Instead of streaking the quad or crashing keggers, Jimmy Entwistle is kayak fishing his way through college. Entwistle, along with a growing number of college and high school students, participates in kayak fishing tournaments as a school sport. School-level kayak fishing tournaments aren’t just fun and games. Entwistle says the tournament trail is part of his long game. “I love fishing and the outdoors is on my career plan,” Entwistle says.
Higher Learning: Kayak Fishing for College
The biggest fishing tournament series are making room for younger anglers. Major League Fishing, Kayak Bass Fishing and other tournament series encourage college and high school students with special divisions and prizes. Bassmaster, the largest bass tournament platform, recently added a college kayak fishing tournament trail to the schedule. The move encouraged universities across the country to start kayak fishing teams and recruit the best young anglers.
Steve Owens, tournament director at Bassmaster, says, “College-level kayak fishing tournaments are a no-brainer.” Owens explains the popularity of college-level motorboat teams proved bass fishing draws talented, motivated and smart kids. “Some schools are offering a full scholarship for tournament anglers,” Owens says.
The main driver was economics. “Kayak fishing offers a lower barrier than motorboat fishing,” Owens explains. Colleges may not have enough motorboats to outfit a fishing team, but a fleet of fishing kayaks and support vehicles is easier to budget. “Kayaks allow more kids to participate in the college tournament scene,” Owens says.
Entwistle, a member of the Campbellsville University Tigers, explains how it works. “The nine-member kayak fishing team and our coach arrive to the tournament location on Wednesday for three days of prefishing.” They compete on Saturday and Sunday and drive back to school on Monday. The university pays for the transportation, accommodations, meals and entry fees.
Entwistle’s journey to the kayak fishing team is a textbook illustration of Bassmaster’s intent. “When I was three years old, my mom and grandfather fostered my interest in fishing,” he says. By the time Entwistle learned how to ride a bike, he was off to the local bass ponds. At 16 years old, Entwistle earned his drivers license and a sit-inside kayak. “When I saw the possibilities of kayak fishing, I saved my money and bought a Hobie Pro Angler 14,” he says.
With the PA14, Entwistle entered local fishing tournaments and joined a fishing club. “I was the youngest person in the club, most of the other members were in their fifties,” he laughs. The elder members recognized Entwistle’s passion for fishing. “They taught me everything, no secrets,” Entwistle remembers.
The young angler’s abilities also caught the attention of Bassmaster representatives who invited Entwistle to the Bassmaster combine, a camp for pro fishing hopefuls. “I met a lot of important people in Bassmaster who encouraged me to pursue college kayak fishing tournaments,” Entwistle says.
In his freshman year, Entwistle won his first tournament at Lake Kissimmee. “The win was awesome!”
Entwistle finished the first day in third place. “I knew I had to swing for the fences to take first place,” he says. He found an area too shallow for boats and caught 40 fish up to six pounds. “I was screaming and yelling with excitement,” he remembers.
That’s the excitement Bassmaster wanted to capture with the kayak fishing tournament series. Steve Owens says, “The college tournaments reach a new demographic.” Owens hopes the series expands to high school anglers, too. “I’d like to see the college series sponsorships translate into open series sponsorships and more sponsor dollars to pay for more tournament entries.”
For Entwistle, he hopes his college tournament fishing experience will lead to a career in the fishing industry. “I love working with the outdoors and encouraging kids to love the outdoors,” Entwistle says. With the opportunities available for young anglers to participate in serious fishing tournaments, Entwistle’s dreams may come true.
College freshman Jimmy Entwistle celebrates victory in his first tournament fishing for Campbellsville University. | Feature photo: Jimmy Entwistle
