College Fishing

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Do you think college fishing is better or worse without NCAA recognition and would being recognized by the NCAA ruin college fishing ?

[bowfish12]

Do you think college fishing is better or worse without NCAA recognition and would being recognized by the NCAA ruin college fishing ?

If the NCAA had any say in it, it would be ruined.

[Thefishy1]

Agreed^^

Besides the NCAA dosent seem to like our school very much right now anyway.

[salmicropterus]

I'm probably in the small minority on this but as to college fishing-I don't get it. It's basically taking some under-experienced people, putting some jerseys on them and selling it big time on FLW. It's week after week on FLW Outdoors and it's like being force-fed.  I mean, couldn't the same promotional resources be thrown at BFLs or whatever Stren is called now? I understand it's a means to attract new blood to the sport but a resource spent here is one not spent there and it seems that the BFLs or even Bass Federation people should get some of the pie too. I'm not saying to can it just maybe help on the weekend warriors who are trying to move and deserve some exposure too. OK, go ahead and shoot me LOL

[Grey Wolf]

How many conferances  have fishing teams and hold national tournaments like they do in other sports ?

[Ima Bass Ninja]

How many conferances have fishing teams and hold national tournaments like they do in other sports ?

No conferences and no national title because NCAA does not recognize fishing as a sport. If they did, then it would go to conference play and a national championship. Hence the question, Would that ruin college bass fishing? One thing you can bet, if the FLW starts to profit off of college fishing ,then the NCAA will scoot right on in.

[etommy28]

I'm probably in the small minority on this but as to college fishing-I don't get it. It's basically taking some under-experienced people, putting some jerseys on them and selling it big time on FLW. It's week after week on FLW Outdoors and it's like being force-fed. I mean, couldn't the same promotional resources be thrown at BFLs or whatever Stren is called now? I understand it's a means to attract new blood to the sport but a resource spent here is one not spent there and it seems that the BFLs or even Bass Federation people should get some of the pie too. I'm not saying to can it just maybe help on the weekend warriors who are trying to move and deserve some exposure too. OK, go ahead and shoot me LOL

Really? Why dont you look at how these under expiranced anglers do in big tournaments. Lets start on the list, Jake gibson did very well in the Forrest wood cup, Shaye baker has done well in the everstarts, Mile "sonar"(cant spell his last name) won a BFL on Okeechobee by over 10 pounds. I could go on and on but I wont, so please explain your self. I will admit some of the anglers are not nearly on that level but to group every one together is wrong because some of the best up and coming anglers in the world are in college fishing.

[salmicropterus]

I didn't say they were bad as a group and certainly, as you point out, there are many that have done quite well in overall competition. BTW, Miles "Sonar" is Gary Burghoff's son or relative. Gary played "Radar" on MASH, thus the play on the name. The thrust of my point, which perhaps I made inexpertly, was that it would be nice to spread the resources and pub over a broader scope of weekenders such as BFL-ers many of whom are also quite good and deserving too. I think they think they see a rich vein of marketing connection and identification with the colleges which may or not be real. Time will ell

[Grey Wolf]

I'm probably in the small minority on this but as to college fishing-I don't get it. It's basically taking some under-experienced people, putting some jerseys on them and selling it big time on FLW. It's week after week on FLW Outdoors and it's like being force-fed. I mean, couldn't the same promotional resources be thrown at BFLs or whatever Stren is called now? I understand it's a means to attract new blood to the sport but a resource spent here is one not spent there and it seems that the BFLs or even Bass Federation people should get some of the pie too. I'm not saying to can it just maybe help on the weekend warriors who are trying to move and deserve some exposure too. OK, go ahead and shoot me LOL

Really? Why dont you look at how these under expiranced anglers do in big tournaments. Lets start on the list, Jake gibson did very well in the Forrest wood cup, Shaye baker has done well in the everstarts, Mile "sonar"(cant spell his last name) won a BFL on Okeechobee by over 10 pounds. I could go on and on but I wont, so please explain your self. I will admit some of the anglers are not nearly on that level but to group every one together is wrong because some of the best up and coming anglers in the world are in college fishing.

Man you're going to have a heart attack , why get so upset when you think people are attacking your particular group of people , everyone os entitled to their point of view.Grow up a little bit.

[b.Lee]

It will never be a NCAA sanctioned sport, much like paintball will never be. I know I tried.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

It will never be a NCAA sanctioned sport, much like paintball will never be. I know I tried.

I would agree with the exception that it becomes a profitable venue. Then i would bet good money the NCAA would get their hands in it.

