Mountain Brook Fishing Team

No. You do not have to own a boat to be on the fishing team. However, you do need to have access to a boat to fish in tournaments. There are 3 ways to do this: 1) Have a boat 2) Be a co-angler to someone with a boat 3) Be a team alternate and fish with an angler when their co-angler is unable to fish

The fishing tournament season spans across the entire school year. The earliest tournaments start in mid September. State championship tournaments are in late April and May. However, there is some flexibility in the calendar because you can pick the tournaments you want to fish.

MBFT normally has 2 to 4 team meetings a year. There is normally a kick-off informational meeting at the beginning of the school year, a meeting in the fall, and a meeting in the spring. There are not recurring weekly/monthly meetings.

Team costs are as follows: Nominal annual membership dues your share of costs for tournament weekend expenses (gas for boat and truck, hotel, & food)

Comply with the Angler Code of Conduct Wear team jersey at all tournament weigh-ins Be current on team dues Attend at least 50% of team functions (meetings, spirit nights, etc.) Pay for half of all boat tournament expenses Fundraise a determined amount each year Commit to your co-angler for the season

Not the student angler. The boat Captain must be: someone 18 years or older, who is no longer in high school, has a boating license, and has insurance on the boat.

Each year the team will determine which tournament trails to fish. Historically (and recently) the MBFT has fished the following tournament trails: 1) Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association (ASABFA)- MBFT competes on this trail as a team and as individual boats. There are 6 tournaments over the fall and spring. MBFT competes in the Small Mouth division which means 4 MBFT boats fish for the team each tournament. The Trail Leader selects the boats for each tournament. State qualification is by team and the Trail Leader will select boats to compete for the team at the tournament. 2) BassTactix- MBFT competes on this trail with individual boats. Therefore, any boat can fish any tournament it wants. Tournaments are both in the fall and spring. A boat must fish 4 tournaments to qualify for state. 3) Alabama Bass Nation High School- MBFT competes on this trail with individual boats. There are 4 tournaments a year (1 in the fall and 3 in the spring). A boat must fish in 3 of the 4 tournaments to qualify for state. This tournament trail requires the same angler and co-angler fish together in all tournaments.

All tournaments are on Saturday mornings, with the exception of state championships which fish both Friday and Saturday. Therefore, anglers are not required to miss school for any tournaments other than state championship. Fishing is not a Mountain Brook school system sponsored sport (it is a club sport), therefore, absences related to fishing are not excused. However, a parent may request an excused absence ahead of time at the school for certain activities (up to a specified number of absences). Please check with the school about the details.