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Latest News / archives page 1/ page 2 / page 3
By Greg McCain
Contributing Writer, The Great Outdoors of Alabama,
December 2004
Reprinted by permission of Robert Dewitt, Editor.
Tuscaloosa angler Daniel Bojo loves to bass fish competitively. But he's chosen a trail that isn't exactly typical for of the tournamentbass fisherman.
While Bojo is white, he fishes with a growing number of black anglers who fish competitively on the Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail Tournament Trail, a circuit that has a growing presence in Alabama. While the stereotypical white male bass fisherman still dominates tournaments in terms of sheer numbers, Bojo finds that black fishermen in Alabama have a greater opportunity to compete that in years past.
In 2005, fishermen from clubs comprised primarily of black anglers, including the Westside Bass Club in Tuscaloosa and several others around the state, will have the opportunity to fish a new and improved version of the Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail Trail.
We're excited about the possibilities for next year," says Bojo, who is secretary of Westside Bass Club. "We've made some changes, hopefully bringing in some more money to make us more attractive."
The Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail Trail is an offshoot of the Sportsman Association of Black Bass Anglers, a group organized some 20 years ago by Jim Austin, a competitive angler from Atlanta with a love for bass fishing. Austin achieved some success fishing the traditional tournaments circuits, particularly as a competitor in the Bulldog Division of the old Red Man Tournament Trail. He was frequently the lone minority competitor in the field, however.
"We're teaching techniques and trying to get more people involved in the sport, especially African-American anglers," Austin once told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an interview. "We're trying to fill a gap we think needs to be filled. I guess you can say that my
biggest sense of accomplishment has been helping African-American anglers enjoy this sport by creating an outlet to service their needs."
That appears to be particularly true in Alabama. Many of the Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail tournaments are held instate.
"It's probably because we have such good fishing here," Bojo says. "I don't know the exact explanation, but we have an excellent turnout when we fish in Alabama."
Many of the AP tournaments are held in the eastern portion of Alabama because of its proximity to Atlanta, where Austin still lives and operates businesses. Neely Henry near Gadsden and Logan Martin at Pell City are favorite stops for the AP tour.
A variety of plans are being made for 2005.
The AP Trail will consist of tournaments on the Harris Chain in Florida, two tournaments near Tuscaloosa, and at least one on Neely Henry Lake.
The major change, however, is money. According to Bojo, tour officials anticipate offering a $30,000 first-place check to the pro-angler winner of the 2005 Classic, most likely to be held in late October or early November on Neely Henry. The money, based on an anticipated field of 100 boats, is about a ten-fold increase over the top prize offered at the 2004 Classic. In addition, the organization expects the winning co-angler to take home $15,000.
"I think the money is just one indication of how we're growing," Bojo says. "That's why we're going to this new format. We hope to one day have a trail that is as big as B.A.S.S. or FLW."
The tour is actively seeking sponsorships. A proposal with a major sponsor in the Tuscaloosa area is in the works but has yet to be finalized. Bojo suggests the deal would be a major advance for AP.
Other plans locally include sponsoring the annual Westside Bass Club Catfish Derby. Bojo and club officers Orlando Harris, Jimmy Horton, and John Davis are already making plans for the kid's event, which will be held again in June.
"We're always excited to hold the Catfish Derby and to introduce more kids to fishing," Bojo says. "The kids enjoy the day of fishing and hopefully they will develop an enjoyment of the sport that will last."
The Westside Bass Club is one of several clubs statewide that boast a predominantly black membership. Other clubs are located in Mobile and Birmingham, according to the Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail website.
Bojo suggests the clubs are just part of a growing trend of black fishermen nationwide who like to fish competitively. While the major bass circuits do boast minority competitors, Bojo says Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail gives anyone the opportunity to fish in a friendly environment. The Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail tournaments attract fishermen from just about every Southeastern state, including some from as far away as Texas.
"It's probably growing more than you think," Bojo says. "You've got a market that's buying news trucks and new boats more than ever before.
"I have fished other tournament trails before and if you're not a part of the regular group then you feel like an outcast. When you go to an Fishing With Jim Austin Tournament Trail event, everybody's welcome and everybody's friendly."
Greg McCain is a freelance writer and high school English teacher who lives in Lexington, Ala.
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