College Fishing

[29JMP29]

I'm a 16 year old living near Chicago, I'm getting more serious about bass fishing everyday.  I already plan on going to college and staying in school.  I'm not fishing tournaments right now, but I am probably gonna talk to some clubs around my area to see if they would let a kid my age fish.  I really want to fish on a team in college when I'm older though.  Does anybody have any tips on becoming a college fisherman?  Do most people fish in club tournaments before college?  thanks a ton

[MarkH024]

I graduated college the year before they started BASS College fishing. I'd give anything to go back in time and have the chance to do it, instead I played college baseball.  I think it is a wonderful opportunity to get yourself into the fishing industry whether that means you're a pro fisherman, salesman for a fishing company, or anything else in between.  I think you need to figure out where you want to go to college and get in touch with the club president.  Tell them you'll be applying to the school and that you're very interested in joining the team.

Join a club in IL. Get a feel for tourny fishing. You may not like it after you do it.  Any way you can get a head of the game, is an advantage to you.  Fishing is exploding across the US. There are 1000's of other young anglers eager to prove themselves.  The further you can stay ahead of everyone else, the better chances of becoming more successful.

Stay focused and don't stray from you goals. Good luck to you. 

[tbone1993]

We've talked before but honestly take everything one step at a time. Get great grades and study hard so that you can get into a great University. Almost every college in Illinois has a bass fishing team besides the really small schools.  It really isn't that hard to get on your college team what is hard is getting to fish those tournaments. Honestly you want to build up a pretty massive rod/reel and lure collection. Fishing tournaments I sometimes blow through multiple bags of plastics, hooks, weights,lures etc.  I really need to expand my collection and that is not something I can do without money so I suggest getting a job and saving your money. I have a friend on our team that had his parents loan him the money to buy a boat and by the time he graduated he paid off the loan and had his own boat to use in college.  Just try to learn as many techniques as possible and keep fishing. 

[Sam]

Every university has a list of the clubs you can join.

 

When you are considering a school of higher education please do the following:

1.  Make sure they have your major and any minor you want to earn.

2.  The school is of the size you feel comfortable. University of Illinois has a very large student population. Other state schools have smaller populations. Personal preference.

3.  Decide how far from home you want to go. The University of Florida has beautiful coeds and outstanding weather. The University of Michigan has neither. The farther south you go the better the fishing and weather and the coeds are prettier.

4.  Go on the school's web site and look for their listing of clubs. If you note a fishing club then try to get the details, especially if you are not bringing a boat.

5.  Google college fishing teams and see what comes up. Then change your search to try to locate the teams in the B.A.S.S. and FLW college tournaments. Such teams as Alabama, Auburn, LSU and smaller schools have strong fishing clubs. Even little Radford University in Radford, Virginia has a bass fishing club.

 

Try to locate the Illinois Association of College Recruiters and attend any of the local college fairs. You can meet the college reps and ask them about the school, its majors, the cost and if they have a bass fishing club.

 

And remember, out of state schools will love to have you so don't be bashful and either call the undergraduate recruiting office or send them a letter. An out-of-state fanny in a classroom seat takes up as much room as an in-state student and the out-of-state  tuition is a lot more.

 

Just remember that as you get older your intrests will change. Here is a sample of the intrests you will have as you through college:

1. Girls

2. Grades

3. Fishing

4. Girls

5. Girls

6. Girls

7. Girls

 

Just giving you a heads up.

 

Go to college. It is the best five or six years of your life. Don't Graduate - Stay in School!

[tbone1993]

x2 for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

[29JMP29]

x2 for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

I just visited UW Stevens Point, going to Western soon

[etommy28]

come one down to FT Myers and pay us a visit, we would be happy to have you, plus we have the weather, Beach and oh the girls....

[mtaag3]

Why not go to a school where you can fish year around? Even if they don't have an official "club", there is A TON of fishing to be had. Basically anywhere in the SEC. 

[29JMP29]

Why not go to a school where you can fish year around? Even if they don't have an official "club", there is A TON of fishing to be had. Basically anywhere in the SEC. 

 

 

I am pretty sure I want to fish on a club.  I would go to school down south but I don't know if I'll be able to pay for it, and the major I am looking for isn't offered at many universities, only community colleges.  I'm applying for a ton of scholarships so I'll just see how that works out.

[29JMP29]

come one down to FT Myers and pay us a visit, we would be happy to have you, plus we have the weather, Beach and oh the girls....

 

that would be awesome!!!! especially the 3rd part!!!

[tbone1993]

I am pretty sure I want to fish on a club.  I would go to school down south but I don't know if I'll be able to pay for it, and the major I am looking for isn't offered at many universities, only community colleges.  I'm applying for a ton of scholarships so I'll just see how that works out.

