Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a collection of questions that we are frequently asked about our team. If your answer isn't listed here, please click the Contact Us link to ask your question and we'll be glad to help!
How can I join the team?
We hold an annual kick-off meeting in May each year for interested anglers and parents with information about the team and to answer questions. The date of our kick-off meeting will be announced on the website and social media several weeks in advance.
We will also publicize the registration period with the required registration form also provided on the website. Because our season begins in September, registration is due during the summer.
We will also publicize the registration period with the required registration form also provided on the website. Because our season begins in September, registration is due during the summer.
Is there a cost to join the team?
The cost per angler is $500 which covers the fall and spring tournament season. This cost helps pay for tournament entry fees, a professional-quality custom team jersey and hat, membership in the Texas High School Bass Association (THSBA), the annual banquet and other team expenses.
Most of our anglers receive assistance with this payment by obtaining sponsorship donations from one or more local businesses. In fact, we encourage all anglers to discuss sponsorship opportunities with several organizations beyond the $500 entry fee. Check out the sponsorship levels under the Docs/Forms section of the website.
Payments can be made in two installments - $250 upon registration and again by September 1.
Most of our anglers receive assistance with this payment by obtaining sponsorship donations from one or more local businesses. In fact, we encourage all anglers to discuss sponsorship opportunities with several organizations beyond the $500 entry fee. Check out the sponsorship levels under the Docs/Forms section of the website.
Payments can be made in two installments - $250 upon registration and again by September 1.
Do I need a boat to join the team?
Yes, our angler’s fish in solo or two-person teams and each team must have an adult boat captain (over age 21) and boat. If you fish solo, you may be required to have an Official Observer as well per THSBA section 29. The boat must also meet the THSBA requirements including a minimum 16 feet in length, propeller driven and functioning live well. Refer to Sections 11 and 12 of the THSBA website under “RULES” for additional information on boat requirements https://thsba.net/.
If you don’t have a boat captain and boat, you'll need to pair up with another angler who does. We may be able to pair you with another single angler and boat captain who may be interested in a partner, but ultimately you are responsible for making those arrangements. Keller Varsity Bass Team or Texas High School Bass Association provides boats or boat captains.
If you don’t have a boat captain and boat, you'll need to pair up with another angler who does. We may be able to pair you with another single angler and boat captain who may be interested in a partner, but ultimately you are responsible for making those arrangements. Keller Varsity Bass Team or Texas High School Bass Association provides boats or boat captains.
Can I join your team any time during the season.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate anglers joining the team midseason except under extenuating circumstances. All custom jerseys and membership fees are paid at the beginning of the season since preferred pricing is obtained for a bulk order of jerseys, hats, etc. The cost for joining midseason would be much higher for an angler.
Furthermore, all anglers receive points for participating in the tournaments which count toward qualifying for the post-season regional tournament. Missing a tournament would jeopardize your chances of making the post season.
Furthermore, all anglers receive points for participating in the tournaments which count toward qualifying for the post-season regional tournament. Missing a tournament would jeopardize your chances of making the post season.
What if I join the team and then decide that I don't want to fish tournaments? Can I get my money back?
The fee is nonrefundable since we pay expenses up front for you to be part of the team.
Can I change partners or decide to fish solo in the middle of the season?
There are no rules that would prevent you from making that change; however, you'd be doing a disservice to your yourself and current partner.
Teams receive Angler of the Year (AOY) points throughout the season based on the results of the tournaments. Where you finish in total AOY points at the end of the regular season determines whether you qualify to fish in the regional tournament. If you decide to fish alone (or if you switch partners for any other reason), a new team is created and you (or you and your new partner) will lose all AOY points you have accumulated up to the date of the switch.
Changing your team mid-season is strongly discouraged.
Teams receive Angler of the Year (AOY) points throughout the season based on the results of the tournaments. Where you finish in total AOY points at the end of the regular season determines whether you qualify to fish in the regional tournament. If you decide to fish alone (or if you switch partners for any other reason), a new team is created and you (or you and your new partner) will lose all AOY points you have accumulated up to the date of the switch.
Changing your team mid-season is strongly discouraged.
Are girls allowed to join the team?
Absolutely as girls are welcome! Several high schools in the THSBA have female and co-ed teams and many are very good anglers!
What are the tournament rules
The THSBA sets and governs the rules for our tournaments. You can find the rules on the THSBA website https://thsba.net/
What lakes do you fish?
Our team fishes in the Metroplex division of the THSBA and lakes are decided at the beginning of the season but are generally within 1.5 hours from the DFW area.
Past regular season tournaments have included: Lake Lewisville, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Texoma, and Lake Ray Hubbard.
The schedule for the most recent season is located on the THSBA website. https://thsba.net/
Past regular season tournaments have included: Lake Lewisville, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Texoma, and Lake Ray Hubbard.
The schedule for the most recent season is located on the THSBA website. https://thsba.net/
How many Teams fish in the tournaments?
That varies depending on participation but generally up to 150 teams representing about 30 high schools' fish each tournament in the Metroplex Division.
Because of the large number of boats, all tournaments are “trailering” events. This means teams launch from the ramp of their choice rather than the same one.
Because of the large number of boats, all tournaments are “trailering” events. This means teams launch from the ramp of their choice rather than the same one.
How is the tournament winner determined?
Each team is allowed to keep up to 5 black bass (largemouth, small mouth or spotted bass) that meet the minimum 14” length requirement. The fish are kept in the boat’s working live well (a requirement) and then brought to the weigh-in location at the end of the tournament. The THSBA has a professional weigh-in station where anglers carry their fish on stage and receive an official weight. The team with the heaviest weight wins the tournament.
The THSBA awards post high school scholarship money to the top 3 finishers. However, various awards and prizes are given to the top 20 teams in each tournament.
In addition, the THBSA awards trophies and points to the high school team based on the total weight of the top 5 teams within each high school. Our team has done well over the past several years with the following finishes:
2022 – 2023 X Place?
2021 – 2022 X Place?
2000 – 2021 X Place?
1999 – 2020 3rd Place
The THSBA awards post high school scholarship money to the top 3 finishers. However, various awards and prizes are given to the top 20 teams in each tournament.
In addition, the THBSA awards trophies and points to the high school team based on the total weight of the top 5 teams within each high school. Our team has done well over the past several years with the following finishes:
2022 – 2023 X Place?
2021 – 2022 X Place?
2000 – 2021 X Place?
1999 – 2020 3rd Place
Can I just keep my fish and eat them?
Ummm . . . no! The THSBA follows a catch and release program so all fish are returned to the lake after weigh in. We provide food, snacks and drinks after the tournament.
If you're hungry for fish, go catfish, crappie, white bass or striper fishing. They taste much better than black bass!
If you're hungry for fish, go catfish, crappie, white bass or striper fishing. They taste much better than black bass!
Do you provide training on fishing techniques?
We don't provide any formal training and most of the anglers already have some experience and knowledge about bass fishing.
Do you provide rods, reels, and tackle?
Each angler is responsible for providing his or her own equipment. Some local tackle shops offer discounts to our anglers if you want to purchase tackle or gear after joining the team.
Also, no live bait is allowed during the tournament.
Also, no live bait is allowed during the tournament.
What kind of rods and reels do I need?
We can't really answer that for you. We expect that you have the knowledge and expertise to choose the right gear based on how you fish.
What if I have other questions?
Feel free to contact us using our Contact page. We will be happy to help answer any other questions!