Skeeter Benford wins state, heading to national fishing competition
Skeeter Benford poses with his first-place trophy from the Alabama Bass Federation's Junior Angler state tournament.
Fishermen throughout history have a reputation for exaggeration, claiming they caught big fish while they were out on the water.
The only problem is, they never seem to have a witness when they catch the really big one.
Skeeter Benford didn’t have that problem. There were plenty of people around as he caught several big ones to win the Alabama Bass Federation’s Junior Anglers Tournament last Saturday. With the win Benford advances to the national tournament, which will be in Atlanta on Aug. 7.
“I was really nervous,” Benford said. “I went down Thursday to practice.”
Benford’s advanced scouting trip with his cousin, Madison Hardy, proved vital in his successful tournament. He was able to map out location he wanted to fish and put his plan to work Saturday morning.
“We left about 6:30 and I had my limit at seven,” Benford said. “I caught about 24 fish that day.”
His top five fish weighed in at a combined weight of 13 pounds, 8 ounces to secure his spot in Atlanta.
Benford said Roger Motes, who took him to Clanton early to practice and gave him a place to stay until his father got there, was a big part of his winning the state tournament.
Benford said he has been fishing since he was old enough to walk and had his biggest catch when he was three. He said his recent success has earned the attention of local anglers.
“My Dad’s friends ask me what I use,” Benford said. “I don’t really have a secret.”
Benford honed his fishing skills on Upper Bear, his favorite lake to fish. He joined the Tri-County Bass Masters this year.
He qualified for the state tournament through that organization.
His success this year has him looking forward to a future in fishing.
The winner of the national tournament will earn a college scholarship. Benford said he has kept up with the recent collegiate fishing tournaments in Florence and Decatur and would not mind fishing for the University of North Alabama one day.
When he gets to Atlanta he will have the opportunity to fish with some of the pros that failed to make the cut in their tournament that week. He said he will try to stay focused on the task at hand, but will also try to get some advice.
Benford might not need to get tips from the pros. He will have plenty of time to practice before heading to Atlanta.
He will not be fishing for the sake of practice, but because he loves the sport.
“It’s fun. It is a whole lot more fun than everything else I do,” Benford said. “I go out with my friends and have fun. It’s not as serious as other sports.”
