January 23, 2014 the Southern Fishing News Student Angler Series set-up shop in Russellville, AL for a finesse class presentation to four high school bass clubs. Sandie Evans, Russellville High School bass team sponsor, brought her club, the Colbert Heights High School Bass Team, Belgreen and Phil Campbell High School teams
The January 23 class with Ron McDonald and Don Gowen.
together for the Student Angler Series class. Ms. Evans commented the finesse fishing class, presented by Ron McDonald, Publisher and Editor of Southern Fishing News, is a skill the youth bass fishermen needed to learn about. Don Gowen, Southern Fishing News Field Staff, assisted with this class.
Ron McDonald talks finesse fishing to the four high school clubs.
The very cold temps discouraged some from attending the class but a good crowd of twenty-three hardy young bass anglers showed-up to learn about finesse fishing and around thirteen parents and boat captains also stayed to listen-in on the information presented.
A laptop computer and digital projector is used as a teaching aid in the class as well as actual finesse lures plus rods and reels. A lot of hands-on participation is included in the presentation which runs from one hour fifteen minutes to one hour and a half. Slider lures are shown and explained since Charlie Brewer, Sr. actually began finesse fishing with his light lure system and very light line approach to
A young lady works on rigging a small worm on a Slider head.
bass fishing. The students are exposed to the specifications for finesse rods, small baits including 3 and 4 inch worms, short grubs, small lizards and small swimming lures. The lead used in this type of fishing is also shown to the students and passed around. Slider heads, jig heads, shakey head rigs and drop shot rigging. A display of all the above was laid out on a front table for after class examination as well.
A youth bass angler works with a finesse lure.
In addition to the class presentation, the youth anglers were treated to complimentary lures and fishing products from Slider Lures, Doc. Irv’s Custom Baits, TTI-Blakemore, Bass Minder and Sim’s Baits. These companies freely donate to the class and provide a genuine thrill for the club members. Even the lure samples tossed to the group during the presentation quickly were stowed in pockets. For one more kick, drawings were held for numerous prizes donated by Slider Lures and Southern Fishing News such as cups, embroidered cap, decals, T-shirts and more lures.
Several students went up to the instructor after the class and thanked him for coming. They also admitted to having had learned a lot. Ms. Evans also noted several of the boat captains in attendance said they had learned much about finesse fishing in the class.
The class is available at no charge for high school/Junior High School bass teams. For information on scheduling a class contact the Student Angler Series at [email protected]. Unfortunately, there are distance limitations.
The Student Angler Series is available at no charge to youth bass clubs.
