For Immediate Release
From: Faith Angler Network
RE: FAN High School Fishing Series
March 22, 2016
Contact: info@faithanglernetwork.com
Chase Hux and Matt Nicholas representing New Braunfels Christian Academy
take the win at the final FAN HS qualifying event of the Let There Be Havoc on Lake Austin presented by Berkley Havoc with a 5 fish limit weighing 18.47 pounds including a 5.46-pound largemouth.
46 teams were greeted to a cool and misty morning on the shores of Lake Austin Saturday March 12th, the moist skies would clear out shortly after the pre-launch prayer, national anthem and safety check leaving the 92 anglers and their captains to put their strategies and skills to the test on this final qualifying event of the 2015/16 season where one team would earn the coveted Berkley Anglers of the Year and separate the field for the 2015/16 FAN HS Championship with over $6000 in Scholarship Funds, and the Skeeter Super Six Invitational.
Before we get to the incredibly tight race to the AOY we have to recognize the always consistent and last year’s AOY and championship winners who brought Havoc to the lake again this year. Chase Hux and Matt Nicholas representing New Braunfels Christian Academy with Captain Buck Hux brought an impressive 5 bass limit to the scales weighing 18.47 pounds including a 5.46-pound largemouth.
“On Friday our practice day, we looked for shallow fish because the water temperature was right and the time of year was optimal for spawning fish but they had not pulled up. We had graphed over several long points nearing the end of the day and marked big schools of fish. We decided to abandon the shallow fish and risk it out deep. Tournament morning, we idled over the points and immediately began to mark fish. We decided to throw a Carolina rig as well as a football jig and began catching fish. Three of our fish we weighed in came within 20 minutes and by 8:15 we had one of our five pounders. Our last fish to finish out our limit came by 10:30. We had six bites all day with one cull.
My experience with Faith Angler Network has been incredible. Having the opportunity to fish alongside other Christian anglers has been very rewarding. From my first tournament and now nearing my last, every boat launch to weigh in has been nothing but professional and well run by the staff at Faith Angler Network. Every angler as well as the staff have been supporting each other in a positive manner guiding towards making us better anglers but more importantly more Godly boys and girls.” Stated Chase
Chase and Matt added to their collection of winnings two beautiful trophies and Abu Garcia Vendetta casting rods with Abu Garcia Black Max reels – Captain Buck won the Academy Captain Incentive award of a $100 Academy Gift Card – GREAT JOB GUYS….
Fishing their first FAN HS tournament and representing Texas Bass Academy and earning the second place spot was the team of Darren Zipp and Michael Martin weighing in a 15.60-pound limit including a 6.47 personal best with Captain Mark Bindseil
They each took home an Abu Garcia Pro Max Low Profile Casting Rod and Reel Combo and a second place trophy.
Coming in third and setting a new FAN HS Big Bass Record representing Team Tightlines was the team of Cameron Clouse and Clayton Green who also had the Kistler BIG BASS of the day and of the season at 11.84 pounds for a total of 14.92 pounds.
They each won a large Berkley PowerBait Tackle Bag and a pair of third place trophies. And the Kistler Big Bass Rod Award.
Things didn’t start out so well for team Clayton Green and Cameron Clouse, They didn’t even get away from the launch area when the lower unit on their boat went out. They spent a little time with their captain working on the boat while they fished. Finally, it was clear, they were going to spend the day fishing with only their trolling motor. They were not able to get to their planned fishing spots, but they were determined to make the best out of a bad situation.
About 8:45am is when their bad luck changed. Clayton was casting a Strike King Okeechobee Craw on a tungsten weight toward the shore. Clayton stated, “All of a sudden I felt a thump, I immediately set my hook and felt head shakes I knew right then it was a good fish. The strength of the fish bent the rod down into the water and forced me to give it line. The fish took off under the boat, around the trolling motor and out the other side of the boat. I hung on while Cameron was trying to net the fish. Then suddenly my line went limp and I no longer felt the fish. I didn’t know if Cameron had netted it or not. Bam!! Cameron flipped that baby on the boat. We were all speechless”. Our boat captain, Thomas Learned, stated that Clayton’s adrenaline was so high, he was shaking for 30 minutes and couldn’t even tie another hook on. I was very proud to see these two boys land this champ. After this one, it was hard to catch smaller ones, but they stayed in that same area and ended up catching two more keepers.
Both Clayton and Cameron stated, they have enjoyed their first year fishing the FAN trail and look forward to more. We appreciate all that the staff does to make each tournament a wonderful experience. It is great to see adults that care for the youth and the future of fishing.
Last, they would like to thank Tightlines Premium Fishing Tackle, Thomas Learned, Kevin Morford, our Tightlines team for their support, our family and friends and most of all God.
It turned out to be a “FAN”tastic day on Lake Austin!!
The Angler of the year race was as close as could get coming into the final qualifier with Ben Marczynski and Jason Duvall from Hyde Park as still leading by a margin of 3 point over the student anglers Cody Barchenger and Ethan Ochoa form Thrall HS after the Lake LBJ tournament in the fall. As these teams made their way to the scales it would be even closer as Cody and Ethan weighed in a limit at 11.73 pounds good enough for 4th place. However, Ben and Jason would seal the AOY title by one point with their five bass limit weighing 10.39 and a 6th place finish. Great job team and thanks for making it a nail biter.
Ave. Weight per Team: 5.37
Ave. Fish per Team: 2.
Total Fish: 119
Total Teams: 46
Catch statistics:
Wrapping up the top 10 teams:
10 Elijah Towery – Jaiden Hernandez – STBC 8.78
9 Tyler Easley -Keller Munroe – CenTex 9.28
8 Nathan Wright – Zachary Washburn – Rouse HS 9.98
6 Gavin Standard -Clayton Harbison – TBA 10.39
6 Ben Marczynski – Jason Duvall – Hyde Park HS 10.39
5 Eston Hamilton – Noah Biebelhausen – Lake Travis HS 11.30
4 Cody Barchenger – Ethan Ochoa – Thrall HS 11.73
You can see all the results and photos in the tournament section here
This event would not be possible without the volunteers and staff that put everything together, from helping check in, set up, cook hotdogs, launch boats, park trucks, merchandising and getting it all back into the trailer. Thank you sincerely: Justin Rieger, Mary Anderson, Doug and Valerie Cruts, Jon Sigman, Stephanie Cook, Frank McCant, Linda Langlois and the many others that jumped in to assist.
Captain Incentives and Awards
Captains are essential to the success of our High School Fishing program and we are honored to be able to recognize them with some great sponsor products and incentives.
Winning the Academy Sports and Outdoors Captain Drawing $100 gift card was Bob Bingle with Team Tightlines
Winning the Berkley Captain Drawing for a Berkley Power Battery– $49.00 Value Pack Billy Wright from Hyde Park HS