What major is it? I find it hard to believe a community college will have something more than a university, also the university program will be better. Also you can get scholarships from small state schools more than you can large schools. I had near full rides to many small schools so play your cards right when you apply.

[29JMP29]

What major is it? I find it hard to believe a community college will have something more than a university, also the university program will be better. Also you can get scholarships from small state schools more than you can large schools. I had near full rides to many small schools so play your cards right when you apply.

 

fire science.  You had near full rides for fishing?  How did you get them?

[tbone1993]

fire science.  You had near full rides for fishing?  How did you get them?

Honestly never heard of that major unless it is a focused program that gets you started in a career as a fire fighter then it makes sense that more community colleges have it because it is a trade school basically.  Also I didnt get my full rides from fishing but for my academics. There are two schools that really care about fishing IMO and that is Bethel and Dallas Baptist, there probably are more but those two care more about fishing than they do any other sport. I know southern illinois gives a $1,000 scholarship to one angler but that honestly will pay for a year of books so it isnt great.  Side note, I know a lot of firemen many of which say stay out of the industry. It is a dangerous job and they would much rather be elsewhere if they could. Not trying to kill what you want to do Im just saying know what you are getting in to and make sure it is your passion before you commit yourself to it.

[29JMP29]

Honestly never heard of that major unless it is a focused program that gets you started in a career as a fire fighter then it makes sense that more community colleges have it because it is a trade school basically.  Also I didnt get my full rides from fishing but for my academics. There are two schools that really care about fishing IMO and that is Bethel and Dallas Baptist, there probably are more but those two care more about fishing than they do any other sport. I know southern illinois gives a $1,000 scholarship to one angler but that honestly will pay for a year of books so it isnt great.  Side note, I know a lot of firemen many of which say stay out of the industry. It is a dangerous job and they would much rather be elsewhere if they could. Not trying to kill what you want to do Im just saying know what you are getting in to and make sure it is your passion before you commit yourself to it.

 

Im taking classes for it at ECC next year, so if I don't like it I can switch to something else.  I'm putting that ahead of fishing, but I would really like to fish in college.

[MemphisFF]

Honestly never heard of that major unless it is a focused program that gets you started in a career as a fire fighter then it makes sense that more community colleges have it because it is a trade school basically. Also I didnt get my full rides from fishing but for my academics. There are two schools that really care about fishing IMO and that is Bethel and Dallas Baptist, there probably are more but those two care more about fishing than they do any other sport. I know southern illinois gives a $1,000 scholarship to one angler but that honestly will pay for a year of books so it isnt great. Side note, I know a lot of firemen many of which say stay out of the industry. It is a dangerous job and they would much rather be elsewhere if they could. Not trying to kill what you want to do Im just saying know what you are getting in to and make sure it is your passion before you commit yourself to it.

Honestly being a fireman is an awesome career, especially a paid full time department.. We do have a very dangerous job but its very rewarding. The time off is a bonus also I work basically 10-11 days out of the month 24 hours at a time. It's split up like this 24 hrs on and 24hrs off we do this in 3day splits and have 4 days off in a row. Go with what will make you happy, that's important because many people hate going to work and hate their jobs.

I believe Baylor university has a fire science program and being in Texas is a bonus. Good luck with what ever you decide....

[Sam]

If no university in your state offers Fire Science as a major there is a program where you can pay in-state tuition to attend an out-of-state university.

 

The university has to be included within the list of approved schools.

 

Check with any university that offers Fire Science to find out if they are a part of this program and if you qualify for their in-state tuition since there are no schools in our state that offers the degree.

 

Sorry, but I cannot remember the name of the program. If you need the name PM me and I will double check with LSU for the program's name.

 

As an example, if you wanted to get a degree in Sugar Cane Engineering or Cajun French you could attend LSU and pay the in-state tuition.

[Sam]

Sam,

 

It’s called the Academic Common Market. The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for college students in the 16 SREB member states who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their in-state institutions. Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program and pay the institution's in-state tuition rates. You can see the full listing of eligible programs by visiting the Academic Common Market webpage.

 

Let me know if you have any questions. Hope you are watching the Tigers. Just got underway in Hoover against the Gumps.

 

Thanks.

 

Seth Schilling

Senior Admissions Counselor

Louisiana State University

1146 Pleasant Hall

Baton Rouge, LA 70803

225.578.9462 (O)

225.200.8164 ©

sschil5@lsu.edu

 

 

Information provided in this email is relative to the intended recipient.  Official information on admissions, financial aid and scholarships is available from the following websites:

Admissions: www.lsu.edu/admissions - Financial Aid: www.lsu.edu/financialaid - Scholarships: www.lsu.edu/scholarships

 

 

Here is the reply from Seth at LSU in Baton Rouge, where the flowers always bloom, the coeds are beautiful and the fishing is out of this world!!!