The Oregon bass team remains a below-the-radar force in club sports despite its competitive success, and maybe more surprisingly, despite its financial success.
“As a team, we won $19,000 for the school this year, making us one of the only club sports to finish in the black,” club coordinator Carter Troughton said. “But we don’t expect to be seeing a check from Uncle Phil anytime soon,” he said with a chuckle, referring to the charitable godfather of Oregon athletics, Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
Members of the club have risen above the cut in competition as well, dominating local rivals like Oregon State as well as regional tournament competitors from California to Washington.
For those unfamiliar with the specifics of competitive bass fishing, the team at Oregon competes in groups consisting of two fishermen each. During competitions, the University sends out several squads that hit the water at pre-determined launch times.
The teams remain on the water for around eight hours and collect three fish per person. When time is up, each team has its fish weighed alive to determine which team captured the largest combined weight.
The Ducks have fared well in recent competitions and are sending juniors Ross Richards and Reed Frazier to Knoxville, Tenn., to compete in nationals this weekend. The duo finished No. 4 in the FLW College Fishing Western Regionals last September, earning them a spot in the tournament featuring the nation’s top 25 pairs.
“We were one of the more experienced teams out there, and a lot of times that’s what separates a good day from a great day,” Richards said. “The more time you put in on the water, the more you pick up, and the more you can adapt during competitions.”
While the members of the team take competition seriously, there is also another element of the sport the Ducks don’t ignore: respect and etiquette. It’s not uncommon for teams to aid each other, even in the heat of battle.
“I never mind helping a guy out, but I’m still trying my best to win,” Frazier said. “You don’t hesitate to lend a hand, but you do draw the line somewhere.”
Another important element of competition is remaining positive, even through the longest dry spell.
“If you’re having a bad session in a tournament, you can’t just call it a day,” sophomore Calvin Jones said. “You have to keep a positive demeanor and keep going.”
In addition to sending a team to nationals, the Oregon bass team also is participating in competitions at Lake Mead, Nev. on May 8 and the California Delta in Stockton, Calif. on June 12.
The team is happy with its recent run success but still hungry to get better. Members see room to improve in the smallest aspects of the sport.
“Taking risks is also an important component of competition,” junior Nick Doring said. “Experimenting with new bait or changing some other variable could be the difference between you and the field.”

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