3 Youth Angler League Champions Battle for Supremacy on the Sacramento River!

SACRAMENTO CA. It’s the age-old story of “Survival of the fittest”. Where an all-out fight for dominance between warriors at the top of their game, dictates who will be the “leader of the pack” and the standard bearer for excellence.

For a serious battle for the “top dog” position is brewing between three stellar FPT Youth Angler League Championship competitors that own 4 Angler of the Year titles, and no less than 4 consecutive back-to-back wins during the 2024 season.

And for these top-three anglers, as well as the seven other qualifying anglers that will be competing in this year’s FPT Western Tour Youth League Championship coming to the Sacramento River on Oct 5th, the assignment is clear...go out and PROVE you are the best!

Here are some “Handicapper thoughts” regarding the event’s top-three odds-on favorites to win:

Murdoc McGinnis

This “young gun” completely dominated the field in 2024, with FOUR consecutive wins in the FPT Youth Angler Leagues Jr. division.

Motivated by a string of stellar performances, this dynamic teenager has already declared that he will be “moving up” to fish the regular FPT Top-75 Western Tour Series (which starts in March of 2025), and plans to apply what he has learned, against a higher level of competition.

Handicapper’s note: Murdoc’s string of 2024 wins, coupled by his desire to duplicate the success of FPT Youth angler graduate Cayden Cross, and win both Angler of the Year and Youth Angler League Classic Championship titles in the same year, could be all motivation this young man needs to complete a dream season. Look for him to go “all out” in an effort to secure the win.

Jaxen Huckaby

Coached by his dad, Travis Huckaby, a well-respected pro-level angler that himself is a FPT Angler of the Year and Navionics Cup champion, Jaxen’s skills have grown exponentially, as after he won his 2nd consecutive AOY title in the Youth Anglers League Kid’s division in 2023, he was moved up to the Youth Angler League’s more difficult Jr’s division in 2024.

An avid baseball competitor, Jaxen’s schedule would not allow him to not fish all events in 2024, but he still turned in solid performances throughout the year and earned a qualifying spot on this year’s youth Championship roster.

Handicapper’s note: This kid has SOLID TALENT and a nose for the goal line. If he puts his head down and focuses, it could be a long day for the rest of the field.

Lucas Diacon

Affectionately called “Cool Hand Luke” this young man’s strength lies in the fact that he has learned how to manage “setbacks” and not let them take him off his game. This no doubt comes from the leadership of his dad and angling coach Ron Diacon - a noted pro angler in his own right.

Lucas is also a back-to-back Youth League Angler of the Year (2023 & 2024), in the Kid’s division. As a two-time Kid’s division AOY champion, for 2025, Lucas will be “moved up” to the Jr. division.

Handicapper’s note: This young man’s motivation to win is off the charts. If he can focus, and not get caught up in the “hype” of the event, he could do some real damage and bring home the win.

The 2024 FPT Youth Angler League Championship qualifiers:

1. Murdoc McGinnis
2. Ian Ludwig
3. Gavin Daby
4. Jaxen Huckaby
5. Lucas Diacon
6. Brayden Merril
7. Madison Caddick
8. Easton Himmel
9. Rory Ludwig

The FPT Youth Angler League Series is presented by River2Sea!