NCBFN Youth State Championship
Carnes Goes Back To Back and Orellana Dominates
Story By: Bob Bauer
October 29, 2011 High Rock Lake, NC
Changing weather and a cold front greeted the 42 junior anglers for the 2011 NCBFN State Championships. The first Nor’easter of the season blew through High Rock Lake the morning of the tournament. Heavy rains drenched the competitors as they arrived at Tamarac Marina for the launch of this year’s event. Even as the rain subsided just in time for blast off the wind and 37 degree temperatures made the early morning boat ride a bone chilling experience. Cold front conditions and high winds made for some challenging conditions for the anglers. Like always when you put the best anglers in the state together a few will unlock the combination. In the 11-14 age group Chris Carnes of York, SC repeated as State champion with 3 fish that weighed 5 pounds even. Chris showed enormous patients as he worked his Truesouth Shakey Heads down wind swept banks to scratch out the winning weight on a day when only 2 anglers from the younger division caught keepers. Chris defended his championship this year and proved why he is a force to be reckoned with at this age group. Chris commented after the tournament. “The tough conditions he faced at Barren River in Kentucky taught him to stay focused and persevere in tough conditions. Chris would like to thank his mom and dad for getting him involved with fishing and John Martin of Truesouth Custom Lures for all the support he has given this Year. “
In the 15-18 division Carson Orellana of Mooresville, NC almost doubled the weight of his nearest competitor. Carson hauled in 4 bass that weighed 11 pounds 11 ounces from the wind churned High Rock waters. Carson worked windy banks with a variety of Truesouth Spinnerbaits and a Chatterbait. Carson also claimed the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Award with his 4 pound 15 ounce largemouth. Carson went on to say “I would like to give a big thanks to my mom and dad for supporting my fishing and Jason Shapiro for taking me under his wing and teaching me everything I know. Also Scott Beattie and Doug Easton for taking me out and getting me on the water. Carson will also fish the Southern Opens as a non-boater this year. “Congratulations to Carson and Chris we will be rooting for them in Florida at the Southern Division Championships in the spring.
Bob Bauer the North Carolina Youth Director said “I want to thank all of our sponsors and especially the boat captains. On a day when most fishermen would have stayed home, they volunteered to captain these boats for anglers they had not met before. This shows what great dedication our Federation Nation anglers have to the future of our sport. Congratulations to Carson and Chris and thanks to: Denali Rods, Truesouth Custom Lures, Bass Pro Shops, Koyote Bait and Tackle, River Valley Crankbaits, Captain Gary’s Marine Care Products, Deep Creek Lures, Skeeter, Triton, Berkley, Lowrance, Yamaha and Mercury.
