Anglers Connect on New Bass Fishing Team

Anglers Connect on New Bass Fishing Team

“Nothing beats doing what you love, especially when you’re surrounded by so many like-minded individuals who share the same passion as you,” said PC senior Anastasia Patterson.

That’s exactly what Anastasia and several other PC students have found with PC’s new bass fishing team. PC students find like-minded individuals in more than 60 clubs and organizations on campus. For Anastasia and others, it’s all about bass fishing.

A Fishing Story

It all started when Matthew Rhodes, a junior business administration major, transferred from Clemson to PC. He had been on the bass fishing team there and wanted to keep fishing in college tournaments through PC. We didn’t have a team at the time. But Matthew changed that.

“He contacted the appropriate people and raised enough interest to get the ball rolling,” said senior Thomas Broom. “It is due to his initiative that we have a fishing team.”

Thomas, Anastasia, and Matthew are three of several Blue Hose competitive anglers. They pair up and compete against other colleges in tournaments throughout the school year. The competitions are hosted by FLW and BASS on weekends in lakes in the region and across the country.

The Spirit of Competition

To keep the competitive edge, team members often organize small tournaments to fish in or enter tournaments when they’re home. You can even find Anastasia practicing techniques in between classes on the pond on the PC campus.

“I love the adrenaline you get when you know you’ve really leaned into a big fish, but for me, it’s not just about catching fish,” Anastasia said. “Fishing is a learning experience. Some days you’re on, some days you’re off. Every day is a new day so you learn to adapt.”

Anastasia, Thomas, and Matthew have all been fishing since they were kids. They know the lakes near their hometowns like the backs of their hands, but that’s not the case with all the students on the fishing team. Some students have always wanted to fish but never have.

“One of the really important aspects of this team is the interaction that our more seasoned anglers have with those members on the team that might not have had a chance to fish in their lives,” said Dr. Michael Rischbieter, team advisor and coach.

Recently, some members with no tournament experience had the opportunity to see how competitive fishing actually works.

Share Your Passion

All of the team members are serious about getting better as fishermen. And they’re serious about fishing as a way to share their passion with others and to be even more involved at PC.

“From the way I see it, I think we want the bass fishing team to be something for students to be involved in at school first and foremost,” Thomas said. “As a fisherman, I want the bass fishing team to be an outlet for college anglers to do what they love, improve at it, and have a community of people to do it with.”

The bass fishing team is only one of PC’s new club sports. Students with a passion for archery and tennis can now share their enthusiasm with like-minded students in these two new club sports. Students aren’t only interested in athletics though. Our new Model United Nations provides students with an opportunity to learn about the structure, procedure, and international relations of the UN.

Want to see how you can get involved and find like-minded students at PC? These clubs and organizations are calling your name.