Youngsters bow in bass tournament

DUNNELLON - Hooking that first fish is a thrill of a lifetime for most, especially when that someone is a child. And for 19 young fishermen last Saturday, taking part in a bass tournament was something that will never be forgotten, no matter how many more fish they do or do not catch.

Special to the Chronicle

Austin Thompson shows off a 2.7-pound largemouth bass he caught Saturday at the Marion County Junior Bassmasters tournament, conducted on the Withlacoochee River out of Dunnellon. Nineteen youngsters fished in the tournament, where participants competed in three different age categories.

Special to the Chronicle

Chase Varga shows off one of five bass he weighed-in en route to winning the 11- to 14-year-old division at the tournament.

“It’s teaching kids about the outdoors, getting them involved, and keeping them away from the other dangers out there,” said Marion County Junior Bassmasters Tournament Director Daniel Tillis, while preparing to start the weigh-in for the tournament at the city ramp in Dunnellon.

“A lot of these kids don’t understand what’s right in their backyard. We get them involved in this and hopefully it will become a lifetime thing for them,” she said.

The Marion County Bassmasters have conducted these tournaments for younger anglers for two years now and hope to spread their love of the outdoors and bass fishing on to the next generation.

“All of our guys put the word out and we’ve had a good turnout once again,” said Russell Tillis, father of the tournament director. “We have three categories: 6- to 10-year-olds; 11 to 14, and 15 to 17. The kids can qualify for the state championship on Okeechobee later in the year.”

Nine adult bass fishermen from Marion and Citrus Counties took the kids out on the Withlacoochee River and Lake Rousseau, where they fished artificial lures, learned about tournament rules, and how to fish in a club tournament. And if the smiles and laughter going on at the final weigh-in were any indicator, the kids had a great time.

“I caught fish with a topwater (lure) and a Texas-rigged worm,” said Chase Varga, who hails from Citra and was fishing with his dad, Brian. “I started fishing when I was probably 3 or 4 years old. Every time I get to go, I’m ready.”

Varga won the 11- to 14-year-old division with a five-fish bag weighing 8.62 pounds. Last year he came in second place on Lake Kerr, so this year’s win was extra-special.

“He loves going and I take him whenever I can,” Brian said. “I am proud of him.”

Austin Thompson had 3.28 pounds of bass, good for third, and Cory Norton caught one bass weighing 2.72 pounds, which was good for third place and for big bass honors.

Ryan Crosby topped the 15- to 17-year-old division, weighing in three bass that tipped the scales at 5.68 pounds. Lauren Warren and Jacob Reynolds came in second and third respectively.

No legal fish were weighed in by the youngest anglers, but several “fish tales” were told about the one that got away or bass that came up just short of the 12-inch legal mark on the Golden Rule.

“It’s a good time, and we caught fish throughout the day, had our ups and downs,” the elder Varga said. “Just like a regular bass tournament.”

For information about future tournaments, go to www.marioncountybassmasters.com or call Daniel Tillis at 352-572-3148.

Dan Hermes is an outdoors writer based out of Inverness. He can be reached at danoutdoors2001@yahoo.com