A Guide to Catching a State Trophy
By David Stevens, Academic Director | Monday, August 27, 2012 1:59 PM
On a recent expedition to the Gulf Coast of Texas, I had some time to let the sand sift through my toes, the salty air to blow through my hair and time to enjoy one of my favorite departures from realism.
Fishing can be the biggest thrill of the day or the most boring thing you do.
I have a lot of fish stories to tell, and I have enough college degrees in pretending (theatre) that you might believe one of them. Some people only reel in an old shoe or an empty hook when they fish. I am betting that you want to pull in something much better than that — a state trophy.
The right equipment is a must for a successful fishing journey. Picking the perfect rod and reel is like selecting academic coaches and students for your team. There are a lot of varieties, shapes and sizes. You can choose an open face or spinning reel. There are freshwater and saltwater rods. Shop around until you find what best fits your needs. Sometimes, I settle for whatever is available and make the best of it. The trophy fish does not care. The trick is how you handle the details.
Once your equipment has been selected, maintaining and learning how to operate it is your next step. My favorite options are fall Student Activities Conferences. I encourage you to work with your newly acquired equipment at one or more of the following during 2012. The dates and sites for SACs are Sept. 15 at Tyler Junior College, Sept. 22 at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, and Sept. 29 at UT Austin. Please note: Our previously scheduled conference at West Texas A&M in Canyon on Oct. 20 HAS BEEN CANCELED.
SACs have been a long tradition of the UIL. They are known to help students and coaches obtain their desired catch. Instructional sessions are designed for beginning students, advanced students, academic coordinators and coaches. Conferences feature lectures and presentations by UIL contest directors, college professors and high school teachers. Sessions will include discussions on contest preparation, demonstrations, performances and contest administration.
Once you have your equipment, and know how to work it, it is now time to consider the bait and tackle you will use. Your choices are endless.
Similar to the varieties of live, prepared or artificial bait, your study material options are plentiful. The price range is as wide as the choices of fishing bait. The UIL is source of study materials. The website contains videos, descriptions — everything you need to know. There are handbooks, former tests and study guides available for purchase as well. In addition, the academic website hosts a list of independent vendors who provide resources for purchase. Shop around and try a few. I encourage you to ask your successful fishing buddies what bait works best for them.
Some anxious fish trophy hunters like to enter the District tournament their first time in the water. Others like to take a test run in shallower waters at Invitational tournaments. These are hosted throughout the state in the early spring. Check the UIL website for one near you. A test run or two of your equipment can make a big difference in how your bait and tackle perform in your first District tournament.
When you have hooked a big one, the options continue on the road to Region and State tournaments. Rarely do you catch the prize fish on your first cast. Sometimes it takes several attempts. Rework your equipment. Change your bait. The trophy fish is not going to jump into your boat without continued efforts.
During the summer, we offer the best fishing guides available. Mark your calendars for the UIL Capital Conference scheduled for July 12-13, 2013 in the waters of UT Austin.
The UIL Capital Conference offers everything an avid fish hunter needs to know. The speech coach, theatre director, academic coach or coordinator—high school or elementary, middle or junior high—have workshops that divulge all the best bait, tackle, and fishing spots in the state. You can even earn professional development credit to maintain your fishing license.
If you need some assistance, I encourage you to consult with your fishing captains at the UIL office. The academic staff is ready to serve you. Give us a call or send us an email. We will provide you with the most accurate fishing report possible. We also can help get your line out of a knot. We will do all we can to help you catch the big one.
I hope you had some time to smell the sea breeze yourself this summer. Now you are rested and ready for the challenges and rewards ahead. Best wishes on your new school year and best of luck on the catch of a lifetime.