By Kyle Coppola
Lake County Students Qualify for Bass Nation State Championships
Hayden Berryman and Mason Bush, two local Lake County students, are making waves in the world of competitive fishing. Bound by blood as cousins and united by their passion for angling, the dynamic duo had been turning heads since they teamed up last year. Their journey has been chronicled on their Facebook page, aptly named “Just 2 Cousins Fishing.”
(Left Hayden Berryman and Right is Mason Bush. The two brothers reeled in some impressive fish at a recent tournament on Lake Okeechobee late last year.)
Their rise to prominence began last year when they clinched the top spot at the Harris Chain, triumphing in the Florida Bass Nation State Championship. Not stopping there, they finished the season tied for second place in the esteemed “Team of The Year” standings. Their success was not only a testament to their individual skills but also to the remarkable synergy they shared as a team.
Their next challenge took them to the Bass Nation Junior Championships at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina. Despite finishing 37th, the experience proved invaluable. Two days of practice on unfamiliar waters showcased their adaptability and determination, leaving a lasting impression on seasoned anglers as these boys continued to learn what works best when out on the waters together.
(Photo Credit – Just 2 Cousins Fishing)
As 2024 has now dawned, Hayden and Mason are poised for even greater achievements. Both young anglers have their sights set on the Bassmaster State Championships. They have embarked on a fundraising campaign to finance their aspirations. Additionally, they are gearing up for the TSA State Championship on the legendary Lake Okeechobee, ready to tackle yet another formidable fishing ground that puts even the best anglers to the test.
(What will 2024 bring for this group of talented young anglers?)
The team has a raffle going on right now to support their efforts this season. If you want information you can contact Josh at 352-551-7238
With each cast of their lines and each ripple in the water, Hayden and Mason are enjoying the camaraderie, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence as they are looking for big things in 2024. As they set their sights on the horizon, the boys of Just 2 Cousins Fishing are looking forward to a great season on the lakes! We wish both of them including their captain Jason Berryman the best of luck this season.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
