Fishing Team

“This year has been a fun one. Fishing in general is just a great time. Of course it’s a little disappointing when we don’t do very well, but that’s part of it. At the end of the day, we still have a blast—especially when we start catching them!” 🎣 Jaylon Blackwell

"This year has been one of the best so far. Jaylon and I have come a long way, and I really think we’re going to go far. Austin Perry was a big part of that, too, last year.  James Cherry is starting to get the hang of things, and if we keep this up, we’re going to place really well in the rest of the tournaments."- James Crain

James Cherry's first career fish in the boat!!! 

"This year I got a late start because of football, but the tournaments I’ve been able to attend have been a lot of fun. One of the toughest parts is when we don’t catch anything, but that’s just part of it."- James

🎣 Most tournaments require a team of two anglers, so communication and teamwork are just as important as fishing skills.

⏰ Tournament days often start before sunrise—some teams launch boats as early as 5–6 AM.

🐟 It’s not just about catching fish—it’s about catching the right fish (usually the biggest 5 count).

📏 Every fish is measured carefully, and there are strict rules to protect the fish and keep competition fair.

🌦️ Teams compete in all kinds of weather—rain, wind, cold, and heat.

🧠 Fishing is like a strategy game—anglers have to think about water temperature, bait choice, and fish behavior.

🚤 Many students learn to drive and manage a boat safely at a young age.

🎒 It takes a lot of gear—rods, reels, tackle, bait, and sometimes lucky lures that anglers swear by.

😂 The “big one that got away” story is very real and told often.

🏆 Even on tough days when no fish are caught, teams still say it’s fun just being out on the water.