Competing against the best high school anglers in the country is never easy. Standing on the podium after three days of competition is even harder.
That's exactly what CAST Fishing team member Chad DuPree and his partner, Maddox Ferrell, accomplished at the High School National Championship on Lake Cumberland, finishing an impressive 3rd place out of 411 boats.
For Chad, the goal from the moment they arrived was simple.
"Me and my partner Maddox Ferrell set out to fish nationals with one goal, win."
Chad DuPree and Maddox Ferrell capped off an incredible week by finishing 3rd out of 411 boats at the High School National Championship on Lake Cumberland.
Practice Built the Pattern
The pair spent all three practice days covering water and building a game plan around Lake Cumberland's offshore baitfish.
They searched for points and bluff walls holding schools of fish where they could rotate between a fluke style bait and the CAST 20G OG. They also located productive stretches of rock and isolated brush piles along the bank that would later produce fish on a drop shot.
Instead of relying on just one or two areas, they built a milk run of high percentage spots that continued to produce throughout the tournament.
Chasing Giant Smallmouth
Lake Cumberland is known for its quality smallmouth, and Chad knew those fish would likely determine who ended up near the top of the leaderboard.
The team's offshore pattern consistently put them around the right quality of fish, allowing them to stay in contention throughout the event.
One lure, however, separated itself from the rest.
"The CAST OG was a key bait in our success in this tournament. Those big smallies loved it."
One of the coolest parts about this finish is that it wasn't luck. I've watched Chad spend countless hours dialing in the 20G OG on Lake Lanier. Over the last few years, he has developed a tremendous amount of confidence in the bait and has caught some truly giant spotted bass with it. Seeing him take everything he's learned chasing trophy spotted bass and translate those same skills into catching giant Lake Cumberland smallmouth on one of the biggest stages in high school fishing is incredibly rewarding. Watching young anglers put in the work, trust what they've learned, and see it pay off is what makes moments like this so special.
Countless hours spent mastering the 20G OG on Lake Lanier paid off at Lake Cumberland, helping Chad connect with quality smallmouth throughout the National Championship.
A Bright Future Ahead
While the trophy and podium finish are certainly special, what excites us even more is watching Chad continue to grow as both an angler and a young man.
I've had the pleasure of fishing with Chad and his dad, Nick, on Lake Lanier, and it has been incredible to watch Chad's progression over the last few years. Every time we've been on the water together, his confidence, decision making, and overall understanding of bass fishing have continued to improve. Seeing that growth translate into a 3rd place finish out of 411 boats on one of the biggest stages in high school fishing makes this accomplishment even more rewarding.
Success like this doesn't happen by accident. It comes from countless early mornings, long practice days, learning from setbacks, and a relentless desire to become a better angler. Chad has embraced that process, and this result is a reflection of the hard work he has put in.
"Overall this week was something I'll remember for my entire life. We made so many memories and learned a lot. I am very thankful to be doing what I love to do."
The future is incredibly bright for Chad, and we truly believe this is just the beginning.
We are also incredibly proud to have the Epik Boyz as part of the CAST family. Chad and Nick represent everything we love about this sport. They are passionate anglers, outstanding ambassadors, and even better people. Watching Chad develop into such a highly skilled tournament angler has been an absolute pleasure, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Congratulations again to Chad and Maddox on an outstanding week at Lake Cumberland. A Top 3 finish against 411 of the best high school teams in the country is an incredible accomplishment, and all of us at CAST Fishing are proud to be part of the journey. We have no doubt there are many more great things ahead.
One Last Thing...
If you're a fan of the OG, keep your eyes peeled. There may just be a limited release of the Epik Boyz designed 20G OG in the near future. Trust us, you won't want to miss this one. 👀
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