[Dalton Tam]

I'm probably in the small minority on this but as to college fishing-I don't get it. It's basically taking some under-experienced people, putting some jerseys on them and selling it big time on FLW. It's week after week on FLW Outdoors and it's like being force-fed. I mean, couldn't the same promotional resources be thrown at BFLs or whatever Stren is called now? I understand it's a means to attract new blood to the sport but a resource spent here is one not spent there and it seems that the BFLs or even Bass Federation people should get some of the pie too. I'm not saying to can it just maybe help on the weekend warriors who are trying to move and deserve some exposure too. OK, go ahead and shoot me LOL

LOL maybe you should go back to college....... ;D

[etommy28]

I didn't say they were bad as a group and certainly, as you point out, there are many that have done quite well in overall competition. BTW, Miles "Sonar" is Gary Burghoff's son or relative. Gary played "Radar" on MASH, thus the play on the name. The thrust of my point, which perhaps I made inexpertly, was that it would be nice to spread the resources and pub over a broader scope of weekenders such as BFL-ers many of whom are also quite good and deserving too. I think they think they see a rich vein of marketing connection and identification with the colleges which may or not be real. Time will ell

Yeah miles is some one who I hang out with at tournys and stuff and talk to alot. I dont mean to make is sound like im up set or any thing I was just pointing out that there are some excellent anglers who do diserve the the air time.

[bigbassctchr101]

I'll chime in a little. I fished CollegeBass...kinda along the same lines.  There are several guys that are truly great fisherman that fish college tournaments.  I have no arguments about that,  do they deserve the air time???  Sure,  but not more than anyone else that has spent their time and put in the hard work just because they fish.  Yes, BFL guys and Stren should also get some of the media attention to. 

I don't think its a bad thing to put these college anglers on like they have been doing,  just because you go to college does not mean you are fishing these tournaments.  Its like any other sport, just because you enjoy and play basketball, it doesn't mean your on the college team.  Even as a college angler you have to work at it, and stand up and out above the others to make it where these guys are.

 

The reason I think it IS a good thing is that it gives these younger guys another incentive of going to college.  I'm sure it won't pull in a huge amount of people, but every one it does pull in, it helps.  These anglers must first be part of a fishing club in their college,  a club is usually made to do so much community service for the community or the college.  They usually offer seminars, prizes, and a helpful hand to anyone that is willing to want to learn. 

That is why, IMO, they stand out above BFL and other tourn trails and deserve the publicity.  These guys are ambassadors for the school, for fishing, true sportsmanship, and for a helping patron of the community around him.

[lynyrdsky1]

I didn't say they were bad as a group and certainly, as you point out, there are many that have done quite well in overall competition. BTW, Miles "Sonar" is Gary Burghoff's son or relative. Gary played "Radar" on MASH, thus the play on the name. The thrust of my point, which perhaps I made inexpertly, was that it would be nice to spread the resources and pub over a broader scope of weekenders such as BFL-ers many of whom are also quite good and deserving too. I think they think they see a rich vein of marketing connection and identification with the colleges which may or not be real. Time will ell

Yeah miles is some one who I hang out with at tournys and stuff and talk to alot. I dont mean to make is sound like im up set or any thing I was just pointing out that there are some excellent anglers who do diserve the the air time.

isn't he the guy who played "Radar" on M*A*S*H's son?

[central.PA.bass]

I didn't say they were bad as a group and certainly, as you point out, there are many that have done quite well in overall competition. BTW, Miles "Sonar" is Gary Burghoff's son or relative. Gary played "Radar" on MASH, thus the play on the name. The thrust of my point, which perhaps I made inexpertly, was that it would be nice to spread the resources and pub over a broader scope of weekenders such as BFL-ers many of whom are also quite good and deserving too. I think they think they see a rich vein of marketing connection and identification with the colleges which may or not be real. Time will ell

Yeah miles is some one who I hang out with at tournys and stuff and talk to alot. I dont mean to make is sound like im up set or any thing I was just pointing out that there are some excellent anglers who do diserve the the air time.

isn't he the guy who played "Radar" on M*A*S*H's son?

umm...

