Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
Though Jax Wasankari has only attended Yelm High School for one year, the incoming sophomore is already making history as he was recently named The Bass Federation’s Angler of the Year in Washington on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Jax, the Tornado Bass Fishing Club president, has also received a $100,000 scholarship offer from Simpson University’s bass fishing team in Redding, California.
His most recent accomplishment came in the club’s first year of existence. The club season ran all season long, but the tournament circuit began in March.
“I want to do this collegiately, for sure,” Jax told the Nisqually Valley News on Sunday, Aug. 10. “This is something I’ve planned on doing for a long time, and having the opportunity to get this scholarship was a big boost and a great opportunity at the next level.”
According to Jax, first-place finishers in each Washington Bass Federation tournament receive 100 points, while second place receives 99 points and third place receives 98 points. After each participant has received their points based on their finish in the tournament, the weight of their fish is added to their score. For example, Jax took first place at a tournament in Moses Lake several weeks back and earned 100 points. His fish weighed 12.57 pounds, bringing his total score for the tournament to 112.57 points.
The Angler of the Year award is given to the fisherman with the most accumulated points from throughout the season.
“It’s hard work for sure. You really have to put your head down and grind when you’re fishing — especially in 90-degree weather like we’ve been having. You’re fishing for eight hours a day, and it’s tough,” Jax said. “You have to grind. You have to do research. There’s a lot of background information that goes into fishing, and it’s a lot of stuff that people ignore. It’s a lot of hard work to win (Angler of the Year).
“The reward for (Angler of the Year) with the scholarship is a big recruiting aspect in its own,” Jax added. “When people see that opportunity, they will come to it and try to earn it. It’s a big deal. It’s almost a full ride. It’s exciting.”
His father, Dave Wasankari, said The Bass Federation is a nationwide organization and each state has its own tournament circuit. He noted the Washington State High School Bass Fishing Organization is through The Bass Federation.
“There’s a couple different things they do, including Angler of the Year. They’ll hold five tournaments — four normal tournaments and a state championship. Out of all five of those tournaments, there’s a point system based on where you place and the weight of the fish you catch. At the end of the year, the most consistent angler becomes the Angler of the Year,” Dave, the Tornado Bass Fishing Club adviser, said. “What we do as the Tornado Bass Fishing Club is we promote tournament fishing, teach how to fish, and give kids the opportunity for a fishing tournament. We’re completely separate. We’re a club that promotes fishing, and the kids go out on their own and fish. We have to be separated from it.”
The 2024-25 school year marked the program’s inaugural season. Going forward, he and his son are focusing on growth and recruiting more high schoolers to become involved with the sport of fishing.
“We want to promote the Tornado Bass Fishing Club, and what it looks like as an alternative sport for kids. It’s cool to celebrate success, but it’s also cool to build the sport of fishing, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Dave said. “Starting the program was based on Jax’s passion for tournament fishing, but also giving kids opportunities away from traditional sports like basketball or football. Those are traditional sports, and not all kids can play those. This gives them an opportunity to find something they didn’t know, or something that can keep them busy.”
As a father, Dave is proud of his son for not only excelling in the sport he participates in, but for chasing his passion in fishing and dreams of being a collegiate angler.
“When he graduates, there’s a guaranteed spot on the team for him. They fish nationally on the collegiate series through Simpson University in Redding, California. It’s incredible,” Dave said. “They fish in these other collegiate tournaments, and they’ll go Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky — all the way across the country.”
