Written by:
Rhiauna Switzer
Introduction to fishing
My mom and dad used fishing as their date nights growing up, so I have been on the boat with both of them since I could hold a pole myself! Both of them have been a huge part of this journey, but my dad has been my true inspiration for it all.
Experiences and challenges
In 6th grade, my partner, Abigail, and I got the chance to fish a local junior tournament that my dad had heard about. We were the only girls there and a little intimidated for sure. However, by the grace of God, we ended up winning the tournament—which was actually the Junior State Championship—and qualified for our first National Championship!
We’ve now qualified for Nationals through our two trails a total of five times throughout our six years of fishing. We recently won the State Championship on the same lake where we won our very first tournament and have made history once again! Not only are we the only all-female team to win the Junior State Championship, but we are also the only all-female team to win the High School State Championship. We were also Anglers of the Year our 8th grade year—and are still the only female team to hold that title.
It’s been an absolutely blessed and amazing journey through and through, and the support we’ve received from the families and friends of this community have made it the dream it has been for us. We still receive some backlash on occasion for the success that we’ve had. High school boys don’t like to lose—especially not to people who aren’t “supposed” to succeed in their field. However, the naysayers are few and far between anymore, and the community has been beyond amazing and welcoming!
Perceptions and attitudes
I would honestly say 99% of people are genuinely happy and excited to see women continuing to grow in this field. It has definitely gained popularity throughout our time fishing, and women are not really a shock to see anymore—which is amazing!
The parents have been some of the most excited, especially the moms. I’ve met so many moms who are thrilled to see girls succeeding in something they were told years ago they couldn’t do. We not only do all of this for ourselves and our families, but also for all of the women who had the passion and weren’t able to pursue it—and for the younger ones who might feel like they don’t belong.
The boys have been fairly welcoming as well. We’ve met some of our best friends through our years on the trail and have definitely made genuine connections to last a lifetime. There’s always going to be that 1% who doesn’t believe it’s right and never will—but when the rest of the community is so great, it’s hard to focus too much on the 1%.
I believe being taken seriously as genuine competition has required a little more success than it typically does, but if anything, it has given Abigail and me even more drive to succeed to the best of our ability!
Support system
The support all around has been indescribable. The women in the community who fish at the professional level know and have experienced firsthand the struggles we all face, and it has been beyond comforting to have someone with experience be so open and supportive of everything we do.
We’ve been connected to the BassmastHER community for some time now, and they have been the most welcoming women I have ever met. They show both passion and grace with every success and failure they experience. They are the perfect example of what women in the sport should look like, and I could not be more thankful to have them in my corner.
Representation and visibility
I believe the opportunities we’ve been given to get our names out to the media have been beyond amazing. From day one, the community, sponsors, media, friends, and family have been how we’ve received the representation we have.
My father put everything into giving us not only the resources to succeed but also the connections to succeed. The media has been more than excited to support us, but my father has been a large part of that process as well, and I could never thank him enough.
Changes over time
As women have continued to grow in the competitive field, it’s been amazing to watch them thrive in the field we’ve grown to be accepted in. I’m personally never surprised when I see a woman take checks from the boys in our field now more than ever—and I believe it’s becoming a very normalized thing. It’s amazing to watch for sure!
Equality and inclusion efforts
The only efforts I can suggest are for women to continue to grow this sport! Make it something people see every day rather than a woman here and there succeeding. The more we continue to grow our community and succeed, the less anyone—no matter who they are—will be able to say.
Personal achievement
My entire fishing career has been what has put me in the positions I’m in today. All of the successes and failures have molded me into the angler I’m growing to be. I am proud of never losing sight of what I believe in and always pushing myself to reach the potential I knew—not only myself but also my partner and I—were always capable of.
Fishing style
I love finesse fishing, and I believe it’s been a huge part of the success Abigail and I have had. Fishing is not easy more often than not, and typically will require someone to slow down and make the fish bite.
Although I do love a good topwater and spinnerbait bite, I will always love getting to slow down and finesse some fish.
Advice for aspiring female anglers
Do not ever let someone who doesn’t know anything about your abilities tell you how successful or unsuccessful you can be. Know your drive, know your abilities, and know you can do it just as good—if not better—than the ones doubting you!
You can follow Rhiauna Switzer on Instagram: @rhiauna_switzer
