The Bass Fishing Club casts its lines all over the country from national tournaments to recreational fishing.
"Our club has multiple functions," said Shaye Baker, president of the Bass Fishing Club. "We have tournaments within the club to help teach one another new techniques and to determine who fishes on our traveling team. We also send a team, usually two to eight members, to fish competitively against other universities."
Baker said they also participate in events together beyond the river and lake. A third purpose of the team is community service. The club usually has two or three events a semester.
With only a $75 cost to join the club, Baker said they participate in tournaments and travel all over the southeast, such as South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and Florida.
They also fish in local rivers and lakes.
"You name it, we go there," said J.T. Murphy, vice president of the Bass Fishing Club. "We tend to stay on the Coosa River and the Tallapoosa River though. We also spend some time on the Tennessee River and have been to lakes as far away as Texas and Virginia."
The Bass Fishing Club has set many records.
"So far we have proven ourselves to be among the top fishing teams in the nation placing high in a few national events and showing ourselves as a real force to be reckoned with in the Southeast," Baker said.
Everyone in the club has the opportunity to fish in at least four tournaments each semester, as well as one intercollegiate tournament, Baker said.
"I qualified to fish the two national tournaments by fishing the four spring qualifiers between the club members," said Kiron Browning, treasurer of the Bass Fishing Club. "I ended up finishing in second place for the semester so I was able to fish both of the tournaments along with Paul Davis who finished first for the semester."
Browning said he enjoys the competition between the members as well as other colleges.
There are so many good anglers competing against each other to make it to the next level of tournaments.
Murphy said anyone is invited to join the club, regardless if they have their own equipment.
"As of now all members have their own equipment, and it's somewhat of a social norm to have your own things, yet we accept all people," Murphy said. "With the amount of good guys throughout the club, providing equipment to those in need could easily be arranged."
Every participant has his or her own view points on the club.
Baker said his favorite part of the club is the camaraderie and the chance to travel and fish in lakes that he always dreamt of fishing, but never thought he'd have the chance.
"Definitely competing collegiately against other schools is my favorite part," Murphy said. "Collegiate fishing is really growing, and the intensity of major tournaments is a great feeling."
Anyone is able to get involved in the club and start their fishing career immediately as well as building memories.
"You can get involved by simply attending one of our meetings or even contacting one of our club members," Murphy said. "I strongly advise getting involved if you enjoy fishing because the friendships and memories I have made in the club have really made my college career special."
The club meets every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. The next meeting is Oct. 7.
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