Young Bassmaster Snags Top Honors

Local youth fisherman places 7th at his first national championship tournament

BY: Rae Lynn Payton

Young anglers from across the nation met in Huntingdon, Tennessee this October to compete for the national championship title in the Bassmaster Junior Series. Metro teen Preston Keller placed seventh with his fishing partner, Dakota Carter, at their first national championship appearance.

Newly eligible to compete at the age of 13, the pair had two days to practice and become familiar with the Carol County 1000-Acre Recreational Lake, followed by the two-day fishing tournament where total of 54 teams competed with kids from 28 states.

Keller and Carter met for the first time at the state tournament held at Lake Murray earlier this year. Together they placed second which qualified them for Nationals.

Conditions at the nationals were difficult with cold temperatures and rain, but slowly improved, during their twoday practice. The duo had little luck the first two days using Keller’s favored flip technique and fish finding patterns, so they had to adjust.

With only an hour left to practice on the second day, the boys found success as they discovered the fish and their key to catching them.

Once the tournament began, they caught eight qualifying fish in all, four fish each day. Each fish had to be at least 12 inches in length. Anything smaller was thrown back. They continued to assessed and adjust along the way, proving successful in the end.

Carter caught a 3lb. 9 oz. fish on the last cast of the last day at the boat ramp as they were coming in, tipping the scales in their favor.

“I always wanted to fish at the highest level I could for my age,” Keller shared. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

Keller hopes to qualify and compete again and his future goals include going to college, possibly joining a college fishing team and becoming a game warden.

With a huge support system, which includes his parents, family, friends and local businesses sponsoring him, he practices daily with a little two-man boat pulled by his lawnmower to reach their farm ponds.

His granddad, James Jackson, has been a devoted fan and lifelong influence for Keller and his love of fishing. Regardless of the conditions or obstacles, Jackson is a loyal fishing buddy. His brother, Konnor Keller, who is currently serving in the Navy, has also played a major role in Preston’s love of the sport.

You can keep up with Keller on his YouTube channel, Prestonsreelfishing, where he shares fishing and hunting videos, as well as his fish tank updates and words of advice.

When asked what he loves most about the sport of fishing he said, “I just love the initial bite and how it’s something anyone can do.”

He shared a piece of advice for fellow anglers: “Just keep casting lines.”–19SM