Story by Hunter Sales
Welcome to 2025! People across the country are evaluating their goals and making resolutions to help them become the best versions of themselves. If you’re a high school angler with aspirations to fish in college, I will provide some advice that you can use to help guide your resolutions. This advice comes from my experience as a college fishing coach, feedback from my anglers, and conversations with other college coaches. I believe that high school anglers should fish smarter, self-promote more, and stay humble.
Fishing smarter is a phrase that I’m using to describe how a youth angler can maximize his or her time on the water. We all have heard that time on the water is key, and regardless of what you may hear from the “mom’s basements” (credit to NPFL commentator Luke Dunkin on this phrase) this is still true today!
Each day that you spend on the water is a day that you’re learning to adapt to current conditions, which baits are most effective in those conditions, and how to position the boat properly. We all have a limited amount of time that we are able to get on the water each week, month, and year. It is important to maximize the time we have. As a high school angler, almost every minute that you can spend on the water should be spent focusing on improving your skills. This starts by recognizing the things you are good at and the areas where you need improvement.
For example, when I was growing up, my dad, Billy Sales, was really good at dragging a Carolina-rig and throwing a Texas-rigged worm. Most days that we went out, our fish were caught on these two techniques, and by the time I was 16, I was fairly proficient in these techniques and in identifying situations where they could succeed. However, there were other areas where I didn’t know as much. (He could have taught me plenty of other techniques if I would have been a better listener!)
Some of the biggest learning moments of my life happened when I started fishing with other people – (Andy Cameron, Keith Walker, Skylar Hamilton, etc.). No one person has mastered every technique, but there is an aspect of each person’s game that you can learn a lot from. High school anglers should be trying to get in the boat with as many people as possible! Even if you’re by yourself, spend time learning new techniques and areas rather than doing the same thing in the same places each trip. Regardless of the outcome of the first few trips, this will result in much greater improvement in the long run.
Self-promoting is something that is unnatural for most people—myself included—but is very important to help you stand out in the fishing industry. Sure, if you’re winning major tournaments in states like Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina, the top schools will likely know your name. However, if you’re from the North, the Midwest, or finishing just inside the top 10 at most events, it’s very easy to get lost among the thousands of other anglers pursuing college scholarships. Our recruiting staff at Carson-Newman University finds just as many top prospects through social media as we do through scouring tournament results and AOY standings. Sure, you have to have the resume to back it up, but social media is a very easy way to showcase how much time you spend on the water and your top accomplishments. This will also go a long way towards helping you connect with like-minded anglers in your area who you could connect with and share knowledge.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to reach out to college coaches through social media, email, or phone to express your interest. There is no downside to reaching out early in your high school career to introduce yourself and ask for guidance. Most college coaches will be eager to say hello and help. The college fishing recruiting process is getting more competitive each year and you are certainly not guaranteed an offer from your first choice. This is another reason to reach out to multiple schools early!
Staying humble is also important to the learning process. There is always something new to learn in this sport. Baits, technology, and the bass are constantly changing, and those that are quickest to adapt often find themselves in the winner’s circle. I recall a specific example of how being humble predicates success when I took Hayden Gaddis fishing during his senior year of HS.
Hayden was fresh off a state championship victory and is still one of the most accomplished anglers I have coached. I have yet to take another high school angler fishing who asked more questions than Hayden. From the time we launched the boat, it was a game of 20 questions. “How do you like that Helix?” “Why are you flipping that bait?” “Where would you start fishing this flat?”
He was extremely eager to learn and has kept that attitude even after collecting numerous trophies. On the other hand, I have taken other high school anglers fishing who will spend most of the afternoon arguing that their specific setup is the best and they don’t want to hear anything different. Oftentimes, these anglers never make improvements through their college days. To put it clearly, always be the angler that tries to learn from everyone, never thinking you have it all figured out.
I know that high school anglers receive plenty of advice, but my hope is that someone will read this and decide to make their own plan. You have to be extremely disciplined to make it in the fishing world today, but there are also more opportunities than ever. Set your goals, make a plan, and chase it with all you’ve got! Fish a lot, fish smarter, promote yourself, stay humble, and let God take care of the rest! Thanks for keeping up with me and let’s all have a great 2025!
Hunter Sales – Angler Profile
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