MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As college bass fishing continues to grow in popularity, young anglers hope to use it as a springboard to become a professional angler, or a position closely related to it.
“My ambition has changed since I started tournament fishing,” said Breanna Wyatt, a member of Faulkner University’s team. “At first I was dead set on going pro. Now, I’m on the line.
“If I had the chance to fish professionally, I would do it. But my dream job is to be a tournament director for Bassmaster.”
As one of the few female anglers thus far to earn a fishing scholarship, Wyatt enjoyed success fishing with partner Joseph Lacy during her first fall semester at Faulkner, managing 13th twice, along with 19th and 26th in the FishLife Collegiate Tour. But success didn’t come easy.
“My first college tournament came as a shock,” said the freshman, who is one of four Pell City High School graduates competing on the team.
“At the FishLife tournament that morning, I went to get our boat number. I could feel the guys staring me down. But it didn’t last too long because another girl was there.”
She also remembered the thrill that she felt when she noted that she was going to be competing against schools that she had seen on television.
“Alabama, Auburn, UNA [University of North Alabama] were floating next to me,” said Wyatt. “It was very nerve-wracking, but once weigh-in came and we placed 13th, I didn’t feel too bad.”
Wyatt and seven other students make up the Faulkner fishing team, which originated in 2008, but was no longer active when freshman Landon Olson got there in 2011.
“I had always wanted to be a part of college fishing, and I found the way to do it,” he said. “I quickly got the support of the admissions department and the team grew from there,” he said. Dustin Jones is the team’s coach.
Despite its small enrollment, Faulkner has enjoyed considerable success, starting with being ranked third nationally in 2010-2011, Olson added.
“I think going to smaller a university benefits the angler more than going to a big university just because of your opportunities to fish,” he said, explaining that even freshmen can compete, unlike at some of the big schools. Also, he added, the smaller schools often offer better financial assistance, through scholarships and help with travel expenses.
As one of those freshmen, Wyatt said the opportunity to compete right away definitely has been a plus.
“Fishing at the college level has brought on a whole new level of competition, which makes me work harder,” she said.
She’s also pleased that she now can make her own decisions regarding fishing strategies.
“At the college level, we do not have a boat captain, so we are not influenced to fish a different way than we would like to.
“Our choices are our own. Therefore, we learn at our own expense.”
