I began our Fishing Schools at Stephen F. Austin State University’s Pineywoods Conservation Center located on Texas’s own Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Our text and class is continually updated to reflect the newest equipment, products and techniques. Additionally, we cover existing methods and patterns that have, over the years, consistently produced bass for anglers. Cost of all schools includes lodging, meals, classroom material and instructor’s fees.

Although The Fishing Schools are held on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the knowledge and expertise acquired is applicable to all other bodies of water when in the pursuit of Bass or other gamefish in both fresh and saltwater.

This year’s first class is my special two-day hands-on Maps and Electronics. The hands on sonar portion will utilize Lowrance Electronics’ new updated HDS color sonar units e/w GPS (Global Positioning System) and Structure Scan. In addition we have developed an “Extensive” 35 MM slide and laptop - power point program of real life situations anglers will encounter using today’s sonar equipment while fishing. One day is spent detailing topographical and hydrographical maps and correlating their relationship to fishing success while outlining bass movement.

My second Class is geared towards those anglers searching for more and better ways to fool today’s wily bass. In this five day class we cover everything involved in bass fishing from rods, reels, lures, equipment selection, seasonal habits, building of patterns, catch/release standards, boat rigging and maintenance, etc. Approximately 20 hours is spent in classroom instruction with the remainder of your time spent applying newly acquired methods and techniques while fishing Sam Rayburn Reservoir.  Anglers must bring their own boats and equipment to this class for use during time spent fishing. We do have some additional tackle available to use during this class.

Our third class of the year is our week long fishing program geared towards understanding and catching “Big Bass”. I’ve purposely scheduled this class during Rayburn’s pre-spawn - spawn period which historically kicks off “Lunker Bass Season” here in East Texas.  Gary Van Gelder, an ardent bass angler from Houston, Texas did a temperature  study several years ago using data accumulated by our U.S. Weather Bureau over a ninety year period, starting in the early nineteen hundreds.  His study showed ideal conditions for our annual major largemouth bass spawn to begin the first or second week in April.  This school entails fishing approximately nine hours each day. During the evening classroom periods we build a special “Big Bass” pattern formula including pre-spawn habits, required equipment, migration routes, holding cover, preferred lures, “catching times”, etc. Anglers must bring their own boats and equipment to this class. This year’s class will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Our Big Bass program this year will include speakers who will cover different subjects of interest to today’s anglers.

Our Tournament package is geared towards anglers fishing the annual McDonald’s Tournament held on Rayburn each year. We provide extensive information on Catch & Release application during this session.

The Piney Woods Conservation Center which I lease to hold The Fishing Schools have increased their facility user fees in 2013 for the second straight year now totaling 25 percent. In addition they are requiring for the first time that I provide liability insurance covering each class, again at my cost.

I have increased our school tuition less than 6 percent since 2003 but absorbing these additional costs is no longer possible, therefore I’’m being forced to increase the individual class tuition's or discontinue the programs entirely. Unlike TPWD, SFASU and other government bodies, private businesses can’t just add on additional cost. It’s either cut costs, reduce quality (which I won’t do) or close shop, especially in today’s economic climate. In order to recoup some of the monies already spent for my 2013 Houston Boat Show booth, printing and other expenses, I’ve increased fees by 4 percent for this, possibly our last year of these schools.

The last 20 plus years I’ve held these classes has been very enjoyable with Vicki and I meeting almost 1200 great anglers but I can’t continue using personal funds to support these programs. A real personal advantage I’ve received during the previous classes has been all the tips individual anglers passed on plus the information gained while we used my pattern boards data. THANKS and Good Fishing!

 

All classes are on a first come, first served basis and require a 50% deposit 30 days prior to class date with prices based on double occupancy.  

For further information or for class date availability, call me at (409-584-3177), or if you prefer, you can write me at 21815 FM 705, Broaddus, Texas 75929