The fishing team, led by head coach Kevin Hunt and assistant Roy Lyons, prepares for Region 2 competition this weekend at Lake Cumberland.  Team member Johnnie Pirtle answered a few questions about his fishing career.  

Q: Why did you begin fishing competitively?

A: I joined the bass fishing team my sophomore year because a buddy, who was a freshman at the time, got a boat and wanted me to join with him. We did and have been boat partners for the last three years. I have been fishing all my life; it’s a passion of mine and something I will continue my whole life.

Q: How is the season going so far? 

A: The season (for me) started off great, but it’s been going on a downhill slope since, mainly because I tore my knee up at the beginning of the season. That caused me to miss two tournaments, which lowered my ranking by a decent amount. As of now, I’m a top five angler and will be going down to Jamestown for regionals.

Q: What is your position on the team, and what skills does that require?

A: Well, we don’t really have positions on our team, but I’m usually the guy that’s always late and just kind of goofs off and somehow catches a fish when I need to. My best skill is definitely the casting competitions we do before every tournament. Basically, the whole team competes by casting into bowls or buckets, and whoever has the best scores fish that week.

Q: What has been your favorite memory on the team?

A: My favorite memory on the team was definitely spending time with all my friends at regionals last year, even though I didn’t catch a fish. My favorite moment on the boat was when I caught a 12-pound drum — and thought it was a world-record bass.

Q: In what ways do you plan to continue your sport after your high school career?

A: Well, I always wanted to go to college and fish, but I’m going to UK so there’s not much of that up there. I will fish when I come back home on the weekends or go on some trips with buddies when I get a chance.

Q: What is your fondest memory of Trinity High School?

A: My most fond moment at Trinity was definitely retreat and getting to know all my brothers emotionally and spiritually.