In a reel-y close victory, sophomores Braylon Eggerding and Lucas Washburn of Adrian College hooked the win at the Major League Fishing Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship with a bass that tipped the scales at a whopping 11 pounds, 7 ounces. This monstrous fish was the linchpin to their success on Jan. 11 at Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Florida, securing them the top spot and a boatload of prizes worth $43,500. in a statement obtained by the Detroit Free Press.
Competing against some heavyweight college fishing teams, the Bulldogs pair jumped from a 10th place standing to clinch the title with a total catch weight of 42 pounds and 4 ounces - barely outdoing the second-place team by just a one-ounce margin. The Adrian College duo made a crucial decision to change fishing spots, which ultimately led to their striking comeback. according to a Sports Destinations report.
The tournament, anticipated as one of the most coveted collegiate bass fishing championships in the country, proved to be as unpredictable as fishing tales come, with Eggerding and Washburn needing more than luck to reel in their victory. "Honestly, we didn’t think we’d have enough to win," Eggerding admitted in the wake of their catch. "We thought we’d get beat by at least a few pounds," he said in a moment of incredulity captured by Sports Destinations.
The win grants the sophomore the national title and boat, also automatic entry into the 2024 Toyota Series Championship as pros, where they'll angle for up to $235,000, and a chance at Major League Fishing's most prestigious competition: REDCREST 2025. This achievement propels Adrian College into the ranks of the second school to secure two of the biggest titles in collegiate bass fishing, following a Bassmaster (B.A.S.S.) College Series National Championship wins in 2021. according to a report by Adrian College News.
Both anglers opening shared their pre-college fishing rapport, having cast lines together since middle school. "We fished through middle school together and then started a team in our freshman year in high school," Eggerding shared when recalling their journey to the championship. Adrian College News has the origin story.
