DeKalb County will see two fishers represent their high school later this year.
Mason Taylor and Wesley Kent will compete in the Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship starting July 31st. The event will be held at Clarks Hill Lake in Georgia. Taylor said he is looking at different means to help he and DeKalb come out on top this year.
“Especially in the tournament, every fish really matters,” Taylor said. “If you lay one out on the boat cause you got a nick in your line, it really stings, so I’m constantly checking everything.”
This will be the third time Taylor and Kent compete in Clarks Hill Lake. Taylor said he and Kent will have three days before the tournament to practcie in Georgia. Taylor said he has had plenty of time this year to practice.
“Really the past two years since I’ve had my license, I just, I go to the lake any chance I get, whenever I’m not working or on the water,” Taylor said.
Taylor said most of his tournaments he has competed in did their fishing at night.
“It’s a whole lot different I think,” Taylor said. “Knowing what you’re doing, and watching your line and stuff, you got to have a special line and a flashlight so you can, your line lights up and you can watch it. It’s pretty neat whenever you get a bite cause you can watch your line, you can see it real good with that special light.”
Mason Taylor has signed with Bryan College to pursue fishing. Their season begins in September. Taylor said he hopes to use this time in nationals to improve before heading over to Bryan College.
Wesley Kent will also compete in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. National Championship. The championship will be held from October 22nd through the 25th in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
