Representing

The MISD
Fishing Team had two teams “Representing” all of Montgomery at the TBF National
Championship in late June on Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Northeast
Oklahoma. These two teams were proven
to be the best Teams that the MISD Fishing Team had on the 2024-25 squad, as
proven by their final Standing in the THSBA Houston Division, with Jacob Riley and
Brenner Kirklin earning 2^nd in the Division of 180 plus Teams, and
Seniors Colton Hatzold & Jett Moore placing 3^rd. They also finished First and Second at the
TBF version of the State Championship, with Jacob and Brenner being the third
Team from Montgomery to claim the top prize of being the TBF State Champions.

Both Teams
were very serious about doing the absolute best they could, as they knew that
they were not only representing themselves, but also their parents, schools,
the MISD Fishing Team and all of Montgomery.
How they proved their resolve was forgoing the THSBA Anglers of the Year
Tournament to focus solely on the TBF National Championship, putting several
days of practice locating fish and establishing patterns and game plans for the
multi-day event, which includes the official practice time, a full seven-day
event.

Both Teams
focused on finding multiple ways to catch fish, targeting both shallow and deep
fish, utilizing multiple baits and presentations. Boat Captain Jason Riley reported that, “our
best pattern was fishing deeper brush and rock points with Strike King Series 5
and 6 crankbaits, which helped us catch easy 3 fish limits the first two days
of the competition.” He went on to say
that “our primary pattern evaporated on the final day of the tournament, and we
really struggled.” However, Mr. Riley
stated, “that I was very proud of the guys not giving up, and fishing hard
until the end, and finishing in the top third of such a huge tournament as this
one.”

 

The Senior
Team of Colton Hatzold and Jett Moore fared a little better, catching limits
all 3 days of competition, finishing in the top quarter of this massive field
of over 400 boats. Bryton Kurtz, the
Captain for the MHS students stated, “I was super proud of how hard the guys
fished and competed, leaving it all out on the water.” Colton and Jett went on to say, “that we
caught the bulk of our keepers on Strike King Series 5 Crankbaits, as well as
KVD Magic Trick worms on a shaky head.”

Both teams
wanted to acknowledge and thank both MISD as well as the Montgomery Bass
Booster Club for their support. I think
Colton Hatzold said it best, “without the support from both organizations, our Team
would not be as successful as it is.” Sage
words from a graduated Senior, that is now going on to Drury University on a
100K scholarship to continue both his Academic and Bass Fishing endeavors,
“Representing.”