When you hear somebody say Alex Goff of Clendenin, West Virginia is “the world’s best fisherman”, it won’t be a fish story. Chances are the shy 15-year old sophomore at Herbert Hoover High School won’t say that, because he doesn’t usually say much. However, he let his rod and reel do the talking on the recent B.A.S.S. Junior World Championship bass tournament on Alabama’s Wilson Lake.
Goff, who qualified through the West Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation Nation’s Mon Valley Bassmasters Club rose to the highest level of competitive fishing in his age division and brought home the hardware and the title of Junior World Champion.
Goff used a spinnerbait and Rat-L-Trap to catch three quality bass amid difficult weather conditions in the Town Creek section of Wilson Lake. Temperatures dropped drastically from the 70’s down to 40’s from the practice to competition days. Goff still managed to catch 8-pounds even and garner a tie for the big fish of the day with a 3lb-7oz largemouth.
“It means a lot to me,” Goff said during the weigh-in. “I would’ve never expected this.”
Goff captured the title while besting five other anglers in his age class of 11-14 year old. All six qualified from six regions of the country. Just to make it to the World Championship was a feat when Goff bested every junior angler in his class from the Mid-Atlantic Region and won the state tournament to begin his journey to Alabama.
He’s the first West Virginia junior angler to ever win a world championship. Alex is the son of Mike and Katrina Goff of Clendenin. He plays baseball and is a member of the wrestling team at Herbert Hoover High School.
To the victor go the spoils. Goff wins the trophy and title of Junior World Champion. He also garnered a $100 Cabela’s gift card for the big bass award. As champion he collects a $500 scholarship and a 16′ Triton boat package.