4 Ways to Start Mentoring Other Anglers in Texas

From legendary freshwater bass fishing destinations like Lake Fork or Lake Sam Rayburn to saltwater surf fishing venues such as Galveston Island State Park, the Lonestar State offers plenty of fantastic places to fish and mentor new anglers. Learn about four ways to pay it forward and start mentoring other anglers in Texas.

Being a mentor to a new angler can have a significant impact on someone who is just starting to learn about fishing. Use these resources and tips for mentoring other anglers in Texas.

1. Volunteer at a Local Fishing Clinic or Event

Share the excitement of fishing with beginning anglers of all ages by volunteering at a local fishing clinic or event near your community. Get information on when clinics are scheduled and sign up to become a volunteer by contacting Texas Parks and Wildlife or getting in touch with organizations such as Sea Star Base Galveston. If you are new to fishing, local fishing clinics and events can be a great way of finding an angler mentor in Texas too.

2. Become a Certified Angler Education Instructor

Get certified to become an angler education instructor by attending free workshops through Texas Parks and Wildlife. These workshops are offered for free and designed for anyone 18 years of age or older who is interested in becoming an angler mentor in Texas. For anyone who has some fly fishing experience and wants to mentor aspiring fly anglers, a supplemental course that covers fly fishing is also offered. Register in advance for certified angler education courses through Texas Parks and Wildlife.

3. Get in Touch with Jeanine Blair of Fishanistas

Jeanine Blair runs a women’s fishing group called Fishanistas based out of Texas City that is designed to encourage and support women of all races and ethnic backgrounds in the fishing community. The Fishanistas mission is to provide a strong, empowering sisterhood combined with a fun and safe atmosphere for women to learn how to fish. Connect with the Fishanistas Facebook Group to find out if she could use additional fishing mentors for her women’s events.

4. Become a Youth Fishing Volunteer at Sea Center Texas

Two types of fishing events are held at Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson, which is a Texas Parks and Wildlife facility. First, there are public catch and release fishing events that are held three times a year in February, June, and September. Volunteers are needed to answer questions as well as to help land and release fish.

Now that you know how to mentor other anglers in Texas through these local programs and events, get involved – you’ll be glad you did!