Talk is cheap if you want to grow the sport of bass fishing. Building the fishing industry takes real action, and at FLW, there are big things – well beyond simply talking – coming this week as part of the organization’s continued efforts to grow the sport.

On Wednesday, 230 high school students and 70 adults (coaches, parents and club advisors) from as far west as California and as far north as Vermont will gather at Murray State University in western Kentucky for the second annual Costa FLW High School Fishing Camp. That’s nearly double the number of participants from last year’s inaugural camp.

“After a successful first High School Fishing Camp in 2018, it’s very exciting to see this program grow to 300 campers for this year’s event,” says FLW National Youth Director Scott Ellison, who’s heading up Summer Camp this week. “We have some return campers as well as many new faces. The students, parents and anglers leave with so many new relationships and renewed energy for the sport.”

Attendees will stay on the Murray State campus and travel each day to Kentucky Lake to participate in hands-on seminars and demonstrations on subjects ranging from boat maintenance and organization to fish care and conservation, as well as fishing techniques, angler etiquette and tackle making. There will also be a field trip to the FLW operations headquarters in Benton, Ky., for media training seminars and a forum on career opportunities in the fishing industry.

Parents will learn about best practices for high school bass clubs, fish care, working with sponsors and more.

“We have 34 different educational sessions being taught by more than 40 professional presenters covering a wide range of topics that include tactics, fish care and career advice,” adds Ellison.

The real draw of the camp, of course, is the stable of professional anglers who’ll be hosting the campers. This year’s roster includes Luke Dunkin, Larry Nixon, Bryan Thrift, David Dudley, Russell Cecil, Bill McDonald, Josh Weaver, Bradley Hallman, Tom Redington, Todd Castledine, Cody Kelley, Brandon Hunter, Joey Cifuentes, Brad Knight, Bailey Boutries, Matt Stefan, Terry Bolton and James Niggemeyer.

FLW tournament, public relations and media staff members will also be participating.

Stay tuned this week for more updates from the Costa FLW High School Fishing Summer Camp.

Click here to see photos from last year’s camp.