(Editor’s note: Leading up to the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship, slated to be held April 7-9 on Kentucky Lake at Murray State University, CollegeFishing.com will be publishing semiweekly feature stories highlighting the 25 national championship qualifiers. At stake in the tournament is a first-place prize package worth $100,000 as well as a chance for the winning team to compete in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.)
Class: Senior
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
Other interests: Engineering.
Class: Senior
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Whittier, Calif.
Other interests: Fort Pierce, Fla.
Q&A
CollegeFishing.com: How were you introduced to fishing?
Croyle: I was introduced into fishing by my father. I grew up fishing the Intracoastal Waterway of southwest Florida targeting snook, redfish and tarpon. However, we lived on a freshwater drainage canal and my love for the sport of bass fishing was created in a 14-foot aluminum johnboat.
Gates: My uncles introduced me to bass fishing. My brother and cousin Charlie introduced me to saltwater fishing.
CollegeFishing.com: What style/method of fishing are you most comfortable with?
Croyle: Well it depends on were I am at. If I’m fishing a body of water with plenty of grass I’m going to try to find a flipping bite for sure. If I’m fishing a body of water with lots of points, channels and wood, I would probably be on a offshore bite.
Gates: I’m most comfortable fishing Skinny Dippers and lipless crankbaits.
CollegeFishing.com: What did it feel like to qualify for the 2011 FLW College Fishing National Championship? How do you plan to prepare for the big event?
Croyle: I was really excited to qualify for this event. We are in the process of making plans to practice, however the event is right in the smack middle of the semester and its tough when you’re an engineering student. I have fished Kentucky Lake before so I am pretty sure everyone there is going to catch them. It’s just going to come down to which team is averaging the biggest bag.
Gates: It was great to qualify for the National Championship. It was definitely a big accomplishment. I plan to prefish for the National Championship during spring break.
CollegeFishing.com: Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.
Croyle: You can ask me in person if you want to know something about me that everyone else does not know.
Gates: N/A