CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Andrew Helms and Jake Whitaker put their school on the map in the fishing world when the pair won the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship in August.
In fact, the victory had immediate benefits for the club. By the time the school year started, the club was twice the size as last year’s.
That was one of the things Helms and Whitaker mentioned during their Twitter chat, hosted live from their home campus at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. See photos of the meeting here.
Below is a transcript of the chat in its entirety. You can read transcripts of previous Twitter chats with pros and with other college champions here.
Follow @BASS_Nation on Twitter for updates on the college series and other B.A.S.S. events.
Welcome to the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat, @andrewhelms14 and @jake_whitaker_ , and congratulations on your college championship win! Fans, they’re taking your questions live from the UNC Charlotte campus today!
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
Congrats on the @BASS_nation College Championship win, guys! What were your thoughts when you learned you had won?
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
It hadn’t really sunk in when we won, but it was a feeling of accomplishment.
I was just overwhelmed & happy to have made it as far as we had, and I knew we’d never forget it.
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
Any plans on fishing in the future @andrewhelms14 and @jake_whitaker_ ?
I just want to focus on college the next few years and make the best of them before I do anything.
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Absolutely, I’d love to pursue fishing. I know it will take a lot of hard work but it’s a dream of mine.
Congrats on the Championship @andrewhelms14 & @jake_whitaker_! Is the championship helping recruit more team members for your club?
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Absolutely. We saw the club double in size.
Yes, and it’s been nice to have some more people come out to our tournaments.
If you could pick a location for a #collegebass tournament, where would you go?
Lake Tillery is where I grew up fishing. It’s on the Yadkin chain.
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
One of the Great Lakes, maybe Erie, because I’ve been several times and it’s so much fun.
Taylor Thomas @taylor_thomas22
What lures were key for the win?
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
A SPRO Poppin’ Frog in the Killer Gill color.
I just came in behind Jake with a variety of topwater baits, and a buzzbait produced some of the better fish.
Andrew what kind of jigs do you throw
I only throw Ol Big Jigs. They have a new prototype coming out that’s pretty good.
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Green Fish lures will outfish Ol Big Jigs anytime.
SHAKE AND JAKE @huntnfish2324
how amazing is it to fish on a college level an be champs.
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
It’s really awesome because college fishing has really become so big and the competitors are so good.
The competition is so much stronger now, and to come out on top of such a strong field is something to be proud of.
SHAKE AND JAKE @huntnfish2324
I hope to reach the level you guys have while I’m in college. Best of luck in your fishing career.
Congrats guys on your win! Heads>spots @BASS_nation
It doesn’t matter spot or largemouth, as long as it’s big! Congrats and good luck in the Elite Series.
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
A largemouth on topwater is just the best way to catch ’em! Nothing like it.
How cool was it to watch yourself on @ESPNU
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
That’s something I’ve always wanted — to be on TV fishing! It was cool to relive it by watching the show.
I’ve watched it several times, and it’s just awesome to watch the day again. I still get excited.
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Yeah, I still get goosebumps!
Congratulations guys! Y’all enjoy the title!
Thanks!
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Appreciate it!
Brett Preuett @brettpreuett16
Congratulations guys on such a big win !! It is something u will never forget!! Also footage of yall catching them topwater fish!!
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Thanks, Brett! Good job on your Classic qual. I’m definitely jealous. And I wish I knew them fish were schooling.
Thanks, & we enjoyed watching your fish catches from the Classic bracket! Be careful in the Classic #accidentprone
Brett Preuett @brettpreuett16
Thanks guys.. I’ll try!! had to get a hook out my finger the other day #accidentprone
Just wanted to say congrats again guys!
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Appreciate it, Jon! I still thank you for letting me handle the fish on the last day!
Thanks! We appreciate all the work you guys do to make it such a great show.
Congrats hammers! Pretty impressive !
Thanks! Congratulations to you on the Elite Series and best of luck!
Jake Whitaker @jake_whitaker_
Thanks again! And good luck to you on the Elite Series. Looking forward to you and your brother tearing it up.