BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — One hundred young anglers will have the opportunity to showcase their on-the-water skills and network with 25 of the best colleges in the country when the fifth-annual Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter returns to Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., Sept. 5-7. The weekend will feature multiple skills challenges and recruiting visits with college coaches in hopes of reeling in fishing scholarship money. Registration will open on Wednesday, May 28 at 9 a.m. CT.
“This amazing event has offered great opportunities for young anglers looking to fish at the next level,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager for the Bassmaster College, High School and Junior Series. “Over the past five years, we have seen interest in the Bassmaster High School Combine grow greatly amongst high school anglers and college coaches.
“We look forward to seeing great relationships formed between 25 of the best colleges in the country and 100 hopeful anglers looking to expand their fishing careers at the collegiate level,” Cale added.
The Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter will be a three-day event where anglers will perform multiple tasks to showcase their skills not only on the water, but also display their knowledge of the sport as a whole. Each of the disciplines will operate on a point system and will be timed by an official judge. Each angler will accumulate points to determine an overall winner. After the first day, colleges will have the opportunity to select anglers for a “second look” where they can further explore everything that angler has to offer and see if they would be the perfect fit for their fishing program. Only colleges who offer fishing scholarships are invited to participate in the High School Combine.
“When I look back at my experience at the Combine, I think about all of the opportunities that were presented to me while I was there,” said Briley Mills, 2023 Bassmaster High School Combine participant. “It was a very eye-opening experience for me. The Combine made it easy to connect with coaches and present myself and my skills to them. I was able to learn a lot about the ins and outs of college fishing and how different coaches run their programs.
“I was also blessed to make some friends along the way,” she continued. “While I was attending the Combine, I found my perfect fit, which was Emmanuel University. The Combine helped prepare me to take my fishing career to the next level.”
The weekend’s activities will take place at Ingalls Harbor and Pavilion in Decatur, Ala., which is conveniently located on the shores of Wheeler Lake.
Registration for the Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter will open at 9 a.m. CT on May 28 and remain open until 100 participants have registered. The $650 registration fee includes accommodations for two nights and four meals. Anglers can register by clicking this link.
For more information, visit Bassmaster.com/high-school.