DECATUR | Two Belgreen students – one from Red Bay, the other from Russellville – have snagged the school’s first state championship in fishing.
Eli Boyd, of Red Bay, and Trey Hicks, of Russellville, both seventh graders at Belgreen High School, totaled 23.15 pounds of bass caught on Friday and Saturday on Wheeler Lake to win the Junior Division of the BassTactix state championship. The duo reeled in 11.55 pounds Friday and 11.6 pounds Saturday.
Boyd and Hicks also won lunker (biggest fish) with a 5.93-pounder caught on Saturday. They finished fourth overall in both divisions (junior and senior) combined.
The championship caps a successful season on the water for Boyd and Hicks. They previously finished in fourth place on Holt Lake in Tuscaloosa, fourth place on Smith Lake in Jasper, and second place on Pickwick in Sheffield.
“Of all the lakes we’ve fished in, this was the toughest one to catch fish,” said Hicks, who added he considers it an honor to be able to do what he loves.
“We worked really hard to achieve our goals that we set at the beginning of the season,” Boyd said. “It’s a blessing that we are able to do it. We really want to thank our sponsors and boat captain for taking the time, and Shane (Mansell) for putting on the tournaments.”
James “Sonny” Boyd is the team’s boat captain, while Belgreen teacher Mimi Wood is the team’s school sponsor.
Also fishing for Belgreen in the tournament was Miguel Willingham and Ben Wilkins, both juniors, in the senior division. They finished 39th out of 64 teams competing.
Belgreen is the only school in Franklin County with a fishing team.
According to the organization’s website, BassTactix Alabama is “a Christian-based, 501 C3 Non-Profit youth and adult fishing tournament trail. The program was started in 2015 to provide a competitive venue for young people and adults who enjoy the sport of bass fishing. BassTactix Alabama is sanctioned by The Bass Federation (TBF).”
For more information on the organization, visit basstactixalabama.com.
