TBF of Michigan Junior Member Cody Harris Has
Banner Year In 2007
by
Brian Bennett (motocross269) Photos by Jeff Harris
In
Cody Harris’ young fishing career he has already amassed a
fishing resume’ that many top bass pros would be proud to
have. Cody has competed in many casting competitions and went on to win
the Michigan Casting Kids state championship. He qualified for the
Bassmaster Junior Championship as a competitor at the age of 11. In
2007 he won the TBF of Michigan Junior State Championship and on the
next day finished 2nd at the BASS Junior State Championship. Cody won
the TBF Junior Northern Division and placed 5th overall at the 2007
FLW/TBF National Guard Junior World Championship in Hot Springs
Arkansas. He earned a $1,500 scholarship for himself and $1,000 dollars
for the The Bass Federation (TBF) of Michigan Chapters for his
performance. Cody was also rewarded with a sponsorship with Pure
Fishing and Berkley Products.
In preparation for the 2007 TBF State Championship on Lake Nepessing
Cody prepared just as any bass champ would. He studied lake maps and
previous tournament results so when it came time to pre-fish he had a
head start on establishing a winning pattern. He found that pattern in
practice and was confident on tournament day. Cody hit his best spot
right from the start and was culling fish by 10:00 am. Cody was the
only angler to catch a limit and was crowned the Michigan TBF Junior
state champion. Winning the state championship earned him the right to
compete against other junior anglers in his age group at the 2007 TBF
Jr. World Championship in Hot Springs Arkansas.
Cody spent his time prior to the TBF Jr. World Championship studying
lake maps of Lake Hamilton and reading articles on the winning patterns
in previous tournaments there. Through his research he came to the
conclusion that most of the successful anglers were targeting schooling
fish early in the day with topwater and as the day went on fish seemed
to be moving to deepwater points and humps.
When Cody arrived at Hot Springs he was very impressed with the
hospitality that the FLW Outdoors and their sponsors provided. FLW
Outdoors held many events and games that appealed to anglers of all
ages. Like a lot of anglers Cody struggled getting to sleep the night
before the tournament. He spent most of the night checking and
rechecking his tackle and equipment. On the first day of the tournament
Cody was paired with FLW pro Mike Hawks. Cody managed to land a couple
of small fish early, but things came together when he moved to deeper
water and started throwing a PJ’s football head jig and a
Berkley chigger craw. At weigh in things looked good for Cody as a lot
of the anglers had struggled on a tough day.
After the first day weigh in was complete, he had won the Northern
Division and was sitting in fourth overall. He had made the cut and was
fishing the next day. That night the junior anglers had a huge pizza
party and were served by the FLW National Guard fishing team. On day
two Cody was paired with FLW pro Tim Klinger. The second day was much
tougher and he could only manage a couple of small fish and no keepers.
Getting on the FLW stage and weighing in his fish in front of thousands
of people has been the highlight of Cody’s fishing career.
Cody left Hot Springs with the #5 junior national ranking.
Cody recognizes his dad, Jeff, as the reason he is in competitive
fishing today. Since the day his Dad put a rod in Cody’s hand
he can’t get enough of time on the water. Jeff and Cody
fished together as a team in an adult tournament during the summer of
2007 and brought home the first place trophy. It was a special time for
both of them. With supportive fathers like Jeff and dedicated,
outstanding young anglers like Cody I would say the future of bass
fishing looks great.
Going into the 2008 season Cody has set goals to repeat as the TBF
State Champion and to become the next TBF Jr. World Champion. He is
also looking forward to competing at the next level, the Michigan BFL.
Watch out Mark, Eric and Dan, Cody is coming. Cody will be giving
seminars during the off season at local retailers. He hopes to convey
his experiences to all kids and adults to help in any way he can to
grow the sport.
Cody would like to thank TBF of Michigan, FLW Outdoors, Berkley, The
National Guard, his mom and dad and anyone else that has helped along
the way for all of the fantastic support.
In preparation for the 2007 TBF State Championship on Lake Nepessing
Cody prepared just as any bass champ would. He studied lake maps and
previous tournament results so when it came time to pre-fish he had a
head start on establishing a winning pattern. He found that pattern in
practice and was confident on tournament day. Cody hit his best spot
right from the start and was culling fish by 10:00 am. Cody was the
only angler to catch a limit and was crowned the Michigan TBF Junior
state champion. Winning the state championship earned him the right to
compete against other junior anglers in his age group at the 2007 TBF
Jr. World Championship in Hot Springs Arkansas.
Cody spent his time prior to the TBF Jr. World Championship studying
lake maps of Lake Hamilton and reading articles on the winning patterns
in previous tournaments there. Through his research he came to the
conclusion that most of the successful anglers were targeting schooling
fish early in the day with topwater and as the day went on fish seemed
to be moving to deepwater points and humps.
After the first day weigh in was complete, he had won the Northern
Division and was sitting in fourth overall. He had made the cut and was
fishing the next day. That night the junior anglers had a huge pizza
party and were served by the FLW National Guard fishing team. On day
two Cody was paired with FLW pro Tim Klinger. The second day was much
tougher and he could only manage a couple of small fish and no keepers.
Getting on the FLW stage and weighing in his fish in front of thousands
of people has been the highlight of Cody’s fishing career.
Cody left Hot Springs with the #5 junior national ranking.
