Introduction to Fishing
My first memory of fishing was with my dad and little brother in Houston, Texas. Growing up near the coast, we mainly saltwater fished back then, and I loved the thrill of those early mornings on the water, the competition with my brother, and seeing the pride on my dad’s face at the end of the day with our catch. As I grew older, my dad and uncles began fishing local bass tournaments, which sparked my interest in bass fishing. I’ll never forget my first tournament on Sam Rayburn—it hooked me for life! My dad, brother, and uncles are now fishing together in heaven, but the memories of our time spent on the water are priceless and has shaped me into the angler and mentor that I am today.
Experiences and Challenges
Through the years, I have seen a change in the way women are perceived as female anglers. In general, women are not typically held to the same standard or taken as serious as men in this male dominated sport. For example, I still have men who refer to my boat as my “husband’s” even though it is predominately wrapped in pink with my name and my sponsors on it! But it’s not just the community who can be tough on us women, sometimes we are our own biggest obstacle. Even with years of experience fishing in competitive tournament trails,I put off fishing the Opens for years out of not knowing how the men would treat me. But I have to say that my experience was great, and I felt like I was treated with respect. I honestly feel that if we want to continue to gain respect as female anglers, we have to continue putting ourselves out there so everyone will see that we are just as serious about this sport as the men are.
Perceptions and Attitudes
As with the experiences and challenges that women face, I also see the perceptions and attitudes changing. We are now seeing younger lady anglers getting involved in our sport at an earlier age. We have more ladies fishing the high school and college trails, as well as the bigger national circuits as we ever did before. The more women we have competing, the more the community will realize that we are serious about this sport. Sponsorships and audience perceptions are gradually getting better, but we must continue proving ourselves on and off the water.
Support Systems
There are now more networks and groups supporting women in fishing. National and regional women’s tournament trails, social media groups, and podcasts have become invaluable. I’ve been part of several podcasts hosted by men and they have welcomed me on their shows with open arms and have given myself and other women a platform to share our passion for fishing. Groups like Lady Bass Angler Association, East Texas Lady Anglers, and The Woman Angler & Adventurer have all played a role in helping women like me thrive in the sport. The support and encouragement I’ve found within these communities have been incredible, and they’re helping reshape the fishing industry for the better.
Representation and Visibility
It is without a doubt that women anglers have come a long way in representation and visibility in the fishing community. There are women representing major industry products in the media, advertising apparel in stores, and hosting industry podcasts. We are also seeing more women in leadership roles and speaking at nationwide events. Women-owned businesses, such as ReelGirlsFish!, are paving the way for female angler apparel and gear. There are more women fishing larger national circuits than ever before. As our numbers continue to grow, it is my hope that women will have more sponsorship opportunities. I am extremely thankful for my sponsors, and I know I could not compete nationally if it were not for their support. I work really hard to make sure my sponsors are getting adequate representation in a professional manner. Women still need more sponsorship opportunities by larger companies so that we can continue our journey to greater representation in the industry.
I am extremely thankful for my sponsors, and I know I could not compete nationally if it were not for their support. Companies like iBass360, Livingston Lures and Gary Yamamoto have been promoting and sponsoring women anglers for years and they are greatly appreciated.
Personal Achievements
I am most proud of giving back. I absolutely love mentoring and promoting women in our sport, no matter their age. I became a high school boat captain a few years ago and absolutely love it! When I started, I wasn’t sure how much I had to offer but seeing my young anglers learn, grow and ultimately catching fish with a big smile on their face is the biggest reward of all! Once I had the chance to be a boat captain, I noticed there wasn’t a place for female anglers to go and fish competitively on a local level. There was a national trail and a regional (multi-state) trail but not everyone has the time and money for travel and the expense that comes along with those options. So, in 2023, Renee Key Johnston and I started the East Texas Lady Anglers, a local ladies tournament trail to give ladies a place to compete with other women while staying close to home. Our trail stays in East Texas and allows women to feel comfortable, learn new skills, gain confidence and share the camaraderie with other like-minded women in the outdoors and on the water. After being a boat captain and starting East Texas Lady Anglers, I realized how important and how much I loved mentoring young anglers and giving back. In 2023 I attended an angler education program through the Texas Parks & Wildlife to share the joy of fishing, conduct education programs and discuss conservation with youth and adults in my community. I am now a Certified Angler Education Instructor and plan to hold local events/camps in my area to continue my effort in giving back.
Advice for Aspiring Female Anglers
To any young women or girls interested in fishing, my advice is simple: JUST DO IT! Whether you want to tournament fish or just enjoy the sport for fun, there are so many groups to join and people willing to help you along the way. I wish I had started sooner and not doubted my skills or experience. Find a local group, go fishing, and learn as much as you can. You’ll make lifelong friends and never regret the time you spend on the water. Lastly, always take a kid fishing—especially a little girl—you never know the impact you might have on her life and the memories she’ll cherish.
You can follow Denise Sustaita on Facebook at Reel Girls Fish! and East Texas Lady Anglers, or on Instagram at @denisesustaita. For more information, visit Reel Girls Fish! or East Texas Lady Anglers.
