Bass anglers schooled
ColleGe to the pRos
by tyleR bRINKs
C
in more than just f ishing
elite Series and he cashed a check in his first five tournaments on the way to his rookie of the Year title. Clent davis of Montevallo, ala. studied kinesiology and history at the University of Montevallo. after his college graduation, he fished a season as a co-angler on the FlW tour. His success from the back of the boat prompted him to make the jump to the pros. His rookie season was one of consistency and he qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup and
ollege fishing continues to grow at an astonishing pace. The growth has al- lowed many young anglers to advance to the regional and national tournaments post-college. This year was a major year for colle- giate fishing. it was the first time that college fishing alumni were fishing at the top-level in bass fishing. Brandon Card on the Bassmaster elite Series and Clent davis on the FlW tour angler showed they had what it takes to compete with the pros. Both of these anglers won rookie of the Year awards in their leagues, an impressive feat considered they were part of the first class of collegiate anglers to make it to the pros. The skills they learned on the water and in the classroom have proven to be valuable to their success. Brandon Card is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he majored in landscape architecture and received his Bachelor’s degree. He believes that his public speaking and sponsor relations skills were an important part of his growth as an angler. after graduation, he chose to focus on his career as a pro bass angler and qualified for the elite Series in his first try after fishing the Bassmaster Southern opens. Card believes the college fishing schedule and stiff competition prepared him for the opens and the elite Series. His rookie year started off very strong on the
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