Pate Willis of Prescott On Fishing Team Headed To Bassmaster High School National Championship

By ., 07/13/22 4:32 AM

A youth fishing team from South Arkansas has earned a berth to the 2022 Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship on Lake Hartwell, Anderson, SC to be held August 11 – 13, 2022.  They are members of South Arkansas Youth Bass Anglers and the team consist of Mark Murdock from Rison, AR and Pate Willis from Prescott, AR.  They are coached by Nick Murdock from Rison, AR, who can give the boys advice but can not help them fish.

There are approximately 275 teams that are expected to compete for scholarships and prizes on Lake Hartwell.  According to Bassmaster.com, these teams “are the best of the best among 13,000 high school B.A.S.S. members representing more than 1,300 high school fishing clubs nationwide.”

Murdock and Willis have fished five trails with Arkansas Youth Bass Nation this past fishing season at lakes in and around South and Central Arkansas.  Their biggest win was at Lake Columbia where they set a team record of 15 pounds.  They have fished in the wind, rain, cold and heat starting last September up until the end of this year’s trail season at the State Championship held on Greer’s Ferry in May.  They are usually up at 4am on the weekends getting ready to head out to tournaments and fish non-stop until 3pm when they weigh in.

Congratulations to these two youth and their boat captain who have put in countless hours chasing a dream that has paid off big time and good luck at Nationals!!!