RB College Bass Fishing
College Bass Fishing is growing popularity amoung todays young adults.
Derrick Hicks
My name is Derrick Hicks, and I would like to talk about college bass fishing. To me, college bass fishing has taken this sport to a whole new level. Six years ago, when I first got into this sport, fishing form the shoreline, not having a clue what I was doing, I would have never guessed I would be where I am now. I entered my first tournament at age 17. This tournament was on the California Delta, and this was my first time bass fishing on the Delta as well. Out of 90+ boats, I took 9th in that tournament. Just by placing in the top 10, I knew that tournament bass fishing was something that I wanted to pursue further. I am now attending Humboldt State University as a Freshwater Fisheries Biology major, and competing in the FLW College Series. Not only do I get to travel around the country, but I also have been given the opportunity fish with other colleges across the nation, with boats and travel allowances provided to us. As a college student, money is tight, and the fact that FLW helps us travel, and provides us with what we need, that is something that I really envy about the college circuit. College fishing at all levels has opened the door to bass anglers to get out there and experience what the tournament life is all about. Since becoming a part of the Humboldt State University team, I have acquired two sponsors who I am very proud to endorse, Viscous Fishing, and Redwood Marine (Eureka, California). I am absolutely honored to endorse both companies and I represent them with great confidence and passion. FLW has really opened the door for me, and other young anglers across the country, and I hope that I can take this opportunity that I have been granted and use it to really make a name for myself and to continue my tournament bass fishing career in the future.
Tight Lines,
Derrick Hicks
HSU Fisheries Biology
HSU FLW Bass Team
contact Derrick : Derrickhicks_43@yahoo.com
Jen Edgar
Some one on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour said fish can’t tell if you’re male or female…so why should it matter to us above water? If you are fortunate enough to have experienced fishing and have caught the ‘bug’ so to speak, gender should not hold you back. Fishing is a sport where you are your own competition; it is just you and the fish.
I grew up fishing northern California Rivers like Klamath, Russian, Eel, etc for salmon and steelhead. I went bass fishing for the first time a little over 4 years ago and have been obsessed with it ever since. Within my hometown of Ukiah, I am fortunate to have Lake Mendocino a great little place to learn and just get out on the water and also being 30 minutes away from one the best bass fisheries in CA, Clear Lake! I entered my first tournament (WON Bass pro/am) as an AAA in April of 2008 with the help of a good friend Marc Brown who has been successful in many bass tournaments in the area. I have been involved in as many tournaments as possible ever since.
If I can give any advice to anyone wanting to get involved in tournament fishing it is to gather as much information as you can via websites, magazines, TV shows, etc and more importantly talk with local pros and guides and frequent the tackle shops, you will be surprised how many of them are just down to earth people who are more than happy to teach you about the sport. I am very fortunate to have met Brown, and others like Mark Crutcher, and the guys at Tackle It in Lakeport. They have all been so helpful in pointing me in the right direction. Through them, I am now able to proudly promote my first sponsor, Powell Rods.
Currently I am attending Humboldt State University as a freshwater fisheries biology major, and the president of the Bass Team/Club. I found out about the FLW Collegiate Tour late in 2008 and instantly knew it was going to be an amazing opportunity. I approached the fish club president at the time and created a bass club extension of the club. The first year of the FLW College Tour (2009) was so much fun, I found one other person interested in joining me so we did three out of the four tournaments in the Western Division. This collegiate tour is a great way to start bass fishing on a tournament level; the FLW does an awesome job. Now in our second year, our bass team has grown to three, two person teams and we have gained sponsors outside of our local area like Vicious Fishing, and El Grande Lures along with our local tackle shop Redwood Marine in Eureka. I’ve also been gaining more knowledge from two local tournament pros Keith Adams and Terri Bittner whom fishes the Women’s Bassmaster Tour as a co-angler.
Bass fishing circuits are a great way to experience the outdoors, meet people with common interests, travel and so much more. Your gender does not stop you from being an angler, male or female it depends on your motivation and willingness to learn and compete. How competitive you chose to get with the sport is up to you. As involved as I am getting in tournaments, I still enjoy fun trips with friends and family to the closest lake or pond and casting out in hopes of feeling that thump on the end of my line!
It’s amazing to think of how fishing has positively affected my life, it is something I could never live without. I will always be a student of the sport, and am thankful I have the friends, teammates, sponsors and mentors to help guide me along.
Jen Edgar
HSU Bass Team
bballallstar_32@msn.com
