Prior to the start of the season next month, a state conservation officer inspected the boats to be used by the first-ever Wabash Valley bass fishing team on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Cory Skelton, an officer with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, conducted a thorough search of all seven boats to be used by the Warrior club team. The program debut will be on Sept. 12, with a club tournament on the waters of Kentucky Lake.
Skelton reviewed general navigational rules for anglers and outlined some of the differences present on larger bodies of water like Kentucky Lake. He stressed the importance of safety to each fisherman.
The club tourney not only serves as the rough equivalent of a pre-season scrimmage, but it gives the Warriors a sneak peek at Kentucky Lake. They return there the following weekend, Sept. 19-20, to open the championship season at the Bass Pro Shop Big Bass Bash tournament.
During the fall portion of the season, the Warriors will make October stops at Lake Dardanelle, Ark., and Lake Erie for competitions. The season resumes in April, leading to the Boat US Collegiate Bass Championships at Lake Murray, S.C. on May 26-27.
Those interested in learning more about the Wabash Valley College bass team can visit www.wvcwarriorathletics.com, click on Club Teams and select Bass Fishing. You can also keep up with WVC bass team news by following them on Facebook @WVC Bass Team and on Instagram @wvcbassteam.
WVC Warriors Austin Holtgrave, Chevvy Wood, Clayton Halbig, Colin King, Colton Bridwell, Drew Gill, Grant Behnke, Holden Kauble, Hunter Michl, James Cole Hess, Josey Ault, Nathaniel Kiefer, Zane Kelly and Zebulon Frasure.
IDNR officer Cory Skelton inspects a boat belonging to Warrior freshman Clayton Halbig.