From the moment that I found out that Chapman had a fishing team that travelled to lakes all around the upstate, I strived to be a part of it.

I was ready to sign up until I was devastated by the bad news. You have to provide your own fishing boat to be a member of the Chapman fishing team.

This is a difficult requirement to comply with as most average people do not have the newest Triton Bass Boat with three fishfinders to use at their own discretion even though they might have just as much skill as someone who has their own “Hi-Tech fishing vessel.”

Even in my own personal fishing experiences, I have seen many great fish caught by shore fishermen.

It is very possible to compete while fishing on the banks. Shore fishermen can get to areas where a boat simply cannot access. An example of such an area is a swampy cove full of lilly pads and various other types of aquatic vegetation.

This spells bad news for the motor prop of a boat. The vines growing underneath the water in shallow areas can easily entangle in the spinning prop on the motor.

But this habitat is prominent breeding grounds for those four pounders that anglers are after.

But to be reasonable and fair, Chapman cannot provide all equipment for its members. It’s just not possible.

But I strongly believe that there can be a compromise somehow.

The fishing team should also allow members to fish off the shore if they wish.

“1 Rod 1 Reel Fishing,” a YouTube fishing idol, prominently fishes off of the bank. In many tournaments, he will have a strong finish in the final weigh in while competing with anglers casting from the comfort of a boat.

He showed me that you do not need thousands of dollars of equipment to catch the whoppers just like the pros.

This was an inspiration for me in the sense that although I may not be eligible for the school fishing team, I can still satisfy my love for fishing on the sidelines.