Some may remember that last year, Jeremy Reese and Trent Gephardt won the College Bass National Championship, placing first out of more than 50 of the top collegiate bass fishing teams in the country.

This year, the success continues with the UALR Bass Fishing Club.

Trent Gephardt and Carter Norman recently placed second in a National Guard FLW College Fishing Central Division event.

Q&A with Trent:

What is your major? What are you studying at UALR and what kind of career plans do you have?
My major is Biology (Fisheries and Wildlife management). My career hopefully will be in private consulting of water quality etc..

What happened to your old fishing partner Jeremy Reese? I’m seeing his name on last year’s championship article.
Jeremy Reese graduated the December after we won the National Championship in 08. He has since moved with his family back to South Carolina.

How does the UALR Bass Fishing Club work? How did it get started? I’m curious about how all that works.
The Bass Club is a student organization. We have about 14 members that are active in the club. It was started by Jeremy and a few others the spring of 08 to get to fish the national championship in Little Rock. Also it was a way to get anglers connected on campus. The club is pretty much geared for the bass tournament fisherman but we welcome all experience levels. We travel to several regional and national tournament events around the region.

So there are about 14 members.. How is it decided who will fish a particular tournament?
We hold several club tournaments to decide who gets to go. Also age limits some people. And some of the regional tournaments allow multiple teams to complete from a school.

Tell me about the tournaments themselves. What is the competition like? Do you notice any arrogance with teams from larger universities?
Most of the time guys from the bigger schools are pretty cool about things. We all have a common interest so it’s usually pretty easy to get along with them. Beating them of course makes it easier. (lol) And you earn the respect of being a solid fishermen.

How do local sponsors help the club?
We did have 4 companies this year that have been kind enough to help us out some, but other than that, it has been tough to get much in the way of local support. We have some national support in the way of line rods and product deals which helps tremendously.

How were you introduced to fishing?
I was introduced to fishing like most kids, through my dad. He is a bream fishermen and I have always had a fascination with bass. We would have small arguments when we went because he would be trying to bream fish and I would be trying to bass fish.

What style/method of fishing are you most comfortable with?
My style most favors a power fisherman’s style. I usually like to throw baits that move, that I can cover a lot of water with. My favorite lure to throw is a jig which forces me to slow down.

By finishing 2nd in the divisional tournament, you qualify to compete in the national college championship, right? Any thoughts or details about that?
Finishing 2nd in this event qualifies us to go to regions (not the national championship) which has yet to be announced. You have to make a top 5 at regionals to qualify for the national championship. We actually qualified last year finishing 3rd at Ouachita. We didn’t do so well at the regional in Indiana last year.

Q&A with Carter:

What is your major? Future career plans?
My major is nursing, and I’m actually starting the program this next fall. After graduation I would like to be a pediatric nurse. I love working with children and being able to help them would be a very beneficial job.

How did you become involved with UALR Bass Fishing?
I actually heard about the UALR Bass Club through a friend of mine that went to UALR, but graduated before he had a chance to join. I contacted the president at the time which was Trent Gephardt, and joined the team. Since then Trent and I have actually become fishing partners and good friends.

How were you introduced to fishing?
I’ve been fishing pretty much since I could hold a fishing rod. My dad, myself and my brothers would go over to my aunt’s pond and fish all the time. But I got into tournament fishing about 4 years ago when my friends got me to join the Jr Bassmaster White County club with them. And ever since it’s been my passion.

What style/method of fishing are you most comfortable with?
My favorite style of fishing would have to be anything finesse. Pitching and flipping is definitely one of my stronger points. There’s nothing better than feeling that “thump” at the other end of the line when you pitch a jig into some brush.

UALR students interested in joining the Bass Fishing Club may contact Trent Gephardt or connect with the club on Facebook.