By Will Voltz
Special to the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — Hewitt Bassin, a local fishing team comprised of students from Hewitt Trussville High School, will compete in the 2018 ASABFA Classic against 40 other high school teams from across the state on May 4 and 5 at Smith Lake. The annual tournament is an exclusive event limited to those teams who qualify by finishing in the state’s top 40 after three Spring Qualifier tournaments.
This spring, Hewitt Bassin sent five boats to compete in three qualifiers held at Lake Eufaula, Lake Wheeler and Pickwick Lake. In addition to the spring qualifiers, the team also competed in the ASABFA King of the Coosa Trail last fall with tournaments held at Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell.
While the team’s season has been quite successful, what’s most impressive is that the team did not exist a year ago. Upon entering high school last Fall and eager to get involved in the growing popularity of high school bass fishing, a group of freshman was disappointed to find that the high school team had dissolved.
With the help of some willing parents and the support of ASABFA district representative Curtis Gossett, sponsor Lew’s Fishing and local FLW pro Blake Nick, a private team was formed in September of 2017 to enable the kids to compete and enjoy the sport they love. By word of mouth, the team has now grown to twenty four-anglers with several fathers and grandfathers volunteering as boat captains.
Although still not recognized by the Trussville City School system, Hewitt Bassin hopes to secure a school sponsor in the Fall to enable the team to further grow, compete in additional tournaments, and involve the community in its success.
For more information, visit and like Hewitt Bassin’s Facebook page.