LSU Shreveport Fishing posts strong start to spring, braves arctic conditions

LSU Shreveport Fishing posts strong start to spring, braves arctic conditions

SHREVEPORT - The arctic cold front didn't cool off LSU Shreveport Fishing as the Pilots placed two boats in the top 35 of the first competition of the spring semester.

The pairing of junior Bryce Distefano and freshman Caden Williamson finishing a team-best 16^th with a two-day total of 33-3 in the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Kissimmee Chain in Florida from Jan. 22-23.

Seniors Miles Smith and William Tew hauled in 27-11 to place No. 35.

"These guys took care of business in tough conditions," said LSUS coach Charles Thompson. "With the warming trends that are occurring in Florida, the fish are spawning now.

"The temperatures are routinely a lot higher in Florida, but during our three days of practice, it was really cold. Florida fish aren't accustomed to cold weather, but when it warms up, they know it, and they push. You have to be prepared for where they are when it's cold, but also where they are going to be when it warms up, which it did."

Five other LSUS boats finished in the top 105 in a field that consisted of 221 boats.

Freshmen Carter Lanclos and Mo Katz finished 51^st (24-4), freshman Colton Caskey and junior Mason McCormick came in 81^st (19-11), sophomore Johnny Hudson Jr. and junior Triston Richardson popped in at 83^rd (19-6), juniors Tyler Morris and Hunter Hamilton came in 95^th (17-11) and freshmen Carsen Adcock and Will Powell finished 104^th (16-7).

Thompson said LSUS's strength as a program lies in spring fishing, and this start to the spring semester will mean LSUS can begin its national rankings climb from a No. 13 ranking heading into this tournament.

"It's a good start to the spring, and it's a great momentum builder for some of the young guys," Thompson said. "I was particularly proud of (Lanclos and Katz) because they've had some rough tournaments this fall, but they stuck it out and stuck together.

"Spring usually plays better I our hands because we're more used to shallow water and shallow fishing."

Even though LSUS powered through the arctic cold front on the water, the return trip to Louisiana wasn't without winter effects.

The group couldn't travel past Baton Rouge as sleet and ice began to blanket the state Jan. 24.

The family church of Hunter Hamilton (The Chapel in Baton Rouge) hosted the boys safe return with a few meals while the 15 anglers found refuge for four days at the grandparents' house of Tyler Morris.

"They got a lot of homework done between duck hunting and fishing while they were stranded," Thompson said. "They even got some indoor skydiving in."

Up next, LSUS will send two boats to the Major League Fishing College National Championships on Lake Murray in Columbia, S.C., which occurs Feb. 12-14.

Miles Smith, Levi Thibodaux, and Mason McCormick will be part of the national championship field.

Thibodaux and Smith are in Florida this week fishing the first stop of the MLF Pro Circuit as both anglers attempt to crack the professional ranks.