Three generations of bass anglers from Clewiston helped the USA team win the gold medal in the Pan American Bass Fishing Championship.
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![HOT SPRINGS, ARK. – Roland Martin, Hilary Martin and Scott Martin were part of the 2023 Pan American USA team that won gold at the 2023 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship held Sept. 6-9 in Hot Springs, Ark. [Photo courtesy Anglers for Lake Okeechobee]](/uploads/original/20230914-112300-3 martins with trophy.jpg)
HOT SPRINGS, ARK. – Three generations of bass anglers from Clewiston helped the USA team win the gold medal in the Pan American Bass Fishing Championship. Roland Martin, Scott Martin and Hilary Martin made the international event a family affair.
The 2023 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship was held on Sept. 6-9 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The event, officially sanctioned by the Pan American Sportfishing Federation brought together the top anglers from the Americas. Teams from the USA, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Puerto Rico went head-to-head for national pride and Pan American Medals.
USA Bass Pan American team consisted of the following pairs: Captain Scott Martin and Roland Martin, Larry Nixon and Joey Cifuentes, Hilary Martin and Justin Hamner, David Dudley and Michelle Jalaba, Tyler Rivet and Brock Mosley, Fred Roumbanis and Ron Nelson, John Cox and Keith Carson, Stephen Browning and Hannah Wesley.
The scoring for teams was determined by the “average” weight of all pairs for each nation. The USA Bass Team took home the gold medal with an average 20 pounds 8 ounces of bass per pair. The Mexico team won silver with and average of 16 pounds 6 ounces and the Colombia team took bronze with and average of 12 pounds.
The USA Bass team also took home all the individual pair medals. Larry Nixon and Joey Cifuentes – both from Arkansas – won the gold medal. Justin Hamner and Hilary Martin won silver. David Dudley and Michelle Jalaba won bronze.
“We are so thankful for all of our sponsors that made this historic event happen. Especially our host and title sponsor Visit Hot Springs and presenting sponsor iKon boats,” said USA Bass President Mark Schlarb. “The fans were also great and patriotic. This championship was a showcase for Lake Hamilton and we look forward to hosting the World Championship here in 2026.”
“The Pan American championship was designed to get more countries in the Americas involved in international fishing. The goal is to get fishing recognized by the International Olympic Committee” said USA team coach Charlie Evans.
