It wasn’t the ideal regular season Apollo bass fishing was hoping for – inclement weather canceled three tournaments and limited their fishing time. Unfazed, the slow buildup throughout the year didn’t hinder them in the 1st Region Tournament – instead Apollo had their best performance of the year and advanced to the State Tournament for the third time since the founding of their bass fishing program in 2021.
Zach Hedges and Mason Goodall, who finished fourth at the 1st Region Tournament, will be joined by Lucas Lindsey and Dawson Donahue, marking the first time in school history that Apollo advanced two boats to the State Tournament.
“It is so hard to advance,” Apollo Head Coach Marshall Graham said. “It is outstanding to advance, especially two boats.”
At the 1st Region Tournament, 121 boats competed, 27 of whom advanced to state. Hedges and Goodall’s five largest fish weighed 15 pounds 11 ounces, while Lindsey and Donahue, who finished seventh, reeled in 12 pounds 11 ounces. Only 71 of the 144 boats in attendance weighed a fish in, as they had to be at least 15 inches.
With the State Tournament scheduled for this Friday, Apollo has been making multiple trips to Lake Kentucky to practice. As of publication, the Kentucky Lake water level is sitting at 358.6 feet – just short of the preferred 360- 362 feet- meaning that the boats have to go more offshore and fish off of ledges and flats.
Competing against 90-100 other boats this weekend, Graham and his team have their eyes on a top 10 finish.
