Casting Kids Program
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Maine Bassmaster Casting Kids Dates Announced
This years Maine Bassmaster Casting Kids Championship will be held in August 2008. The winners of the two age groups will advance to the Eastern Regional at Lake Winni in NH. on Sept 19-20, 2008. Two regional winners from this tournament will advance to the Bassmaster Casting Kids National Championship Nov 8, 2008 at Lake Milford, near Junction City, Kansas.
All About Casting Kids
BASS formed in 1968 to promote and encourage fishing. Recognizing that youngsters are the future of this great sport, BASS took the lead of introducing and educating youth about the sport of fishing. CastingKids comprise the youngest level of all levels of Federation Nation competition. Youth competitors are mentored by Federation Nation anglers and learn the elements that have become the foundation of the Federation Nation membership.
In 1991, BASS developed the Bassmaster CastingKids program, which is similar to the NFL punt, pass and kick events. However, in CastingKids the challenge is to flip, pitch and cast a hookless lure to a bull's-eye target. Mastering these three techniques will give any angler the skills they need to present any lure and catch bass. Scoring is based on a points system so the young angler with the most points wins! To date, nearly two million children have been awarded more than $3 million awards, prizes and scholarships, the Bassmaster CastingKids program is the most successful youth fishing program in the world.
Like the Junior Bassmaster program, the CastingKids program mirrors the BASS Federation Nation tournament structure. Participants compete in local events conducted by an affiliated BASS Federation Nation club. Each local event has two winners, one in each age group (7-10 years of age and 11-14 years of age). The winners then proceed to their respective state finals. The CastingKids competitors who emerge as the top-performing competitor in his or her state will advance to one of six Federation Nation divisional, based on geographic criteria.
The first BASS Federation Nation divisional of the year typically takes place in March or April with the remaining five Divisional competitions taking place throughout the spring and summer. From the six Federation Nation divisional, only the top-performing 12 contenders will advance to the CastingKids Championship, to be held in conjunction with the BASS Federation Nation Championship, typically each November. The championship contenders will compete for $21,000 in scholarship money, with the winners earning the distinction as the best CastingKids in the sport and in their respective division. This qualifying ladder provides youth with a firsthand look at competition venues they can pursue when they reach adult competition age.
In addition to the seminars, BASS will encourage its Elite Series pros to serve in varying capacities at the CastingKids Championship held at the BASS Federation Nation Championship.
The six divisions of the BASS Federation Nation consist of - Northern, Southern, Eastern, Mid-Atlantic, Western and Central.
Awards: $21,0000 in academic college scholarships are awarded to the 12 finalists
- $5,000: National Champion in each age group
- $2,000: 2nd Place
- $1,500: 3rd Place
- $1,000: 4th Place
- $500: 5th Place
- $500: 6th Place