The Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society Inc., is an organization worldwide, that is dedicated to Youth and future of bass fishing and its resources.

Since ”Kids” are the future of this sport B.A.S.S. Inc., developed the BASSMASTER CASTINGKIDS program in 1991 with the help of sponsors.

BASSMASTER CASTINGKIDS competitions are similar to the old NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick events except the challenge is to Flip from 10’ , Pitch from 20’ and Cast from 30’ to large targets on the ground. Scoring is based on a point system the total possible score is 150.

There are four stages to the competition/ STAGE ONE is City castoff’s where a rod and reel, medallion and certificate will be given to the winner in each age group as a prize with an invitation to attend STAGE TWO the Provincial/State Finals. Part of the prize for STAGE TWO is a cash award for travel to the THIRD STAGE , B.A.S.S. National Semi- Finals. If our winners are lucky the FOURTH STAGE is the National Championships, where they could win up to $5,000.00 U.S. in scholarships, which is part of the $225.000.00 U.S. in awards, scholarships and prizes.

BASSMASTER CASTINGKIDS competition is open to “kids” in two age groups 7-10 and 11-14 (as of 31 August in the year of the National Championships) each contestant must have a parent or guardian present to sign the official consent forms and if a winner, must show proof of age for the Provincial/State Finals, National Semi-Finals and National Championship competitions.

This program is also open to the Developmentally Delayed Child or Adult, strictly for their Own enjoyment. Proof of age, age restriction and parental/guardian signature is NOT a factor for them. An evaluation criteria has been set up for them but not in a competition level. However, if a Developmentally Delayed Child between the ages of 7-14, wishes to participate in the regular competition and agrees to all of the rules, he/she is free to do so.

The Ontario BASS Federation (OBF) had two young men qualify for this event – Kyle Heels 14, of Barrie and Scott Barnim, 15 of Ennismore. The day before their championship event, they had a bragging rights tournament with their “pro-partners”. Scott was interviewed after fishing with pro Edwin Evers and said “ It was amazing," He has such high knowledge of how to fish, you just listen to everything he says and try to suck it all in."

Barnim and his fellow competitors in the Junior World Championship were divided into two age groups (11-14 and 15-17). Although the young anglers are winnowed down from a diverse pool fed by 141 Junior BASS Clubs throughout the United States and Canada, they had one thing in common before they arrived in Charlotte: they love to fish and they have been doing it from a very young age. Scott concluded the interview by saying he has been fishing … "Since I could hold a fishing rod, really," Now all the Junior Bassmasters have one more thing in common: they had an opportunity to learn from the world's best fishermen.

When it came down to the actual event, the young anglers had complete control – the big-time pros were only there as mere’ chauffeurs who would drive the aspiring young pros to wherever they wanted to fish. In the fancy Triton Boats equipped with the new color Lowrance Sonar units and powered by the unbelievably quite Verado Mercury Outboards the young anglers competed in a professionally run tournament worth thousands in university scholarships. At the end of it, Kyle Heels came out in 3 rd spot overall in his age class – good enough for $1,500 US Scholarship money. Kyle’s chauffer and pro angler was Lee Bailey and Kyle thought he was a great guy who taught him an awful lot. Kyle’s two ‘money-fish’ were caught on a lure he rarely uses here in Canada – a black buzzbait and one of his confidence baits anywhere he fishes – a green and white Senko.

For the first time since it’s inception in 1995 the OBF had one of its own casting kids, Shauni Voisin of Teeswater , Ontario . qualify for this prestigious casting event – also worth thousands in scholarship money. It came down to an overtime "castoff," in her 7 to 10 age group but nine year old, Shauni Voisin, outcast Hope Newkirk, 10, of Georgia. When asked what the pressure was like in-front of the some 20,000 fans at the Charlotte Coliseum, Shauni replied “It didn’t bother me at all – I just convinced myself that they weren’t really there watching me.” I felt really happy when I heard my name called as the winner and then all the fans began cheering," said Shauni, who plans to use her scholarship money on her path toward becoming a veterinarian. Shauni

Bassmaster CastingKids competitions are similar to the old NFL punt, pass, and kick events, except the challenge is to flip, pitch and cast. Scoring is based on a points system and the contest is won by the young angler who earns the most points by landing a hookless lure in labeled sections of a flat target.

State and provincial tournaments produced the CastingKids qualifiers, and the top five from each of the two age groups moved on to the finals in Charlotte . A morning session Saturday produced the two finalists from each group. In 13 years of existence, the Bassmaster CastingKids program has reached more than 1.4 million children and given away more than $2.7 million in cash, prizes and scholarships. Local CastingKids competitions take place across southern and central Ontario throughout the year. For more details, those interested should refer to their nearest Bassmaster club’s website. The links are available at the web address below.

Ontario Junior Team 2004

2004 CastingKids Finals