Three years ago, the Jemison Bass Anglers was created as a club team at Jemison High School and joined the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association.

Since then, the team has participated in the state championship each year and finished 39th among 204 boats during the 2016 competition.

Jemison qualified four boats during the state tournament on May 6-7. Each boat contained three members that included a pair of anglers and a captain to observe.

“By joining this series, the students learn fishing techniques, conservation, sportsmanship, boating safety and competition among other anglers,” Jemison Bass Anglers Captain Greg Wilkins said. “This gives students a chance to do something other than the usual athletics in school.”

Tournaments are held on Saturdays with exception of the championship, which was a two-day event and held at Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden.

According to Wilkins, the ASABFA offers scholarships to student anglers with connections to colleges with fishing teams.

“The students wear jerseys of all colors and with sponsor names just like you would see on the college and pro series,” Wikins said. “They walk across the stage for weigh-in of the days catch with fans and supporters in the crowd.”

The three highest weights are taken and averaged to give a boat its final score during an event.

The club fished in several lakes in the state such as Pickwick, Lewis Smith, Logan Martin, Martin, Eufaula and Neely Henry along with nearby lakes such as Jordan, Mitchell and Lay.

According to Wilkins, tournaments usually start in February and end in May, and the commitment means to be on the water sometimes at 4 a.m. and are required to fish from safelight to the weigh-in.

Seniors Jarrett Brown and Cooper Wilkins were charter members of the team for the past three seasons.

Other members of this year’s team include, Carson Brown, Jake Thrash, Blake Davenport, Brennen Johnston and Andrew Carlisle.

According to Wilkins, ASABFA is open from seventh grade to seniors in high school, and both male and female can participate.

“I am proud to have been a part of Jemison Bass Angler team for the past three years and all that they have accomplished,” Wilkins said. “The time spent with my son (Cooper Wilkins) will give me many cherished memories.”