Fishing club hooks IU

IU students might think they don't have time to go fishing between classes, but they can with the Bass Fishing Club. \nRecreational Sports sponsors the club, which gives students the chance to meet new people while hooking trophy-sized fish.\n"The club's goal is to get to know as many people as possible who share the love of the sport," said club president Matt Morgan. "Also, there is a competitive nature to it with the tournaments that we enter."\nThe club participates in three tournaments during the school year, culminating in the battle for the Minnow Bucket trophy versus Purdue in the spring. IU recently won an individual competition against Wabash College Sept. 27. The team followed this up by finishing first in the Big Ten Classic held on Lake Shelbyville in Illinois Oct. 5.\n"It was a good feeling bringing the Big Ten title home," junior Tim Fields said.\nFields caught nine fish in the tournament, but none of them met the 14-inch length requirement.\nThe club currently has approximately 30 members who pay dues of $15 per semester to cover hotel rooms, food and gas on tournament trips. Meetings are held every month and a half and a variety of issues are discussed.\n"At the meetings, we talk about getting sponsors who provide us with equipment, prizes and scholarship opportunities," Morgan said. "Our dues can't pay for everything."\nThere is no official practice for the club because of the different schedules of its members. However, this does not mean members can wing it in the tournaments.\n"I don't have class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I go to Griffey Lake and fish off the shores to see what is working," Fields said.\nFor students who just want to sign up and fish in the tournaments, some hard work is required before rewards can be seen. Members build up points through a variety of activities. They can work at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel show held in February at the State Fairgrounds, where the club puts on a raffle that earns it around $1,200. Members also gain points by paying club dues and participating in a roadside clean up near Lake Monroe. Those who earn the most points get to compete in the tournaments.\n"We are serious in the tournaments, but you get a chance to meet a lot of new people through all this," Morgan said. "Everyone gets closer, especially on road tips to tournaments."\nImprovements to the club have been made this year.\nIn addition to the added tournament with Wabash, a national tournament is in the works for the spring, Morgan said. Also, new uniforms were purchased for the team and a Web site is being created specifically for the Bass Fishing Club. \nCurrently, interested anglers can access information about the club and their meetings through the Recreational Sports site.\nAs for now, members are building their points up in anticipation of the spring tournament with rival Purdue for the Minnow Bucket Trophy. \n"It gets fairly competitive, especially when we have the tournament versus Purdue," junior Dan Lawson said.\n-- Contact staff writer Colin Burns at coaburns@indiana.edu.