The Becker Bass Team Registration held an informational meeting Feb. 9 and families were able to learn about the team, meet a few coaches, turn in paperwork and start planning the season.
During the season, students are encouraged to attend a variety of events related to the Bass Team including classroom education, fishing on local lakes and rivers and volunteer at events.
“Our goal is to get kids fishing,” said Head Coach Dusty Wright. “Our program is in its fifth year and it is growing.”
Wright said they started with 19 students in 2017 and had grown to 70 participants last year. Almost 1/3 of the students attending the meeting are new to the program and Wright says it is all possible because the team has awesome coaches, families and sponsors.
“Many of the original coaches do not have students on the team,” said Wright. “They just love to fish. Fishing isn’t just about being in a boat catching fish. We emphasize good sportsmanship and encourage family involvement. We also have fun.”
The Becker Bass Team was one of the most successful teams in Minnesota last year. They racked up winnings at multiple tournaments including seven teams qualified for SATT State Championship on Lake Mille Lacs (second and fourth places), Minnesota SATT Team of the Year Points (first, second, fifth, seventh places — no other team had more than one in the top 10)!
Three teams to Nationals (18th out of 300 boats) and multiple first, second, third and fourth place finishes at a variety of lakes. The team won over $6,000 in scholarships for 2020!
Charlie Wright, (son of Dusty) is attending college on a fishing scholarship for 2021!
The Becker team even sold the winning ticket for the 2020 Rapala Boat Raffle — what a year!
The team is already competing in an on-line ice fishing competition. Students can enter different species daily into an app. Pictures are suggested for the “Big Fish.” All entries are on the honor system. At the end of the ice fishing season, multiple prizes will be awarded. Once the regular fishing season starts, the team starts to focus on Bass.
It is not too late to join the team!
If students are interested, look at the website BeckerBassTeam.com or on the Becker Bass Team Facebook page. Both sites contain information about the team including contact information, educational videos and pictures. Students are asked why they want to be on the Becker Bass Team. Some answered, “I like fishing, Bass fishing sounds like fun, and You can catch big fish!”
A new member mentioned she wants to be on the team because, “It will give me something to do this summer other than sit at home.”
The most common answer was, “It’s fun!”
Coaches are Dusty Wright, Tim Forsythe, Chad Earney, Chad Steffens, Tom Klimek, Matt Paumen and assistants, Matt Quick, Terry Inman, Todd Schultz, Dan Hyttsten, Eli Martin, Jayme Doucette, Todd Matvick, Barry Mowers, Tony Foecke, Jared Bistodeau, Jacob Novak, Michael Bond, Aaron Vetsch, Tony Graning, Brandon Doering, Greg Bowles, Dave Albrecht, Jake Wilhelm, Clayton Taylor, Chad McKay, Kory McCalla, Mike Koenig, Chris Halvorson, Joe Meyer, Matt (Buzz) Simonson, Todd Martindale and Steve Hosier.
