ROANOKE RAPIDS — The prize is a fully rigged Yamaha Skeeter Bass boat, but the goal is to compete in the Bassmasters Classic. Anglers from seven states have made Roanoke Rapids home for a week as they prepare to compete in the 2009 Bass Federation Nation Southern Divisional Tournament.  Anglers in 12 member teams plus two alternates represent the states of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, North and South Carolina.

Anglers line up Tuesday to recieve gift bags and ball caps as they register with Bass Federation Nation Tournament Director Jon Stewart. Anthony Gainey | Daily Herald Advertisement

A chance to fish with some of the top Anglers in the world begins through the Federation Nation. The journey however, starts almost four years prior to a southern divisional. First one must qualify through a club tournament, most clubs hold about four a year. The next step is to make a state qualifier, to then move on to a divisional. The journey then just begins as the competition gets tougher. While most anglers at this level are weekend warriors, the intensity, desire and determination is the driving force to one day battle fishing’s elite. The top anglers of each state then move on to the National Championship, for the top anglers in the Nationals move into the coveted Bassmasters Classic.

There are no off limits rules so anglers have spent weekends, and some the entire week leading up to the tournament, learning the Lake and trying to find some hot spots all in efforts to get the edge.  The adult anglers are not to have all the fun, the junior anglers of the teams will compete on Friday for the chance to move up. But will get the chance to practice on Wednesday and Thursday with the boat captain of each team. The younger sportsman learn etiquette as well as getting some tips from veteran anglers. Seventeen-year old junior angler from Kentucky Tyler Brown has been fishing for four years and is competing in his first Southern Divisional. “I have been in the junior circuit for four years and won my first State Championship, that felt awesome,” said Brown.

It all started by just fishing through 4-H then joined the KBFN. Brown qualified in the top three in one of the four tournaments his club held to make it to Lake Gaston.  At a young age Brown is quickly learning the tricks of the trade carrying as many as 12 rods  per outing. “Each has a different setup from a jig to a shaky head so I don’t have to spend time changing rigs just grab another pole and keep going,” Brown said.

Two anglers from South Africa will join Brown in Friday’s competition.

So after a week of learning the surroundings, 42 bass boats will hit the water for anglers to put their knowledge and skills to the test after going through the mandatory safety checks.