Splendora Texas High School Hosts Open on Lake Livingston

A 30 degree morning at Lake Livingston’s Waterfront Marina greeted 50 young anglers and 25 boat captains representing high school’s as far away as the Dallas area last Saturday morning. The Splendora High School Bass Team played host to one of the first ever Student Angler Federation (SAF) tournaments held in our area and despite the rather unseasonable cold, many of those young anglers found exactly what they came for, some early spring Lake Livingston bass. Many of the young anglers, having little to no experience on Lake Livingston, knew they would have to move around the lake to find that magic spot but Mother Nature had other plans when she cut loose her north winds that gusted up to 35mph, which made moving up and down the main lake nearly impossible. Post frontal conditions and high blue bird skies are notorious for shutting down the bite but just like always, someone always finds the bass. Some of the anglers elected to stay put in the Kickapoo area while others decided to “trailer” to different places on the lake to avoid the brutal winds and dangerous waves. Either way, they had to be back by 3pm to weigh in their catches.

Upon return, anglers and boat captains found a large crowd, some hot BBQ, cold drinks, hundreds of door prizes, a rod and reel raffle, and a flipping contest to test the young anglers skills.

The flipping contest winners were Austin White of Lumberton HS 1^st place and Chris Talley of Splendora HS 2^nd place. Austin received a 50 dollar Bass Pro Shops Gift Card and Chris received a 25 dollar Academy Gift Card.

The raffle winner was  “future wildcat angler” Tyler Johnson of Splendora. Tyler won an ABU Garcia Veritas Rod and and an ABU Garcia revo premiere S reel retail valued at $230.00 and courtesy of Mr Mark Budzie, the owner of Waterfront Marina at Kickapoo Creek on Lake Livingston.

Hundreds of door prizes were also drawn for as every single boat captain and angler received them courtesy of all of our sponsors and contributing parents.

Tournament Results

The 5^th place team of Clay Nash and Wyatt Frankens of Corrigan HS had 3 fish which weighed 6.6 lbs. They both received 40 dollar Academy Gift Cards.

The 4^th place team of Gary Hardin and Stephen Davis of Splendora HS had 3 fish which weighed 7.07 lbs. they both took home 60 dollar Acadmy Gift cards.

The 3^rd place team of Brady Schnautz and Anthony Cutia of Conroe HS had 3 fish which weighed 7.56 lbs. They each received 3rd place trophies donated by Eastex Iron Works, tackle packs donated by KB fishing products, and their rods from Wayne’s Custom Rods and Reel Repair in Splendora.

The 2^nd place team of Damon Machost and Justin Watts of Royse City HS had 5 fish which weighed 11.1 lbs. They each received 2^nd place trophies, courtesy of Eastex Iron Works, tackle packs courtesy of KB Fishing Products, 2 custom made rods from Wayne’s Custom Rods and Reel Repair in Splendora, and 2 Bass Pro Shop Pro Qualifier reels.

The 1^st place team of Alisa Moore and Dakota Cline of Lumberton HS had 5 fish which weighed 13.12 lbs. They each received 1^st place  trophies, donated by Eastex Iron Works, tackle packs donated by KB Fishing products, Abu Garcia Veritas Rods and Abu Garcia Revo premiere S reels donated by Wayne’s Custom Rods and Reel Repair in Splendora.

The first place boat captain received 2 deep cycle Interstate marine batteries courtesy of Jerry’s Garage in New Caney.

Big Bass Winner was Brady Schnautz of Conroe HS with a 4.33 lb bass. His reward was an awesome looking glass trophy donated by Eastex Iron Works and a custom made “Texas A&M” maroon shallow cranking rod from Wayne’s Custom Rods and Reel Repair in Splendora. Wayne also donated the “maroon” Quantum reel to match.

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