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Markham (left) and Davidson placed third at the Alabama BASS Nation High School State Championships on Lake Eufaula
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Anglers ready for Nationals
By Michael Butler
Two Tallasssee High School fishermen have racked up a lot of wins over the last four years in prep tournaments. Carter Davidson and Michael Markham are teaming up again for one last biggie before college.
The 2024 Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship will be on Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, Tenn. from Aug. 1-3. Davidson and Markham will be there just as they were for Nationals last year in South Carolina among approximately 400 teams.
There were no better tandems in Alabama than the Tallassee duo. The two have won seven tournaments, but competition ratchets up a notch next week.
"It's double the people," Davidson said. "They take the best from the entire nation. It's definitely harder competition."
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Signing Day with teammate Grant McCraney and supporters last November
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"But most of the best anglers do come from Alabama," Markham added. "You got to figure out how to catch fish behind people or find as many places that people haven't been. There's always competition. You never get tired of it."
Fishing has always been a part of Davidson's life.
"I've been fishing all my life," he said. "Dad took me out when I was a kid and I fell in love with it."
Markham said he has been bass fishing for eight years.
"Everything else is trash fish," he quipped.
The THS graduates head to college next month, both on fishing scholarships. Davidson will attend Faulkner. Markham is going to Montevello.
"Michael and Carter are not only great fishermen, they are great young men with exceptional parents," said Tallassee High School Head Fishing Coach John Goodman. "They helped (make) Tallassee Anglers one of the best fishing teams in the state. Now it's time for them to show the nation what we already know."
Chickamauga Lake, located just outside of Chattanooga, is known for giant largemouth bass.
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