Agricultural Sciences

Student Stories: Bass-fishing team does well again

A team of two Penn State students recently placed in the top half of competitors at the first Northern Region qualifying event for the FLW College Bass Fishing Tournament.

Finishing 15th out of 40 teams, the result was actually a bit of a disappointment for team members Grae Buck and Jessica Moldofsky. They were hoping to win the tournament after landing first place at last year's Lake Erie Regional, resulting in the $10,000 prize being awarded to Penn State's Bass Fishing Club.

But the early spring event at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia provided the learning experience of having to fish under adverse weather conditions, said Moldofsky, one of the two competitors and the only female representing the club in tournaments.

"On tournament day it was freezing," said Moldofsky, a sophomore environmental resource management major from Worcester, Pa. But she and her partner in the tournament, Buck, a junior in the same major from Perkiomenville, Pa., launched at 7 a.m. and fished until the finish at 2 p.m.

"It was a rough day," said Moldofsky, who started fishing just three years ago. "It's not the sort of day you hope for when fishing, with the water temperature so cold so that the fish were slow moving."

Despite the conditions, the pair caught three bass -- two largemouths and one smallmouth -- that weighed a total of 6 pounds, 15 ounces.

Established in fall 2006, the Bass Fishing Club is dedicated to furthering the sport of collegiate bass fishing in Happy Valley and to enhance the skills its members', who range in experience from interested newcomers to skilled tournament anglers. Club members participate in local tournaments, social activities, fundraising events and community service activities such as lake clean-ups.

The club continues to recruit and gain interest. More information can be found on the club's website, www.pennstatebassfishing.com.
 

Grae Buck and Jessica Moldofsky show off bass they caught at a recent collegiate tournament. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated June 15, 2011

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