Story by Hunter Sales
Last week, we discussed the role of a college bass fishing coach and the steps that have been important to building a successful (currently the #1 ranked) college fishing program. This week, I want to take it a little further and dive into how college fishing prepares anglers for their careers after they graduate.
We have anglers that will graduate and pursue careers in fields such as dentistry, sales, marketing, biology and others, but today we’ll focus primarily on those who aim to make a run at fishing professionally. College fishing gives them the experience necessary to hone their skills, but also teaches networking and self-promotion.
Throughout a typical tournament season, the Carson-Newman University fishing team will compete in 15 major events across three different series. These events provide anglers with opportunities to prepare, practice, and compete at a level that is very similar to a touring professional without the financial risk and stress of professional fishing. Having a program that covers all associated costs of a tournament allows you to fish freely and encourages greater communication and learning between anglers. As a professional, it can be tricky to communicate with other anglers simply because you have so much at stake. In addition to this, a good college team will recruit anglers from different fishing backgrounds with different skills so that regional knowledge can flow regardless of where in the country we’re competing.
College anglers today have a serious advantage on aspiring professionals that are doing it on their own due to this forced networking and travel experience. I remember the first time I traveled to Florida. I was idling out for a Bassmaster Open in between Brandon Palaniuk and Bobby Lane. That won’t do much to calm your nerves when you’re seeing the Kissimmee Chain for the first time. Today, our anglers graduate with years of experience from Florida to New York and everywhere in between.
Of course, fishing is only a portion of what it takes to build a career in the fishing industry. As we discussed in the “Business of Bassin’” article, the costs associated with fishing a top-level trail are considerable. No matter which trail you opt to fish when you graduate, to have a chance, you must find a way to generate $50,000 of income in a year. This can be accomplished through a flexible job, sponsors, or a combination of both.
College fishing allows you the opportunity to meet potential employers or sponsors through networking events that you’d likely miss otherwise. Teammates, their relationships, and even tournament registrations have all proven to be areas that most people take for granted but that present real opportunities. Learning to take advantage of the situations you find yourself in does not come naturally for most people, but is something that our team talks about regularly.
After you meet someone that provides you with an opportunity, you must be prepared to capitalize on it. This is something that our upperclassmen hear fairly regularly. Having a plan post-graduation and materials that demonstrate this is a good first-step. If you plan to fish, having a media kit that demonstrates your ability to promote product and highlights what makes your brand unique from others is crucial. If you’re in pursuit of employment, having a neat and concise resume and the ability to approach someone with confidence and introduce yourself can work wonders.
In summary, college fishing can provide you the opportunity to build a foundation for your life beyond graduation. Although mentorship is a big part of the Carson-Newman University fishing program, the work must be put in on your own. You must be willing to ask for help, spend time preparing for the next step, and the tenacity to continue down a path that will inevitably filled with obstacles. I enjoy helping our anglers navigate this process as much as any part of my job. I’m excited to see C-N graduates start to show up in the fishing industry, the NPFL, and countless other careers as servant-leaders. Let me know what other college fishing topics you would be interested to learn about!
