Just before sunrise on a Saturday in August, 25 boats bobbed in the marina at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, Tenn., awaiting the start of the final round of the most prestigious event in high school bass fishing. After “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played, the boats sped onto 184-mile-long Kentucky Lake in search of bass, the heavier the better. Caige Bragg, a lanky 18-year-old Alabaman who was in first place, motored about 10 minutes south of the marina where he knew the fishing would be fruitful. Eight hours later, Mr. Bragg returned to the marina and handed the tournament’s organizer a mesh bag with his catch. At a combined 11 pounds 3 ounces, the three fish were enough to secure him the championship, beating out 213 other teams. For winning the Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship, Mr. Bragg received a $25,000 boat and a $5,000 college scholarship.
Competitive bass fishing has been around for about 60 years, but in the past decade or two, it has turned into high-stakes pro sport complete with star anglers, big sponsors and media deals. The chance to make a living with a rod, reel and boat — or at least get a college scholarship from it — has in turn spawned a growing number of youth fishing programs across the country. The sport’s sanctioning body, BASS Nation, short for Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, has about 12,000 anglers in 1,100 high school and youth clubs in 35 states, up from 600 clubs and about 6,000 anglers in a dozen states a decade ago.
Most junior high school and high school bass fishing teams operate as clubs, not sanctioned sports, because schools do not want to insure the boats and anglers. Without school funding, teams must raise their own money mostly by selling sponsorships, which can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars apiece. Some anglers come from single-family homes, and organizers help them find affordable rods, lures and other gear at places like Walmart.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing