Fifteen-year-old anglers finish 4th in BASS tournament, qualify for state

Dinwiddie - Fifteen-year-old Southern Outcast BassMasters club members Eddie Marston and Blake Mann cast together for the first time and place fourth in the Junior State Qualifier held at Lake Gaston in Bracey last Saturday. 

“Congratulations to this team: first year together, first tournament, and first time with this AHMAZING captain,” posted Cindy Blaha with great excitement. “Eddie Marston and Blake Mann got it done with Sfc. Bobby Davis landing in fourth and automatically qualifying for the State HS tournament in the Spring!”

According to Blaha, Davis of Danville had zero connection with the team before the tournament.

“Sfc. Davis answered a call at the nth hour for a captain when another one had an engine blow,” said Blaha. “He has asked to be a regular captain for us.”

Nine Southern Outcast BassMasters teams competed. It was the first tournament of the "trail" which is a series of four tournaments in the fall and spring to qualify for the BASS Nation of Virginia Youth Junior State Championship.

The fourth-place finishers from Dinwiddie followed in their older brothers’ footsteps. Percy Marston and Brayden Mann who competed in the state tournament this past summer.

How did the young anglers feel about their success?

"It was a very windy day,” said Eddie. “But thanks to our captain, he put us in the right spots to catch the fish.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to represent the Southern Outcast fishing team,” said Blake. “I would like to thank my boat captain, my parents, Mrs. Blaha my advisor, and Eddie Marston. I look forward to a competitive and successful season.”

“Our nine teams launched, had fun, and returned back to the dock safely,” said Blaha who serves as the team’s advisor and secretary.

Out of the 43 teams that competed, five Southern Outcast BassMasters fishing teams placed in the top half. 

Team results: Cody Long/Jacob Robertson 8th, Logan Neville/Justin Finney 14th, Dakota Erb/Nathan Pulley 17th, Ricky Williams/Preston Sebera 19th, Aydin Knapp/Justin Humphrey 23rd, Percy Marston/Brayden Mann 24th, Aaron Long/Isaiah Embry 30th, and Sam Hawkins/Sterling Akers 34th.

“Tenths of ounces separated 4th and 8th; that's how close it was,” said Blaha. “Lots to be proud of folks. I heard yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir, please, thank you, and you're welcome.”

The captains were appreciated.

The day before the tournament, Eddie’s mom Jamie Marston asked her Facebook friends to say a special prayer for the captains to serve as an inspiration to the young men and to show them what it is to be selfless.

“These nine men made it possible for our boys to fish today: Sfc. Bobby Davis with the U..S Army boat, Jeff Knapp, Sfc. Bobbie Davis, Harold Powers, Chris Ricks, Brett Stewart, Matt Pulley, Craig Rowland, Greg Fernandez, and Dave Keisel,” said Blaha. “Some captains drove a long way for this event.”

“I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to every man that has stepped up this weekend for the Dinwiddie Southern Outcast Fishing Team! I know some people will not understand what it takes for these guys to sit for hours in a boat and not have a fishing rod in hand,” posted Jamie Marston on Facebook. “They are giving up a whole day, getting up before the crack of dawn, taking a Saturday away from themselves, and so much more for kids that are not even theirs.”

“You captains are amazing to do this for these young fishermen,” said Frances Branzell Morgan of Dinwiddie whose grandson Sam Hawkins fished in the tournament. “Thank you so much.”

“I consider it an honor and a blessing to get to work with such an amazing group of young men, families, and captains,” said Blaha. “The support from these families, the surrounding businesses, and the community has been exceptional. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the trail brings!”

Bass Nation of Virginia Youth was established to preserve and promote the sport of angling for largemouth bass, conservation and introduce youth to fishing.

The second tournament in the “trail” will be held at Buggs Island on October 11 and the next one will not take place until March of next year. Follow them on Facebook at Southern Outcast BassMasters-Dinwiddie.

For more information about the club, send an email to southernoutcast19@gmail.com.

You can reach reporter Kristi K. Higgins at khiggins@progress-index.com. Follow her @KristiHigginsPI.

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