LEESBURG, Fla. — The 18th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College bass fishing program is kicking off its 2025 competition this week with the Strike King Bassmaster College Series tournament in Florida.

Five teams of two Red Hawk anglers each will test the waters on the Harris Chain of Lakes to try to earn valuable points towards the Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) School of the Year race and an opportunity to fish in the BASS College National Championship.

"We are excited to get the BASS 2025 season started with back-to-back tournaments in Florida," said Red Hawk bass fishing head coach Angela Mayo.

This week's fishing tournament tune up has been difficult with winter weather affecting the southwest United States.

"With the cold front that came through, the fishing has been tough, but the guys have worked hard during practice, and we are looking forward to the tournament," Mayo said. "The Harris Chain is one of those lakes that can produce huge fish and the next cast could be a personal best big fish. We would love to see our guys find a couple of those giant Florida largemouth bass."

Red Hawk anglers competing on the Harris Chain include duos Tyler Eggers and Grant Harris, Jacob Webb and Cabe Mackey, Braylon Carden and Isaac Patrick, Alex Standerfer and Dustin Stafford and Tyler Gunter and Mason Sills.

The top 25 finishers in this week's tournament qualify for the BASS College National Championship and earn points for their college or university in the ACA School of the Year race.

This week's tournament will the first of two for the Red Hawk bass fishing program in Florida. Eight more Catawba Valley bass fishing duos will compete next week at Lake Okeechobee out of Clewiston, Fla.