Introduction to Fishing
I grew up fishing my whole life; every weekend I was on the water. My dad would bring me and my sister on the boat. When I was about 4 years old, I found a passion for crappie fishing, throwing a cricket around the banks. I was always scared to catch a bass since I was so small it would pull me in. My dad convinced me to start bass fishing, and when I caught my first bass, I was hooked for life.
Experiences and Challenges
I feel like a positive experience being a woman in the fishing community is that many men are wanting to see you succeed. However, I also feel like a lot of men overlook women in the fishing industry as if we don’t know what we’re doing. I’m sure many men aren’t sure what to think of it.
Support Systems
Absolutely, I’m part of Motion Fishing Company and I feel like I’m not overlooked. I feel like I fit right in. We also have a local tournament called Adam n Eve that supports women fishing, which I absolutely love. I fish their tournaments every chance I get.
Representation and Visibility
I don’t feel like women are equally represented in the fishing media. I feel like there’s just not enough women in the fishing industry. Bass fishing has always been a male-dominated sport; however, these days, more women are getting into the sport. There has been significant growth in female bass fishing.
Advice for Aspiring Female Anglers
One piece of advice I can give women in the fishing community is to start by talking to people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Bass fishing comes with learning curves. Everything doesn’t come easy—it takes hard work and dedication. Don’t let anyone discourage you from following your dreams. Fish as much as you can. I don’t think you can go to the lake without learning something new. Take notice when you get a bite, check the water conditions, what’s around you, take notes, and ask yourself why that fish bit your lure.
Follow Tessa on Instagram: @tessa_leev
