Severna Park High School Bass Fishing Team
A Maryland student fishing program built on learning, safety, and competition. We develop anglers through team meetings and practice, then compete in Maryland pathways and national high school formats.
A student club team of Severna Park High School · Anne Arundel County, Maryland
About the Team
We're building a Severna Park, Maryland high school bass fishing program around safety, skill development, and competition. Members learn how to plan, adapt, and work together, then apply those skills in tournament conditions.
- Team meetings: seasonal patterns, tackle and rigging, rules mindset, fish care, safety
- Practice opportunities: bank sessions and boat sessions as captains are available
- Competition prep: mapping, decision-making, communication, time management
- Conservation: ethical catch-and-release, habitat respect, clean-water awareness
- Reading conditions: season, temperature, wind, water clarity, weather shifts
- Building a plan: primary pattern, secondary option, backup water, and when to move
- Executing: presentations, lure selection, line and rod choices, landing and fish handling
- Competing: staying calm, smart risk decisions, teamwork, and sportsmanship
Where you fit
- Open to students associated with Severna Park High School in grades 9 through 12
- Members must meet team safety expectations and complete any required paperwork for events entered
- Tournament participation depends on roster space, available boat captains, and event requirements
Students ready for structured team meetings, practice planning, and tournament preparation. Anglers who want to compete in high school events and grow within a team environment, with family support for scheduling and transportation.
- Designed for younger anglers who are not yet in high school and want to develop within the program
- Best for students ready to learn safety, fish care, tackle basics, and team expectations
- Participation depends on age-appropriate opportunities, family support, and available team capacity
- Intended to prepare anglers for future participation in the high school division
The junior division helps us build the next wave of anglers and strengthen the future of the program.
How competition works
Most high school events are built around two-student teams in one boat with an adult boat captain focused on safety and boat operation. Students do the fishing and the strategy.
Students run the fishing decisions
Students decide where to fish, what to throw, how long to stay, and when to pivot. Great teams communicate: "What are we seeing?" "Is it a pattern?" "Do we chase big bites or secure a limit?"
Boat captains run safety and timing
Captains operate the boat, manage safe navigation, watch weather, and ensure the team returns on time and stays within rules. On tournament day, safety comes first.
Results are by total weight
Teams are ranked by the total weight of their legal fish. Details like limits, penalties, and scoring vary by trail; always confirm the rulebook for your event.
- Check-in, boat number/flight, safety check
- Gear ready: PFD, kill switch, livewell prep, water/snacks
- Team plan: primary area + backups + time budget
- Confirm a pattern, refine it, and adjust when it slows down
- Team roles: one can target a limit while the other hunts upgrades
- Respect other boats and manage travel time for check-in
- Return on time (late penalties vary)
- Fish care matters; healthy fish is the standard
- Rankings by weight; some events award points/qualification
- Operate safely and legally, manage weather calls
- Help with timing and logistics
- Ensure rules compliance for the event entered
Note: Event rules vary by trail and season. We link official resources so families can confirm requirements before entering.
Tournament Schedule
The Maryland B.A.S.S. Nation Youth Trail schedule for high school and junior anglers. Fall 2026 dates are pending final park approval. Check back for additions, timing updates, and captain assignments.
On the board
Congratulations to all SPHS anglers and boat captains on a strong season. Will and Conner won the Junior Division State Championship on May 31 at Smallwood State Park on the Potomac River, and qualified for the National Championship at Kentucky Lake at Paris Landing, Tennessee at the end of July.
Junior Division State Champions — May 31, 2026, fishing with Captain Steve Shaffer at the Potomac State Championship.
Will and Conner with Captain Justin Talbott
John Luke and Jack with Captain Ken Gaudioso
Will and Conner with Captain Steve Shaffer
John Luke and Jack with Captain Ken Gaudioso
Grant and Jack with Captain Dan Sandel
Will and Conner with Captain Steve Shaffer
Other SPHS boats also represented the team at the championship.
From the water
A look back at the season, from tournament days to team moments on and around the water.
Join the team
Start by contacting the parent sponsor to express interest in joining the team. Once an angler is added to the team roster, they will need to complete both official memberships below before fishing team events.
Contact the parent sponsor
Start here. Contact the parent sponsor to express your interest in joining the team. Once you are added to our team roster, you will receive meeting details, captain availability updates, practice information, and tournament sign-up information.
Contact the SponsorB.A.S.S. Youth Membership
The national youth membership through B.A.S.S. Required for anglers participating in B.A.S.S.-connected youth and high school fishing programs. Cost: $12/year.
Register for B.A.S.S.Maryland Bass Nation
The Maryland state-level membership. Required in addition to the B.A.S.S. Youth Membership for anglers fishing Maryland Bass Nation events. Cost: $30/year.
Register with MBNMaryland Boater Safety Course
All high school anglers must complete the Maryland Boater Safety Course before participating in team events.
Take the Course- PFD, polarized glasses, rain layer
- Two rods if you have them (we'll help you build a simple plan)
- Confidence baits: one moving bait and one bottom bait
- Small tackle bag, pliers, cutters, sunscreen, water and snacks
Boat Captain Registration
Adults who want to support the team on the water as a boat captain must complete the Maryland Bass Nation boat captain registration and the Maryland Boater Safety Course.
- Open the official Maryland Bass Nation boat captain registration page.
- Complete the requested registration details.
- Complete the Maryland Boater Safety Course.
- Follow any additional instructions listed on that page for the 2026 season.
- Reach out through our contact form if you want to support the SPHS team specifically.
Who backs the team
Strong local support helps our Severna Park bass fishing team grow. We are grateful for the clubs, businesses, and anglers who invest in student fishing and help build more opportunities for our team.
We want to publicly thank Crabtowne Bassmasters for their support of the SPHS Bass Fishing Team and for investing in the growth of student fishing in our community.
Their partnership strengthens local youth fishing, supports the development of student anglers, and reflects the kind of community investment that helps this program keep growing.
Visit Crabtowne
We appreciate Park Hardware Bait and Tackle for supporting the SPHS Bass Fishing Team and helping local student anglers grow in the sport.
Visit Park Hardware
We appreciate 4-Ten Baits for backing the team and supporting more opportunities for our anglers on and off the water.
Visit 4-Ten BaitsTalk to the parent sponsor
Use this form for team questions, parent sponsor inquiries, registration help, or sponsor interest. This form sends directly to the Parent Sponsor. Email addresses are not shown publicly.
Team Constitution
Article I — Name and Purpose. Severna Park High School Bass Fishing Team ("SPHS Team"). The team exists to teach safe, ethical bass fishing and proper fish handling; develop student leadership, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure; compete in appropriate youth and high school tournament formats as feasible; and promote conservation and respect for waterways and other anglers.
Article II — Membership. Open to students associated with Severna Park High School (grades 9–12). Members must follow safety expectations, team conduct standards, and complete required paperwork for entered events.
Article III — Officers. President (Team Captain), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Safety & Conservation Lead.
Article IV — Meetings and Activities. Meetings will be held regularly during the school year, with additional sessions before tournaments. Activities may include skills clinics, conservation projects, and practice days.
Article V — Competition and Boat Captains. Adult captains operate the boat and prioritize safety and compliance. Students fish and make strategic decisions. Tournament participation depends on rostered teams, available captains, and completed paperwork.
Article VI — Conduct. Respect other boats, follow tournament boundaries and instructions, practice conservation and ethical angling at all times. Unsafe or unsportsmanlike behavior may result in removal.
Article VII — Amendments. Amendments require advance notice and a two-thirds vote of members present.