As each team weighed in, Asa Robertson and Matthew Vandagriff wondered if their weight would hold up. Teams came and went, but the Pioneer anglers’ weight of 13 pounds, 15 ounces stayed at the top.
When the final team couldn’t beat the mark, it was time to celebrate.
Robertson and Vandagriff teamed to win the prestigious Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Classic held on Lay Lake, a Coosa River fishery located southeast of Birmingham.
“We knew it was going to be close,” said Robertson, a senior at WCHS. “It was going to be tough on everyone, but we were sure we had what it would take as we got back to the ramp and talked to other competitors.
“The stage was a wild experience. It didn’t really hit until we were up there waiting on the last team to weigh, knowing we had the lead but it could change. When we realized we won, I was overjoyed and looked out and realized just how many people were there.”
The duo has won several events in the past, but none have been bigger than the Bassmaster Classic. Rubbing shoulders with the best anglers in the world, Vandagriff and Robertson were able to hoist their trophy on the same stage as the pros.
“Other than a national championship, it’s probably the biggest win you can have,” said coach JW Holt. “They had the same experience winning as the pros. It’s a huge win for them and our school. They’ve been on Cloud 9 ever since they got it.”
A slow start had the group wondering if they would even have a bass to weigh by the time the event closed. Relying on their experience – and the skills they’ve honed at home – they began to get bites.
“We were fishing a spot and found some fish, but we couldn't get a bite. We went up shallow and threw a crank bait. It seemed to work - I caught one of our keepers and we kept with the crankbait,” said Vandagriff.
Robertson added, “The key was our determination to keep fishing. The last couple days had been rough and midway through Saturday we knew something had to change. We went and did what we knew had worked previously and it didn’t let us down.”
The local team was one of 14 groups in the event, having earned an invite after being one of the top teams in the country last season. Their five fish topped Riley Underwood and Chance Holt from Briarwood High School – a local school in Birmingham - by nine ounces.
Their success spread immediately, making them local celebrities.
“We were talking at school Monday and I told them to expect phone calls. No sooner than we were talking, the phone rang from a person trying to get them set up with tackle,” said Holt. “It’s huge. It gets their name out there and draws attention to our area.”
No call was bigger than being there to celebrate with those closest to them though.
“It was an awesome feeling being able to hold that trophy. I was glad I was able to cherish the moment with family and friends,” said Robertson.
Vandagriff agreed.
“I've never done anything like that before. Getting up on the stage will all the best pros, it was great. And to be able to fish with my dad, it was great," said Matthew, who was on the boat with his dad Barry all weekend.
Now back at school, the seniors have retreated back to hitting the books and studying for finals, prepping for another stroll across a big stage.
Even that one may not have lights that shine as bright as the one at the Bassmaster Classic though.
