Fishing for the Future

I went fishing today but didn't make a cast.  I actually went as a volunteer boater for the local Junior Bass Club that is part of my bass club, the Fort Myers Bass Club.  We fished a local chain of lakes, the Kennedy Chain in Cape Coral.  It was a fun day; the kids had a great time and I really enjoyed seeing them fish for their limits of bass.

I had three kids on my boat and they all caught fish.  They had some impressive skills for 13 and 14 year olds and were very eager to learn and ask questions about what to do next. I had fun and will definitely do it again.  Special thanks to Kevin and Jennifer Varnadoe for starting the Fort Myers Junior Bass Assasins last year.  It seemed like the kids and parents really love doing this and it helps keep the next generation of bass anglers interested in the sport. 

If you are looking for a way to get involved with youth bass fishing, check out the The Bass Federation's Youth Fishing Program.

The Future of Fishing

I was just talking with Gary Hanson (@mgaryhanson) last night about the importance of getting kids in fishing.  I found out about a TV show that feels exactly the way we do.  It's a show based in Oklahoma called "The Future of Fishing with Keith and Cody".  Basically, it's a fishing show that focuses on a father and son (and occasional guests) and their fishing trips.  It's a bass fishing show and full of knowledge and tips for the adult angler, but also explains how to introduce children to the sport.  I love the concept and hope that it inspires more people to take a kid fishing.  If you are in the Tulsa, OK area, it airs on Channel 47 KWHB.  If you aren't in that area, it can also be found in select areas across the country.  If you can't find it in you area, their video page has some good highlights from the show. Even if you never get the chance to see the show, we should all take note of their main mission: "Our plan is to get every child involved in the sport of fishing through family values."

Highlite Video from Future of Fishing on Vimeo.

We need more of this: Skeet Reese Goes Back to School

I saw this on the Fishing Wire today:

Skeet Reese Goes Back to School

Elite Series Pro Speaks at Elementary School Assembly

Auburn, Calif. - Being a Bassmaster Elite Series pro provides an angler opportunity to share their experiences on the lecture circuit. While most of the appearances are at a trade show, or at a major tackle store; sometimes the opportunity to share at a special place presents itself.

Such was the case recently as six-time Bassmaster winner Skeet Reese was invited to speak at an assembly at his oldest daughter's school. The 41-year-old angler used the opportunity to share how he got into fishing at a young age and what inspired him to want to be a professional angler.

The school, a kindergarten through third grade establishment provided the angler with a block of time to share, and he focused his talk on having a dream, and not letting anyone tell them they can't accomplish it. "I knew at an early age what I wanted to be," said Reese. "I'm an example of what can happen when someone stays focused and works hard; I want kids to know that they can have the same experience in life if they work at it."

Ft. Myers Bass Club - 2010 Kids Tournament

One of my favorite events each year is the Fort Myers Bass Club Kid's Tournament that we hold at the Kennedy Chain of Lakes in Cape Coral.  It is always fun because the kids catch fish and have a great time.  I enjoy talking to them and hearing their stories from the day.  Just like older bass fishermen, they have plenty stories of lost fish and the big one that got away.  They are the future of our sport.  Remember to take a kid fishing.

Hooked! Find out how Bobby Lane got 'Hooked!' on bass fishing - ESPN

All of us who fish can remember when we became "hooked"....maybe it was bluegill fishing as a kid, or fishing in the saltwater, or trout fishing in a stream.  No matter what it was, it is why we all share that love of fishing.  It is the passion and excitement that we still chase every chance we get.  Bassmaster Elite Series Pros are no different than you and me, we all love to catch fish.  I just read Hooked! Find out how Bobby Lane got 'Hooked!' on bass fishing and it made me think of my first fishing trip.  

I can remember that moment it like it was yesterday catching a bluegill at the age of four years old.  I have the same excitement today bass fishing as I did when I was a little kid waiting for that bobber to go under.  I also read another aticle in this series about KVD and his story.  I think sometimes we need to remember why we do this and to take a kid fishing.  This weekend our club will be hosting a kids bass fishing tournament and I can't wait to see the excitement these kids as they get ready for a day on the lake.

Ft. Myers Bass Club Kids Tournament

There's not much I enjoy more than getting kids into fishing. Today our club had our annual kids tournament. It was a great time, with all the kids having fun...and that's what is all about. We had a 3 hour tournament followed by a barbeque and awards ceremony. Everyone out there should remember to take kids fishing. They are the future of our great sport.

Frogs rule bass drool..very true

That's me helping with the weigh-in.

Dock Fishing

After fishing the BFL on Saturday we headed up to Orlando to visit some of my family who were in town from Washington. Orlando was only an hour away so Tanya and I drove up to meet my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins who were spending a few weeks there. Sunday we went to visit my great uncle who lived in the area. I was excited to hear that he lived on a lake and had a dock in front of his house...I was thinking how I would try to sneak away and fish for a bit.

The day was kind of dreary with a little wind and rain that would stop and start just enough to keep the sun from coming out. Tanya and I kept looking out the window at the lake and finally decided to grab our rods and start fishing. I couldn't believe what happened when we started. Tanya got one on her frog on her first cast. As she was reeling it in, I caught one on a 5" Mizmo Quiver Stick in Green Pumpkin. Both of us caught one on our first cast, I have never seen anything like it. I ended up catching quite a few on the Quiver Stick, with most of them being in the 1-2 pound range. I tried using some other lures, like a spinnerbait, topwater, and even a swimbait, but the fish didn't want to chase anything that day. I was basically casting the bait out and letting it sit for a long period of time, and then slowly bringing it in a few feet.

The best part of the day was watching my cousin Jack catch his own bass. After we started catching them, everyone came out and wanted to try. Jack was using the same bait and caught this bass, the biggest bass he has ever caught. I really enjoy showing other people how to catch fish, especially kids. The fishing was pretty good that day and we able to get two other kids to catch a bass.

What fishing trip would be complete without a story of the one that got away. I had one hooked that was close to 5 pounds, and had it most of the way in before it came loose. My aunt got this great pic of the fish jumping.