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Hooked on fishing

CSUMB anglers place third in Western Invitational

Competitive bass fishing at the collegiate level – who knew?

In 2008, FLW, the organizer of professional fishing tournaments, started a college tour. Now, more than 600 teams compete in five divisions, according to FLW’s website, and it just keeps growing. It’s even on television – NBC Sports has broadcast tournaments.

Two teams from CSU Monterey Bay's Bass Fishing Club – Andrew Sjostrom and Joshua Smith, and Matthew Diaz and Sebastian Resendiz – competed in the Western Conference Invitational tournament Oct. 12 and 13 in Clear Lake. They were among 45 teams that competed for a top prize of $4,000 for their club and their school and a berth in next year’s FLW national championship.

At the tournaments, the goal is simple: land 10 bass (five per day) over the two-day tournament that weigh more than the other teams.

Smith and Sjostrom took third place with a total of nine fish weighing 37 lbs., 2 oz. That was worth a $1,000 prize and a spot in next spring's national tournament.

Diaz and Resendiz teamed for eighth place with fishing weighing 31 lbs., 9 oz. They also qualified for the national event.

CSUMB’s club started several years ago. Members travel to tournaments in California and other Western states. In 2011, Diaz and David Hamblin won $2,000 with a fourth-place finish at Lake Roosevelt in Hunters, Washington.

That involves more than just luck. Competitors do their homework – analyzing depth and currents, finding locals who can give them “inside” information on the lake where the competition will be held, visiting the site in advance to plan strategies.

The fishing club is just one of many opportunities for CSUMB students to participate in outdoor recreation and intramural sports.

Follow CSUMB's bass fishing club on Facebook. Learn about the outdoor recreation program at CSUMB.

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Photo (left to right): John Smith and Andrew Sjostrom took third place with nine bass weighing 37 lbs., 2 oz. The team won $1,000 for CSUMB's Bass Fishing Club and a spot in next spring's national championship