MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Bethel University Senior anglers Kyle Palmer and Brad Ableman pulled off a great win Saturday in the Tennessee State Championship.
The Bass Cats duo beat over forty other anglers from across the state of Tennessee to win the coveted title. The Bethel anglers brought five fish to the scales weighing in just over 19 pounds for the win.
This championship win will vault the pair of Bethel Bass Team members to compete in the prestigious Bassmasters National College Championship to be held later this season.
The Bethel Bass Team has won the Tennessee State Championship twice during the history of the schools fishing competition.
Palmer stated that both he and Ableman had to work hard to catch their limit of five fish during the day long competition. “When we started fishing, the temperature was really chilly and the fish were slow to bite but as the day got warmer, we were able to put both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in the boat.”
Ableman concurred, “The fishing on Tim’s Ford Lake where Palmer resides was tough but we were able to pull out a win and we are very proud to be the new Tennessee State Champs and represent our school.”
Head Fishing Coach Garry Mason said that he is very proud of the two Bethel Anglers. “These two guys are always a threat in any competition.”
Kyle Palmer and former Bethel Angler John Garrett won the historic Major League Fishing Championship in 2019 becoming the very first team to hold that title.
Bethel University has four alumni now fishing professionally. John Garrett, Cody Huff, Cole Floyd, and KJ Queen. No other college has sent this many student angler into the pro ranks.