Sept. 23, 2007

A familiar name among Indiana anglers is headed back to the Bassmasters Classic. Brody McWilliams the grandson of 2007 Classic qualifier Terry McWilliams has earned a spot to represent Indiana in the Junior Bassmaster Championship. Brody qualified by winning the 11-14 age group Indiana Junior Bassmaster trail points title. Jacob Wheeler an exceptional angler in his own right and a favorite by many to win the  15 -18 age group at the Classic in February. Won the points title over former qualifer Ryan Rhodehamel. Both Junior anglers had a successful year and it came down to the wire at Waveland.

2007 Junior State Champions

Advance to the B.A.S.S Junior Bassmaster Championship

In first place in the 15 – 18 age group was Jacob Wheeler with three fish weighing in at 5.90 pounds.  Jacob caught his fish all throughout the day but said that he was culling fish by 7:40 that morning.  He caught his fish on Zara Spook and Shaky head in no more than two foot of water.  Jacob was fishing the grass line along with the holes and pockets in the grass. 

In first place for the 11 – 14 age group was Brody McWilliams.  He had three fish weighing in at 5.70 pounds. Brody caught his fish on a tube in four to eight foot of water.  Most of Brody’s fish came from the grass line early in the morning.

The last award that was given away was the Big Bass award and it was a close one!  There were two anglers that had a big fish of 2.09 pounds.  To break the tie it was down to whose fish was the biggest in inches.  The angler who ended up winning the Big Bass award was Ryan Rhodehamel.  Ryan caught the fish with a Shaky head worm in about eight foot of water.  The fish came late in the day off of a main lake point. 

All of the anglers had a blast and caught some fish.  Congratulations to Jacob Wheeler and Brody McWilliams on becoming State Champions and making it to the Bassmasters Classic!  We all know that you guys will represent the state of Indiana and yourselves very well! I would like to also give the people who make these tournaments possible a big “Thank You” because without them we would not get the chance to have great experiences like the Bassmasters Classic. 

See you all next year!

The two anglers were Jacob Wheeler and Ryan Rhodehamel.   Also in the 11 – 14 age group it came down to Brody McWilliams and Chandler Harris.  Although, if Jacob and Ryan both blanked then either Brett Rounsaville or Brody McWilliams had a chance to take the title of state champion.

The final tournament on the B.A.S.S tournament trail was a good one. Many kids showed up to fish the final tournament of the year.  Overall fishing was good for the anglers and very competitive!

In the 15 – 18 age group it came down to two kids battling it out for the trip to the Bassmasters Classic. 

Written By:

Brett Rounsaville, Field Reporter

BassIndy.com