How to Start a Fishing Club at your College – On The Water

At the university club fair, where you can find everything from drama and photography clubs to vegan and Nerf battle groups, there was one glaring absence—a fishing club. As someone deeply passionate about fishing, I saw an opportunity and decided to take matters into my own hands.

Starting a new club at a university involves more than just a good idea. It requires gathering a specific number of signatures, forming a board, and crafting a mission statement. After meeting these requirements, the Fishing Club at Yeshiva University was officially established.

Generating Interest in Fishing

The next challenge was generating interest and securing funding. Given that fishing can be a niche club, I knew I needed a strong marketing strategy. I designed vibrant posters and showcased a highlight reel from my YouTube channel at our booth. When students inquired about the club, I described our vision: “Envision a day on a double-decker boat where we’ll be fishing from a spacious 50-person vessel. With a full crew handling baiting, unhooking, and filleting, you can focus on enjoying the experience. If fishing isn’t your thing, relax in the cabin or on the upper deck with comfortable seating.” This pitch resonated well, and by the end of the fair, our group chat had grown to 150 members.

Securing University Funding

However, enthusiasm alone doesn’t secure funding. To deliver on the promises made, I needed to present our plan to the university’s funding committee. After outlining our goals and the benefits of the proposed trip, we finally received the green light.

Planning a Party Boat Trip

On May 12, at 6 AM, we set off for Long Island where the club hosted a private full-day fluke fishing trip on Captree’s Island Spirit 2. While the early season yielded mostly short flukes, the opportunity to introduce newcomers to fishing made the experience worthwhile.

Looking forward, the future of the Fishing Club at Yeshiva University is bright. Although we only managed one event last year, plans are already in motion for a kickoff event in the second week of classes. This year, we aim to invite guest speakers to discuss conservation and fishing techniques, while sharing memorable experiences.

With a solid start and ambitious plans, the Fishing Club is poised to become a staple in the university’s extracurricular offerings.

Keep Reading

Discovering College Bass Fishing

The College Student’s Guide to Fishing Boston