LUFKIN, Texas — When Reese Jones of Rogers, Ark., received notice that he had been selected as one of 12 members of the 2017 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team, he was ecstatic. Winning the honor meant he would be able to fish with a Bassmaster Elite Series pro during a special tournament in conjunction with the Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Then his mother, Cheri, broke the bad news. “I pointed out that Reese’s graduation was the same weekend, and of course he couldn't go to the tournament. At that point, both he and his father dropped their forks and said that he had to go to Texas."
Cheri was outvoted, and her son spent part of graduation weekend fishing Lake Naconiche, a trophy bass fishery near Nacogdoches, Texas. As a compromise, Cheri Jones acquired a cap and gown for Reese to wear as he crossed the weigh-in stage at the George H. Henderson Jr. Expo Center Saturday. He would only wear the cap, though.
“There's no way he would cover up his All-American jersey with a gown,” his mother said.
Through a random drawing, Jones was paired with Elite Series angler Brett Preuett, a former Carhartt Bassmaster College Series champion and GEICO Bassmaster Classic qualifier. Each of the teams were able to count the heaviest single bass for the pro and the high schooler.
The heaviest combined weight was turned in by the team of Oakley Connor of Travelers Rest, S.C., and Brandon Palaniuk, who also happens to be leading Texas Fest, the Elite event here, which ends Sunday. Should Palaniuk win the Elite competition, it would be an amazing sweep. He also was named winner today of the Autism Angler of April Award, based on a combination of money raised and weight caught in Elite events in April, which is National Autism Awareness month.
He and Connor weighed in 12 pounds, 3 ounces to top the 12-team field. Palaniuk had a 5-14, and Connor caught a 6-5. Dalton Combs of Ozark, Mo., and Skylar Hamilton had 10-3 for second, and Colby Miller of Elmer, La., and Shane Lineberger were third with 9-8.
All the teams caught numerous bass during a storm-shortened day, but no one was able to land one of the giant bass Lake Naconiche is noted for producing. It gave up a 13-plus pound Toyota ShareLunker bass in February, and the lake record is reported to be heavier than 16 pounds.
When asked why he would jeopardize his chances of winning Texas Fest by going out with a high school student today, Palaniuk didn't hesitate. “I had somebody take me fishing when I was young,” he said. “That gave me the inspiration to do what I am doing now.
“Besides, I signed up to do this when it was first announced, and I wasn't going to back out.” Palaniuk, Gary Klein and David Williams all have volunteered as teammates for high school anglers all three years since the program's inception.
Other teams participating were Cade Fortenberry of Prairieville, La., and Koby Krieger; Jared Goebel of Lumberton, Texas, and Gary Klein; Tyler Lubbat of Wheeling, Ill., and Darrel Ocamica; Perry Marvin of Peru, N.Y., and David Williams; Trace O'Dell of Buna, Texas, and James Niggemeyer; Kyle Palmer of Estill Springs, Tenn., and Jared Lintner; Logan Parks of Auburn, Ala., and Bradley Roy; and Bryer Pennington of Prescott, Ark., and Jesse Tacoronte.
The 12 student anglers were selected for All-American honors by judges who reviewed more than 380 nominations from 40 states. The program, now in its third year, recognizes outstanding young anglers in grades 10 through 12 for excellence in bass tournament competition, leadership, community service and academics.