily learn more than I have — listening to this caliber of professional anglers — in one weekend.”

“I’ve watched them on Instagram and YouTube, and Bassmaster LIVE, but to be able to learn from these guys hands-on is an awesome experience,” Pendleton angler Ben Brown said.

Paul gives a pep talk to reigning Classic Champ Jordan Lee, before he kicks off the weekend with a speech to young anglers.
Paul gives a pep talk to reigning Classic Champ Jordan Lee, before he kicks off the weekend with a speech to young anglers.
Paul explains the lineup and layout of the weekends class before introducing Lee to the audience.
Paul explains the lineup and layout of the weekends class before introducing Lee to the audience.
“What I am able to tell these younger kids in high school is how I did it,” Lee said.
“What I am able to tell these younger kids in high school is how I did it,” Lee said.
High School Bass Class logo.
High School Bass Class logo.
“For young anglers to understand what a platform college fishing can be is important.”
“For young anglers to understand what a platform college fishing can be is important.”
“Not only college fishing, but also how they can prepare themselves through high school to be a better angler.”
“Not only college fishing, but also how they can prepare themselves through high school to be a better angler.”
The Classic champion relayed his message to the audience of 200 high school anglers from the region.
The Classic champion relayed his message to the audience of 200 high school anglers from the region.
Each student received a raffle ticket for attending.
Each student received a raffle ticket for attending.
Lee, Paul, and Roger Metz, another principal organizer of the event, handed out Lee autographed <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazines and prize packages to the fortunate winners.
Lee, Paul, and Roger Metz, another principal organizer of the event, handed out Lee autographed Bassmaster Magazines and prize packages to the fortunate winners.
Look who showed up? Classic Champion Randy Howell.
Look who showed up? Classic Champion Randy Howell.
Saturday’s classes not only included fishing techniques and styles, but also a communications course taught by B.A.S.S. Opens Pro and YouTuber Brian Latimer, Jon Hair of Greenfish Tackle, and Gettys Brannon of Bassmaster’s digital team.
Saturday’s classes not only included fishing techniques and styles, but also a communications course taught by B.A.S.S. Opens Pro and YouTuber Brian Latimer, Jon Hair of Greenfish Tackle, and Gettys Brannon of Bassmaster’s digital team.
Students coached by B.A.S.S. wife (Marty Robinson’s spouse), Iris Robinson, were especially observant.
Students coached by B.A.S.S. wife (Marty Robinson’s spouse), Iris Robinson, were especially observant.
Latimer speaks to students on properly communicating with each other and observers at high school weigh-ins.
Latimer speaks to students on properly communicating with each other and observers at high school weigh-ins.
During the break, Lee and ROY Dustin Connell talked about Lake Hartwell, which many of the Elite Series qualifiers were pre-practicing on this week.
During the break, Lee and ROY Dustin Connell talked about Lake Hartwell, which many of the Elite Series qualifiers were pre-practicing on this week.
Though Lee did not teach a class on Saturday, his presence was known.
Though Lee did not teach a class on Saturday, his presence was known.
Lee and Connell pose for a photo with Malakai Mckinney, a high school angler that made the bass class for its second year from Raleigh, N.C.
Lee and Connell pose for a photo with Malakai Mckinney, a high school angler that made the bass class for its second year from Raleigh, N.C.
Lee’s Toyota Tundra rig was on display in front of the Anderson Civic Center.
Lee’s Toyota Tundra rig was on display in front of the Anderson Civic Center.
Beside a few more pieces of Toyota eye-candy for the young anglers to see.
Beside a few more pieces of Toyota eye-candy for the young anglers to see.
The rooms were filled with anglers and industry representatives, including B.A.S.S. Opens Pro Brandon Cobb and Zoom’s Chris Baxter.
The rooms were filled with anglers and industry representatives, including B.A.S.S. Opens Pro Brandon Cobb and Zoom’s Chris Baxter.
Connell and Cobb paired up to speak with anglers on rod and reel setups.
Connell and Cobb paired up to speak with anglers on rod and reel setups.
2015 Classic winner Casey Ashley addresses a room full of eager high school students…
2015 Classic winner Casey Ashley addresses a room full of eager high school students…
…with his friend and competitor, Marty Robinson. The two spoke on a variety of topics including techniques and moon phases.
…with his friend and competitor, Marty Robinson. The two spoke on a variety of topics including techniques and moon phases.
The reigning Carhartt College Series Classic Bracket Champion Jacob Foutz speaks about the opportunities through college fishing.
The reigning Carhartt College Series Classic Bracket Champion Jacob Foutz speaks about the opportunities through college fishing.
Ronnie Moore of JM Outdoors and a fixture on Bassmaster LIVE also chimed in on the prospects of college fishing and career opportunities in the outdoors industry.
Ronnie Moore of JM Outdoors and a fixture on Bassmaster LIVE also chimed in on the prospects of college fishing and career opportunities in the outdoors industry.
The lineup of speakers takes a photo at the end of the classes session.
The lineup of speakers takes a photo at the end of the classes session.
Paul is all smiles after another year of the High School Bass Class concludes.
Paul is all smiles after another year of the High School Bass Class concludes.

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