In its second year of existence, the defending state champion fishing team has been competing in many different tournaments and will be in competition next on March 19 at Lake Ray Roberts.

“The way it works is we fish for largemouth bass, then at the end of the day we weigh in the five biggest bass,” freshman Sam Harrison said. “Whatever two-man team has the biggest limit wins.”

The team goes to the lake where it will be competing and pre-fish, meaning teams go out to the lake and look over it and find the spots that hold the best fish. Then, the following day, they compete.

“In the previous season, which was our first year we created the team, we won the state championship at Lake Tyler,” junior Hank Harrison said. “The Lovejoy fishing team has made a big name very fast in the fishing community. As of right now and the last three years, bass fishing is the fastest growing sport in high school and college sports.”

The most recent tournament Lovejoy competed in was on Jan. 20 at Squaw Creek Lake. Lovejoy placed very high, finishing second out of 177 teams. The team has its sights set on defending its state title on June 18-19 at Toledo Bend.

Freshman and team member Cale Roberts said he goes fishing “about once every three days.”
“I joined the fishing team because I really enjoy fishing and it’s one of my hobbies,” Roberts said.  “I love the rush of reeling in the fish.”