College bass fishing

College bass fishing is competitive bass fishing that is played by teams from universities and colleges. The

Bassmaster

College Bass Fishing Series, and the Fishlife Collegiate Tour.

History

The first known college bass fishing tournament took place at

University of Illinois. College bass fishing is a growing college sport and in recent years, some schools have even started varsity programs, such as Adrian College in Michigan and Campbellsville University

in Kentucky. These schools are both the first varsity college bass fishing programs in their state. The University of Delaware Bass Fishing Team was the first collegiate bass fishing team in the state of Delaware.

Official rules and scoring

Two fisherman allowed per boat

Bass kept must be at least 12 inches in length (depending on the lake)

Five bass limit allowed per team at weigh in (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, are the only species accepted)
.25 ounces deducted for each dead bass weighed in
One pound deducted for each short bass weighed in
One pound deducted for every minute late after weigh-in deadline time
Greatest overall weight of bass limit wins the event

Different tournament series, divisions, regionals, and tournaments

Abu Garcia College Fishing

In 2020, Abu Garcia, a fishing brand manufacturer, assumed title sponsorship of the FLW College Fishing circuit.^[1]

Central Division
Northern Division
Southeastern Division
Southern Division
Western Division
Open
Championship

Carhartt Bassmaster College Series

Southern Regional
Central Regional
Eastern Regional
Western Regional
Midwestern Regional
Wild Card

Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series

Collegiate Big Bass Bash
Collegiate Bass Fishing Open
Collegiate Bass Fishing Shootout
Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship

Championships

Abu Garcia College Fishing Championships

Known as FLW College Series before 2020

2010: University of Florida
2011: University of Florida
2012: Kansas State University
2013:
University of Louisiana Monroe
2014: University of Minnesota
2015: University of South Carolina
2016: University of South Carolina
2017: Kansas State University
2018:
University of Louisiana Monroe
2019: Murray State University
2020: Stephen F. Austin State University

Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series

2006: North Carolina State University
2007: University of Kansas^{[dubious – discuss]}
2008:
Texas A&M^{[dubious – discuss}
]

2009: Murray State University
2010: Tarleton State University^{[dubious – discuss]}
2011: University of Arkansas^{[dubious – discuss]}
2012: North Carolina State University
2013: Bethel University
2014: Lamar University^{[dubious – discuss]}
2015: Northern Kentucky University
2016: Auburn University
2017: University of North Alabama
2018: Bethel University^[2]

The Fishlife Collegiate Tour

2013: Alabama
2014: Alabama/Birmingham Southern

Lack of NCAA involvement

The NCAA is not involved in college bass fishing, which allows teams to use sponsorships to their advantage. Sponsorships allow bass fishermen to represent and advertise a company, receiving gear, publicity, and sometimes money in return. Also, lack of NCAA involvement in college bass fishing allows college bass fishermen to win money. This subject is very controversial, as college bass fishing is one of only a couple of collegiate sports where college athletes can actually win money (cycling for example). However, if the NCAA got involved with college bass fishing, that would be the end of not only college fishermen being eligible to win money but also the end of sponsorships. Without sponsorships, college bass fishing would be a different sport, since most college anglers are financially responsible to provide their own boats, fishing gear, gas money, and travel.

References

^ "Abu Garcia Partners with FLW, MLF Legendary brand becomes title sponsor of FLW College Fishing". Major League Fishing. 6 Feb 2020. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
^ "Association of Collegiate Anglers Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing BoatU.S. Tournament Series Champions". Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship. Retrieved 2018-06-01.

Smallwood, Scott. "Reel world." The Chronicle of Higher Education. 52.38 (2006): A8. General OneFile. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Tournament News." BoatUS News. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"Campbellsville University Athletics - Green River Lake." Campbellsville University Athletics - Green River Lake. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Card, James. "Gone Fishing on Scholarship, With Hopes of Turning Pro." The New York Times. 22 June 2010. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"Final Time Around for The Hoosier Duo." IU Bass Fishing RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"Fishing League Worldwide." FLW College Fishing. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Schonbrun, Zach. "Collegiate Fishing's Added Lure: Cash on the Line." The New York Times. 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"Top 25 College Fishing Teams." Bassmaster. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"Tournament Results." Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship -. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Gregory, Sean (June 3, 2013). "Want To Get Paid As A College Athlete? Go Fishing". Time.

[1] "Abu Garcia Partners with FLW, MLF Legendary brand becomes title sponsor of FLW College Fishing". Major League Fishing. 6 Feb 2020. Retrieved 2024-03-25.

[2] "Association of Collegiate Anglers Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing BoatU.S. Tournament Series Champions". Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship. Retrieved 2018-06-01.

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