Meet the Sun Devils
Arizona State University teammates Jason Karseboom, Bobby Fletcher share their thoughts on qualifying for the 2013 FLW College Fishing National Championship
(Editor’s note: Leading up to the 2013 FLW College Fishing National Championship – slated for April 19-21 on Beaver Lake in Rodgers, Ark. – CollegeFishing.com will publish weekly, in-depth features stories of each of the 25 national championship team qualifiers. At stake in the tournament is a first-place prize package that includes $30,000 in cash, a brand new, Ranger Z-117 bass boat and an automatic berth in the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup.)
Class: Alumnus
Major: Bachelors in the Science of Design – Architecture
Minor in Biology and Urban Planning.
Hometown: Tempe, Ariz.
Other interests: Hunting, camping and design.
Class: Sophomore
Major: Health Science
Hometown: Gilbert Ariz.
Other interests: My interests include hunting, wakeboarding and just being outside.
Club Web site:
Arizona State University Bass Fishing Team on Facebook
ASUbassteam.com
Q&A
CollegeFishing.com: How were you introduced to fishing?
Jason R. Karseboom: My dad introduced me to bass fishing when I was 7 years old and I have been fishing with him ever since. We still travel to lakes across the country for a good time. We’ve made frequent trips to a number of Texas lakes including Lake Fork, Allen Henry Reservoir, Lake Amistad, Falcon Lake – along with other lakes in Mexico. But it wasn’t until I started fishing on the team my senior year that I first fished in an actual tournament.
Bobby Fletcher: I was introduced to fishing by my dad when I was still a toddler. I grew up going to Roosevelt Lake over the summer and this is where my obsession started.
CollegeFishing.com: What style/method of fishing are you most comfortable with?
Jason R. Karseboom: I have learned so many different techniques since I started competitive fishing. I love flipping/pitching. Yet I also love the reaction bites on crankbaits and swimbaits. I have become very confident in finesse (drop-shot) fishing and jig fishing as well.
Bobby Fletcher: I am most comfortable fishing in shallow water either flipping or throwing a crankbait.
CollegeFishing.com: What did it feel like to qualify for the 2013 FLW College Fishing National Championship? How do you plan to prepare for the big event?
Jason R. Karseboom: It was very exciting to qualify for the regionals at the Cal Delta as it was the third FLW tournament that my partner and I had ever fished. Placing fourth at the regionals and qualifying for the nationals was an incredible feeling. Going from 11th place after day one to third place after day two was incredible. The final day of fishing was a relief – the stress was off because we knew we were going to nationals.
Bobby Fletcher: When Jason and I weighed in the heaviest bag on day two to jump into the top five I have never had a better feeling of accomplishment. That lake was the hardest lake I have ever fished, but we stuck to our plan and it ended up paying off on day two. It took a while before it set in that I was going to be going to the FLW College Fishing National Championship in just a few months, but now time cannot go by fast enough.
Unfortunately we will not be pre-fishing for this tournament, but we have been researching and doing our homework. We plan to practice the skills we think we will use the most and we will stick to whatever we feel is going to work during the tournament. I am very excited to have this opportunity and I am going to make the most of it.
CollegeFishing.com: Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.
Jason R. Karseboom: I recently proposed to my girlfriend of seven years and am expected to be married in September of 2013.
Bobby Fletcher: I hate snakes and roller coasters. I also don’t do well on stage as I get nervous and forget the question I was asked almost immediately.