Why Fishing Teams at Middle and High School Levels
March 2017
Martha Goodfellow Fishing
When asked, others replied here’s why they think Fishing teams are important at middle and high school levels:
Jimmy Kramer
Tina B. High school fishing has changed my son for the better, it gives him something to strive for. It has helped him come out of his shy shell. He has been hooked from the beginning thanks to our coach Johnny Lancaster for striving to get Bassin Colonels started!
Lisa I. I know for any "sport" you have:
Emily O. I absolutely love The Bass team... I think it should be in every High school.
Darrell Lee, parent and assistant coach
Katie S.
Harley S.
Amanda S.
Larry V.
Tammy S.
John S.
Dakota O.
March 2017
Martha Goodfellow Fishing
- Fishing is a lifelong skill that an angler can use their entire life.
- I only know of one adult friend that plays baseball as an adult. Think of how many anglers there are. Traditional sports are good but, so is fishing.
- Education, to improve and become a better angler, you must dedicate yourself to learning more about fishing.
- Fishing can be either an individual or a team event.
- We've all witnessed how the tournament world has developed. Fishing tournaments have not always been... Now, it's in colleges, high schools, and middle schools. The best part is, anglers are learning more at an earlier age and have developed amazing skills by the time they get to college.
- There are so many options from bass boats to kayaks, bass to crappie, to stripers...
When asked, others replied here’s why they think Fishing teams are important at middle and high school levels:
Jimmy Kramer
- Physically, an 8 hour tournament is tough on your body. Mentally, it provides just about every aspect of any sport.
- Planning, training
- Decision making
- highs of success, lows of failure
- Competition and building relationships are only a few of these aspects.
- …get kids out of bed at 4am with a smile on their face.
- It can teach them about the industry from a marketing perspective.
- Funding
- If it is due to money, suggest that the kids gain support through the same methods used by most sports- fund raising in the community and vendor sponsorship. We've donated to so many of these high school and college teams because I firmly believe tournament fishing is a very healthy "addiction" for young folks, and as you said it's a lifetime thing.
- It is not just about fishing! It also teaches
- Ethics
- Morals
- Helps to build the foundation for Character.
- Fishing also provides a sport for those students who may not be or who so choose not to be a "traditional athlete.” What other sport pushes you for 8 hours at a time against the elements and makes you fool one of Mother Nature's most sought-after resources? NONE!!!!! No other sport will push you physically, mentally, and spiritually as does Bass Fishing! At the end of the day it is not about did you "win" against another team, it is did you "Win" against the fish put in front of you that day!
Tina B. High school fishing has changed my son for the better, it gives him something to strive for. It has helped him come out of his shy shell. He has been hooked from the beginning thanks to our coach Johnny Lancaster for striving to get Bassin Colonels started!
Lisa I. I know for any "sport" you have:
- dedication, willingness to learn, rules, good sportsmanship, vast learning curve, friendships, equipment & supplies, teachers, coaches & mentors.
- Fishing fits ALL those... fishing is huge, they may practice with anyone and enjoy it for life. Some middle school & high school sports you may have to leave there.
- It gives all children/ young adults a different choice & skill set. And... when we're done pre fishing & fishing a tournament we have been busy & working out indeed! It's a sport!!!
Emily O. I absolutely love The Bass team... I think it should be in every High school.
- Grades are important! Not only is it fun but it makes the students realize how important grades are in school and make them want to keep their grades up. Team requires a minimum of a “C” in each class.
- For those that think it isn't a sport these kids go out for hours at a time on these boats in the cold and hot weather.
- They have to learn skills and technics to catch bass. I personally have learned certain times of the year they will only be attracted to certain colors and certain bait.
- Scholarships: It can also earn your children scholarships for college.
- bass fishing is now recognized as a varsity sport just like basketball, football, or any other sport so therefore the students can receive scholarships for college
- … gets kids outside doing something that does not involve having a controller in their hand.
- Kids work hard out there on the water.
- It's an amazing sport all schools should look into
- REQUIRES all of my students to maintain a minimum of a C average in EACH class or they cannot participate.
- REQUIRE discipline to be on point and keep a tab on that daily as well.
Darrell Lee, parent and assistant coach
- Kids are challenged in ways other sports don't come close to.
- Mentally, physically, and emotionally.
- I would've given anything if bass fishing would've been in schools when I was in school.
- As a parent of a high school angler, it's an awesome feeling of proudness to hear my daughter ready to go fishing all the time and telling me about videos she's been watching to try to learn the sport more and more.
- Awesome feeling to see the smile on all these kids faces when they walk up to that weigh in with a good sack of fish. Seeing their looks of success both in grades to be able to compete and the knowledge they've learnt to be able to out wit these awesome fish. Just take a look at Jordan Lee. 10 years ago he was striving to do his best in high school grade and do his best on his fishing team and this past weekend became the 2017 Bassmaster's Classic winner. So yes high school fishing teams are very important
Katie S.
- High school fishing gives kids the opportunity to get college scholarships.
- Give kids the opportunity to get out and get more social with state wide tournaments.
- Motivates and pushes students to keep their grades up
Harley S.
- Fishing Team has pushed me to do better not just in school but in life.
- It has taught me that you don't have to play baseball or basketball to be great and get a scholarship.
- That you can go out and do something that you love and still do great things in school and out.
- Fishing teaches patience and trust that you must believe in yourself that you can go out and WIN your tournament.
- I truly think we need to have this type of program for our youth.
- Conservation is what's going to make this world a better place
Amanda S.
- … being a hunter and a fisherman kept him (adult) out of trouble.
- … instead of spending his Friday night out partying he would get in bed at a decent hour so that he could get up early the next morning. He said when all of his friends were out doing things they shouldn't he was at home in the bed.
- I personally feel like bringing awareness, brings conservation. To me the people that do the most for the environment and the land are the outdoorsman. Fishing programs set limits on what you can keep as far as size goes to help reproduction and breeding. This education brings the best conservation.
Larry V.
- Active kids don't have time for things that are detrimental to their future. It gives them an earlier beginning at responsibility with something that they will enjoy the rest of their life.
Tammy S.
- It's a great opportunity for kids, keeps them focused on grade responsibilities and also lets them do something they enjoy, it's a wonderful sport to be able to compete in.
John S.
- It's what most of us grew up doing and gives us the opportunity to compete in something we love.
- Opportunity to introduce people into a lifelong sport that you can do as an adult
Dakota O.
- Bass fishing at the high school level is a great way to introduce students to the outdoors and great way to get to know people why doing something you love and high school fishing will make America great again