Louisiana students compete in state fishing competition
By: Kimberly Rusley
Updated: March 14, 2013
Forty-three boats out on Caddo Lake, trying to reel in a big one. Teams of high school students from across the state were competing for the Louisiana High School State Bass Championship.
"High school fishing is becoming a very popular sport, and of course living in sportsman paradise in Louisiana, this is just a natural fit for us," says Sheila Norman with the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission.
Sixty-four schools participate each year, and the competition keeps growing.
A team of two students from Airline High School says they enjoyed the healthy competition.
"I like how you never know what place you're in, and it's a real battle until the very end," Chad Poulsen. "Because you never know until your last cast."
"To most people it's pretty tough, but to me it's my favorite lake," says Cameron Mattison. "I grew up fishing out here, won my first tournament out here, and I really enjoy it."
Even though the waters were tough, and the weather wasn't all that great, students say they didn't let that spoil the competition.
"It was bad weather, real bad weather," says Dylan Pouche. "But we adjusted to it so I think it was a pretty good day for us."
Dylan Poche won the big bass award, reeling in a fish that weighed 6.6 pounds.
First place went to the team from Airline. They had five fish weighing in at 20 pounds.
The team that won second place say it was more about having fun.
"You get scholarships to go to college, it keeps you off the streets," Rian Achord. "You get to compete with your friends, you know?"
