Congratulations to Dobyns Pro's Brice Boseman and Corey Maples who took first place with the first Lake Fork Fall Teams event of the JC Outdoors Tournament Trail series. 

They braved the scorching temps and put their Champion Extreme HP DX 742C SH to work, drop shotting. 

Congratulations Brice and Corey!

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by Dobyns Rods Collegiate Pro Chase Clarke

In the world of competitive angling, “preparing for the next level,” can mean any number of different things. For me, it’s moving on from college fishing after a great career with Auburn University’s Bass Fishing Team to the next avenues of our sport from the BFLs to the Bassmaster Opens. For others it could be getting ready to begin their career in college fishing and that is primarily what I want to discuss today. I grew up in Virginia Beach, an area that is not necessarily known for bass fishing. Virginia does not have a huge presence in the high school fishing world, but I am an example of how young anglers can come from anywhere and be successful in our sport at the college level, given they put the time and effort in on and off the water. The first thing young anglers need to do to prepare for college angling in my opinion does not actually come on the water, but in the classroom. A huge key to my success as a collegiate angler was because I was able to learn and develop good habits early (starting in high school). Discipline is important and it starts at school, keeping your grades high and your work done ahead of time to avoid procrastination is very important as it allows your focus to have a sole objective when you show up at the ramp for practice or the first day of your tournament. Another characteristic I’ve developed as a student and growing angler is a work ethic, it’s even part of our creed here at Auburn University, “I believe in work, hard work.” This is a motto that I’ve taken to heart in several different ways and one that I would advise all young anglers to as well. With the fishing world being so competitive now a days, finding a way to separate yourself is key, and hard work is one of the ways to do it. Take a guy such as Carl Jocumsen for example, his motto is “Fear my Heart,” now a phrase I’m sure many of us are aware of. Looking at that phrase from an outsider’s perspective I can clearly see determination and work ethic mingled into it. When tournament time rolls around having put in the work ahead of time from being the first one at the ramp in practice and the last one to leave, to making sure all of your equipment has been prepared and is working properly is critically important to being successful and landing those big fish! Lastly, and just as important as the previous two keys to being successful in college fishing is building relationships and networking. Again, this starts back on campus at your school, whether it’s a high school or a college. Start building those key relationships with your teachers or professors right away and let them know your intentions and aspirations in the fishing world from the first day of classes. This starts to build a sense of repour with them and they will be more willing to help get you caught up when your gone for tournaments and keep you informed of what needs to be completed while you’re away. This is extremely important, because if your grades fall while at school often your fishing time does as well, as your coaches or presidents will limit your travel time if not take it away altogether if your academics are not up to the standards at your school. On the fishing side of things networking is equally as important. Finding a friend group that you can trust can help benefit you as often everybody’s expertise will be different in some way and breaking down and learning new bodies of water will come with more ease when you have other people and boats to help you. In conclusion, the primary thing youngers anglers need to do to prepare for college fishing and beyond is to master time management skills, create a strong work ethic, and start networking, never burning a single bridge along the way. 

Congratulations to Matt Elliot who took 1st Place on Lake Chesdin with the Virgina Kayak Trail. The Champion Extreme HP DX 702SF and DX 703SF lead the way during the two-day classic which also secured his spot as Angler Of The Year.  

Congratulations Matt!