The top junior angling teams from all over the nation converged on Lake Oahe in Pierre, South Dakota, from July 29 – August 1 to compete in The Bass Federation 2025 Junior World Championship.

Included in the elite field of top prep anglers were Jake Vail and Jaxon Cheatwood from Quitman High School, who qualified via a top finish in the Northeast Louisiana High School Anglers tour.

With boat captain Richie Vail providing the transportation across the northern watery expanse, the local contingent made an impressive showing by catching their three-bass limit on the first two days to come up just short of qualifying for the final day 15-team field. 

Fishing for smallmouth bass for the first time, Vail and Cheatwood finished the first day in 39th place among the 69 competitors with a stringer of three fish that weighed 8.05 pounds. Showing their resiliency, the pair tenaciously worked to snag a second-day total of three fish that weighed 9.08 pounds, which vaulted them into 27th place overall. 

For complete results of all three days of the TBF Junior World Fishing Championship, click here.