The Southeast Missouri State University Bass Fishing Club is currently looking for new members to join its ranks.
The club, which was started in 2006, competes in a host of tournaments throughout the season in different parts of the country.
"Anyone can be a member, just show up. You can be any skill level," club president and Southeast senior Mark Chowning said.
You do not need to own a boat to join, but Chowning admitted, "We do need more boats."
The club travels to tournaments at local lakes like the Lake of Egypt in Illinois, Wappapello and Girardeau Lakes in Missouri and Kentucky Lake which can be accessed in Kentucky or Tennessee. Club members acquire points during these tournaments and those point totals determine who qualifies for regional and national events.
The national tournament trail takes competitors to some of the best bass fishing lakes in Texas, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky to compete against over 700 other universities.
Former president and recent Southeast graduate Tim Randell praised the university for the support they offer the club.
"The university helps cover some of the expenses associated with travel, food and lodging," Randell said. "They have been very helpful over the years and Dr. Dobbins has been very supportive."
Randell is still competing in tournaments he qualified for while still attending Southeast.
The club competed in regionals at Kentucky Lake last weekend. Randell believes the Southeast Bass Club members "have not reached our full potential yet." According to Chowning, the competitors faced harsh weather conditions and large waves, Southeast failed to reach the top 15. Information on the biggest bass of the tournament was not available.
The clubs next tournament will be a tournament within the club, but has not been scheduled yet. The club's next meeting will be Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Aquatic Center classroom at the Student Recreation Center-North. Anyone interested in joining should attend the meeting or contact Chowning on Facebook or at mechowning1s@semo.edu.
