Representing Club Florida High School Bassmasters, Quilatan and Rust were the only anglers to break 20 pounds. Winning by a 3 1/2-pound margin, they topped a field of 167 boats and took home the top prize of $3,000. They also earned a spot in the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series National Championship.
After spending two weeks prior to the event sampling the entire Harris Chain, Quilatan and Rust narrowed their focus to lakes Dora and Beauclair.
“We’re locals, so we know those are the most consistent lakes right now,” said Quilatan. “We practiced every single lake and that’s where we found the best (opportunity). Those lakes have the most eelgrass flats.”
Targeting groups of prespawn fish, the winners matched their baits to whatever forage the fish were eating. For smaller threadfin shad, they threw Keitech FAT Swing Impact 2.8 swimbaits on 1/8-ounce jigheads, but when bass were clearly chasing larger gizzard shad, 7-inch No Live Bait Needed K-Tail swimbaits on 1/2-ounce heads got the call.
“Everything was a slow retrieve, and it just depended on what they were eating,” Rust said. “We had a limit of about 6 pounds by 11 a.m. and we kept culling our way up.
“We made about 15 culls. At first, it was only by ounces, then we started making bigger culls in afternoon. Our biggest fish was a 5-6.”
Electronics played a key role in locating their targets, but Quilatan clarified that he and Rust were not employing the common strategy of spotting and engaging specific fish.
“We had two Garmin LiveScopes — one in perspective mode and one in forward — but we weren’t watching the fish eat our baits,” Quilatan said. “It was really difficult to get them to bite today, so we were just casting into as many fish as we could and reeling the baits through them.
“A lot of people were casting at single fish, but it’s almost impossible to do that on a day like today when they weren’t biting that well.”
Reflecting on his team’s achievement, Quilatan said the reward more than justifies the hard work he and Rust have invested into their competitive careers.
“I can’t believe it; this feels unreal,” Quilatan said. “We had a lot of close (finishes) last year, trying to make it to Nationals, so it feels good to do it.”
Rust adds that winning on their home waters in their senior year made the experience particularly memorable.
“We’re super thankful to God; we’ve been grinding, and we’re super blessed,” he said. “And we couldn’t do it without our parents; we love them so much.”
Brandon Goodman and Eli McCraney of Tallassee High School Anglers placed second with 18-2.
Ben Purvis and Mason Fender of Okeechobee Brahmans finished third with 14-13.
Joey Cotromano III of Nassau Christian Bass Club earned big bass honors with a 10-11.
2025 Bassmaster High School Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2025 Bassmaster High School Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota 2025 Bassmaster High School Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha 2025 Bassmaster High School Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2025Bassmaster High School Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
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