Fishing enthusiasts of all ages know that this sport doesn’t call a game off for rain or snow, and the recent tournament on Deep Creek Lake was no exception. The young anglers and their adult boat captains bundled up and faced the challenging weather head-on. While it was a day that would make many people prefer to stay indoors, these passionate competitors took to the waters of Garrett County to prove their skills.

The Garrett Bass Slayers, the local High School & Junior Bass Fishing Club, emerged as the 2023 High School & Junior Champions, reinforcing their dominance in the sport. Notably, the team claimed the top spot in the High School Division and secured both first and second place in the Junior Division. This marked the seventh time since 2014 that the Bass Slayers have clinched the state championship, further solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in competitive bass fishing.

The success of the first and second-place teams in the High School & Junior Division comes with a significant reward. Both teams earned coveted spots at the 2024 Bassmaster National Championship, scheduled for next summer. This achievement paves the way for these young anglers to showcase their skills on a national stage, furthering their passion and dedication to the sport.

In the High School Division, the team of Kaden Tomblin and Jakob Fullerton from the Garrett Bass Slayers claimed victory with five fish weighing a total of 12.88 lbs. Impressively, both anglers are freshmen at Northern High School, making their win in their first year on the team even more remarkable. Their boat captain was Tomblin’s dad, Keith Tomblin. The second-place team in this division featured Trey Richardson and Reid Luckett, representing the Free State Bass Club out of Davidsonville. They secured their position with five fish weighing a total of 12.12 lbs, guided by Richardson’s dad, John Richardson.

In the Junior Division, Myles and Maddox Shaffer, twins from the Garrett Bass Slayers, clinched victory with four fish, totaling 8.16 lbs. Their boat captain was their father, Bart Shaffer. The twins are in fifth grade at Broadford Elementary School. The second-place team in the Junior Division was also from the Garrett Bass Slayers, including Tucker Fratz and Rowan Rikhye. They landed two fish weighing a total of 4.55 lbs, guided by the experienced Bass Slayer volunteer Eric Swearengen. Both boys are seventh graders at Northern Middle School.

It may come as a surprise to some, but high school bass fishing is indeed a legitimate team sport. Not only does it offer young athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills and passion, but it also opens doors to college scholarships, similar to more conventional high school team sports. To be part of a Bassmaster High School Program, students must meet various criteria, including maintaining a minimum GPA, participating in community service projects, engaging in conservation efforts, and attending mandatory meetings.

The Garrett Bass Slayers, for instance, have been actively involved in community service and conservation projects, working with Deep Creek Lake Management on initiatives such as making reef balls for the lake, participating in clean-up efforts around Broadford Lake and Deep Creek Lake, and contributing to the improvement of the Fish Weigh-In Station at Deep Creek State Park. Their dedication to both their sport and their community is commendable.

The Garrett Bass Slayers team was established in 2014 by Joe McClosky, his mother June McClosky, and bass fishing mentor Bret Winegardner. Joe’s desire to engage in competitive high school bass fishing led to the creation of the club, as there were no such clubs in the area at that time. In their inaugural year, the team competed in the Maryland Bass Nation State Championship on the Potomac River, where Joe McClosky and his partner Morgan Winegardner secured victory. Since then, the Bass Slayers have consistently excelled in competitions.

The success of the team is credited to the dedication of coaches and parents who have mentored young anglers. Bret Winegardner served as the head coach for several years, organizing local Bass Nation Adult Volunteers to act as team captains. These captains played a pivotal role in imparting their extensive bass fishing knowledge to the young athletes, contributing to their tournament success.

A few years ago, the coaches decided to introduce a Junior Division to provide younger children the opportunity to engage in competitive bass fishing in the area. The response from parents was overwhelming, leading to the creation of both high school and junior teams. Most of the boat captains for these teams are now parents, with a few Bass Nation Volunteers still contributing their expertise.

This exciting team sport is rapidly gaining popularity among high schools and colleges, and it is now sanctioned by many top colleges. Joe McClosky, a former member of the Garrett Bass Slayers, attended Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee on a Bass Fishing Scholarship and graduated in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in business. The hope is that more young individuals from the area who are passionate about bass fishing and outdoor sports will have the opportunity to earn college scholarships and experience the sport at the collegiate level.

The winners of the Bassmaster National Championship are not only crowned champions but also receive college scholarships and other valuable sponsor prizes. As the Garrett Bass Slayers continue to shine, their journey inspires young athletes in Garrett County and beyond to pursue their passion for bass fishing and consider the numerous opportunities it presents, both competitively and academically. This remarkable team is not just catching fish; they’re catching dreams and building a legacy of success in the world of high school and junior competitive bass fishing.