Written by Jordan Smith

Victor Alford, a fisherman on the Tennessee Wesleyan University fishing team, has a profound love for bass fishing. Victor, who began his collegiate fishing career at Bryan College before transferring to Wesleyan, has established himself as a committed and accomplished fisherman.  

Casting a line is only one aspect of bass fishing, Victor says. Tournaments in this strategic and highly competitive sport are frequently hosted in states like Florida, Michigan, and New York. The regulations are simple but difficult: fishermen are only allowed to keep five basses, choosing the largest in weight. Additionally, not every catch qualifies due to size keeper constraints, which vary per region and include three different length requirements. “Bass are constantly moving and hiding in different places,” adds Victor. Effective teamwork is equally as important for success as individual talent. The Wesleyan fishing team members collaborate extensively to scout and communicate where the largest fish are biting.  

Although fishing is formally a spring activity, several competitions are held in the fall as well. Bass fishing does not have regional divisions like other collegiate sports do. Through the Bassmaster circuit, Victor and his squad frequently play against prestigious schools like the University of Tennessee and the University of Alabama. Victor had a difficult year individually this past year. The team was in 12th place with a good 7-pound bass while competing in Florida, but they were only two spots away from making it to the championships. Just the best 10% advance to the national championship from a field of about 250 boats, each of which usually carries one or two fishermen.  

The Wesleyan squad, which consists of a mix of local Tennessee talent and even some members from as far away as New York, fishes locally at places like Chickamauga Lake. Victor says the objective is always the same: to earn a spot in the national championship. They want to remain small and concentrate on assembling powerful, high-achieving teams rather than having a big roster to maintain the team’s competitiveness. What was Victor’s best catch personally?   

In conclusion, Victor is proud of his amazing 8.22-pound bass and keeps pursuing the goal of winning a national championship with his tenacity and passion for the game. 

Edited by Jacob Stevenson

Audio by Tate Grey

Video Editing by Dakota Caldwell

Interview by Jaci Powell

Published by Dakota Caldwell