[lynyrdsky1]

I didn't say they were bad as a group and certainly, as you point out, there are many that have done quite well in overall competition. BTW, Miles "Sonar" is Gary Burghoff's son or relative. Gary played "Radar" on MASH, thus the play on the name. The thrust of my point, which perhaps I made inexpertly, was that it would be nice to spread the resources and pub over a broader scope of weekenders such as BFL-ers many of whom are also quite good and deserving too. I think they think they see a rich vein of marketing connection and identification with the colleges which may or not be real. Time will ell

Yeah miles is some one who I hang out with at tournys and stuff and talk to alot. I dont mean to make is sound like im up set or any thing I was just pointing out that there are some excellent anglers who do diserve the the air time.

isn't he the guy who played "Radar" on M*A*S*H's son?

umm...

oh my mistake  haha

[central.PA.bass]

haha

[Super Fluke]

I know this could took as a repetative answer. But at my last boat show I attended, one of Texas finest college fishing teams were there promoting themselves. I spoke with them for a while and what it always seems to boil down to is the RICH kids are the ones competing and the POOR kids are the ones dreaming about competing. This was all but said to me on this subject by those that were there representing. Sad that the rich get richer and the poor, well....

Having said all that it doesnt mean that I or mine have given up competing at different levels, it just means, we have to work twice as hard as others do.

[atrocity123]

there's only one purpose to college fishing, incentive to go to college...

[Catt]

there's only one purpose to college fishing, incentive to go to college...

FLW Outdoors has awarded more than $2 million in scholarship money to more than 100 colleges and universities.

[etommy28]

It is too bad to say but in some cases Sper fluke is correct, but other schools are much more help for thier club and they will give the teams enough money to help make it so any of the anglers who qualify can fish, I know my school helps us enough that rich or poor we can compete.

[erau618]

It's basically taking some under-experienced people, putting some jerseys on them and selling it big time on FLW.

I totally agree. If you see any of the results from the tournaments, about 1/4 of the field doesn't catch a fish and many other teams don't do much better. From my experience, the college teams are just looking to fill jersey space with sponsors instead of practicing and getting better at fishing.

I do like the fact that the college flw is allowing people to gain "big tournament" experience. I guess that this is their way to recruit people to the BFL or another FLW series, and sell their magazine and membership.

To the guy in Texas who said that it is only the rich that get to fish, these kids need to get a job. I went to school full time and worked full time to pay the bills. It won't hurt any of these kids to put the beer down and work a 2nd or 3rd shift.

-Eric

[lmoore]

I totally agree. If you see any of the results from the tournaments, about 1/4 of the field doesn't catch a fish and many other teams don't do much better. From my experience, the college teams are just looking to fill jersey space with sponsors instead of practicing and getting better at fishing.

I do like the fact that the college flw is allowing people to gain "big tournament" experience. I guess that this is their way to recruit people to the BFL or another FLW series, and sell their magazine and membership.

To the guy in Texas who said that it is only the rich that get to fish, these kids need to get a job. I went to school full time and worked full time to pay the bills. It won't hurt any of these kids to put the beer down and work a 2nd or 3rd shift.

-Eric

The results of the FLW college tourneys are negatively effected by being held after the EverStart series. 100 boats fishing hard for two days before the tournament can really effect the fish. That being said, there are also a lot of guys fishing those that don't belong in a bass boat. That's probably a product of FLW providing boats for the tournaments. There are good and bad things with the FLW College circuit, just like with any other. IMO, the College BASS is the best college series out there. Big time tournament experience, not held right on the tail of a big tournament series, and people have to bring boats so you basically only get the serious competitors.

[etommy28]

I totally agree. If you see any of the results from the tournaments, about 1/4 of the field doesn't catch a fish and many other teams don't do much better. From my experience, the college teams are just looking to fill jersey space with sponsors instead of practicing and getting better at fishing.

I do like the fact that the college flw is allowing people to gain "big tournament" experience. I guess that this is their way to recruit people to the BFL or another FLW series, and sell their magazine and membership.

To the guy in Texas who said that it is only the rich that get to fish, these kids need to get a job. I went to school full time and worked full time to pay the bills. It won't hurt any of these kids to put the beer down and work a 2nd or 3rd shift.

-Eric

Eric, why dont you look at how the FLW tournaments work, I am giving you first hand expirance. If you find fish so do 10 guys in the everstart and they get trashed, you are fishing the back end of the everstart, they typically keep you off some of the best water, and for my school which is in the South east region, our 3 of our tournaments are over 13 hours away, meaning it is impossible to practice. I do agree that thier are some fisherman out there who are not good but many are very good and some are they fisherman you will be watching on TV consitantly very soon. Also dont fool your self many of the guys do have jobs, not 40 hours a week jobs but many work 20-30 hours a week.

As for sponsors, I can only talk from expirance, we walked around the bassmaster classic this year and had 5 different companies come to us asking us to let them help us. So while some do many dont really even worry too much about and just take what comes thier way.