Story By: Riley Underwood
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – University of Montevallo bass fishing team has been lighting up the nation with its success over the past few years. With three back-to-back national championship wins, the Falcons are eyeing the fourth this season. Montevallo began the season just how they ended last season: winning.
The Falcons hosted a tournament on Lake Guntersville October 8, 2023, presented by Collegiate Bass. The team was looking to boost their points in the Team of the Year standings. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the national champion.
Lake Guntersville is located in north Alabama. The lake is the largest in Alabama stretching 107.8 square miles and covering over 67,000 acres of surface water. Lake Guntersville is a popular fishing spot and hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year.
Lake Guntersville is home to many different types of fish including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappies, catfish, and many more.
Montevallo is known for having their name at the top of the leaderboard. If not in first place, Montevallo is seen very close to that top position.
When looking at the results, Montevallo dominated this tournament with eight boats in the top ten. Miller Dowling and Parker O’Bryan led the field with a first-place finish, weighing in 18.31 pounds. Montevallo anglers Asa Putnam and Brett Mouw were right behind them, weighing in 18.24 pounds with a second-place finish.
Even with the tough tournament conditions, I feel like the guys definitely brought their A-game and showed up ready to win it.
Davian Smith, senior at University of Montevallo
The weather seemed to play a big factor in success on the water. There was a cold snap this weekend that caused the fishing conditions to change. It was also very windy, and this created some problems for the anglers.
As the wind increases, the chances of catching a bass decreases. “The wind got up higher each day, so the bite got a little tougher,” said Smith “but I was still able to catch them doing the same thing.” Most fish were caught in practice before the weather took a turn. “Even with the tough tournament conditions, I feel like the guys definitely brought their A-game and showed up ready to win it,” said Davian Smith.
To have enough boats for the tournament to count, some Montevallo anglers fished solo. Hagan Marlin, a senior at the University of Montevallo, was one of those solo anglers.
Some people don’t like fishing solo, but I personally enjoy it. It allows me to choose my own game plan and it’s up to me to execute it.
Hagan Marlin
Solo fishing can have its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that no one can tell you what to do. You make your own plan and have free range to change it as you want. “Some people don’t like fishing solo, but I personally enjoy it. It allows me to choose my own game plan and it’s up to me to execute it,” said Hagan Marlin.
On the other hand, no one is there to help you. If you get stuck or need help finding fish, you are unfortunately all on your own. There is also not a person there to talk to which can become very boring while being on the water all day.
Sending out solo anglers is not uncommon for Montevallo. This tactic is used to fill more spots, and it also creates more chances of winning. While some might view this as unfair, it is a strategy that anyone can use.
This tournament added another win for Montevallo. The Falcons will be on the water again looking for another win Oct. 28-29 on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.
Vallo Vision News 