Projo Fishing: HotBytes

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Lowell Turner, 13, of Bradford, R.I., and Kyle Raymer, 17, of Brandenburg, Ky., are the National Guard Junior World Champions after two days of competition on Lake Monticello. Held in conjunction with the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup on nearby Lake Murray, the National Guard Junior World Championship awarded $42,000 in scholarships and youth-program grants to the top six competitors in the 11 to 14 age bracket and top six competitors in the 15 to 18 age bracket.

Turner, who represents the TBF's Eastern division, won the 11 to 14 age bracket with one bass weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces.

"I am totally shocked right now," Turner said. "I only had one bite all day and that was the fifth cast I made this morning. It just happened to be huge. This was by far the biggest fish that I have ever caught."

Turner caught his big bass on a Strike King Red Eye in Sexy Shad color. He fished with National Guard pro Ramie Colson from Cadiz, Ky.

"Ramie taught me key spots where to fish and how to present a bait," Turner said. "I really learned a lot through out this whole experience."

Raymer, from The Bass Federation's Southern division, won the 15 to 18 age group with three bass weighing 3 pounds, 14 ounces. He fished Saturday with Team National Guard pro Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla.

"This is a dream come true," Raymer said. "It's just an awesome feeling. I thought I had a chance to win but I wasn't sure. You never know what's going to happen in any given tournament."

The first-place finishers in each age bracket received a $5,000 scholarship in addition to a sponsor merchandise package.

 Tags  bass fishing freshwater Lowell Turner Rhode Island tournament

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