Extension Matters

Volume 11 Number 2

Angling for More

Mississippi 4-H’er’s successes in 4-H Kayak and Fishing Club opens opportunities

Story by Leah Bowers | Photos by Kevin Hudson

Patience. Self-discipline. Respect for life. Appreciation for the outdoors.

When children learn to fish, they grow up sharpening these important life skills, and the popular Mississippi 4-H Kayak and Fishing Clubs are teaching young people all over the state how to succeed in fishing—and in life.

Charlie Sanders started 4-H, which is delivered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, at 8 years old in the 4-H Shooting Sports program in Oktibbeha County; he competed in archery and several other disciplines until he was 12. Then, in 2023, a new county Extension agent, Thad Moody, introduced the state’s new 4-H Kayak and Fishing program. Charlie, now 15, was a member from the start.

“I had fished and kayaked since I was able to walk; I got my first kayak at 4,” he laughs. “I was learning new things, and I started fishing a lot. We met at a lot of different lakes all over the area. Thad would also take us 4-H’ers to residents in the county who had overstocked ponds help them manage the ponds.

“I got a lot of practice through 4-H, learned through tournaments, and it made my skills to fish better.”

Charlie, son of Will and Mandi Sanders of Sturgis, started kayak bass fishing even more regularly, and once he saw professional kayak setups, he knew he had to make his own even better. Charlie continues to compete in 4-H tournaments, but he’s taking his skills to the next level—he is also fishing in adult tournaments and competing against professional anglers.

Charlie is fishing all over Mississippi; in addition to Oktibbeha County, he’s fished waters in Choctaw, Jasper, Lee, Neshoba, Noxubee, Panola, Smith, Tishomingo, Webster, and Winston Counties.

“Thad was into tournament fishing, and there aren’t many youth tournaments except for 4-H, so I started entering adult tournaments,” Charlie explains. “In 2024, I won the 4-H state tournament and both the 4-H virtual month-long tournaments.”

Next was the Kayak Bass Fishing series, Knuklhed, and with 12,000 members, Charlie was one of about 500 to qualify to be named to a team and compete against the other top fishers. He got to meet fishing influencers he’d seen on YouTube, and his team placed 24th of 81. This qualified him to participate in the Kayak Bass Fishing National Championship last November at Lake Guntersville in Alabama.

As 2025 dawned, Charlie decided his goal was to catch and release 150 inches of fish and place in the top 10 fishing at the No Limit Big Bass Power Hour 2025.

“4-H taught me to make goals,” Charlie emphasizes. “I got fourth of 80 in the tournament; I was competing against professional anglers. I was close to winning, and I caught 237 inches of fish.”

He is the youngest person ever to get paid in this professional tournament series that hosts tournaments all over the country. As he continues setting goals as an angler, Charlie is also making goals for his life.

“Next year, once I have my driver’s license, I want to compete in even more local and regional tournaments, including the Bassmaster Kayak Series that I have to be 16 to compete in,” he says. “I’ve been on YouTube since late 2024, and I want to do more there. But I’ll keep on with 4-H.

“I like to help out younger people who are newer to fishing to make sure they’re having fun when they fish,” he continues. “I prefer helping others catch fish, especially younger kids; I like it even better than my doing so well. Now I help run the fishing tournaments here.”

Breann Keowen, current Extension agent in Oktibbeha County, leans on Charlie’s expertise and encourages him to take on leadership roles with the local Kayak and Fishing Club.

“He’s helped maintain the program, and the younger 4-H’ers look up to him,” she says. “He’s dedicated and always willing to try new things. He loves bass fishing, and he’s super patient with the young 4-H’ers. He walks them through step by step, and they look up to him.”

While Moody is now a former agent, he is a certified 4-H volunteer leader, and he helps organize Mississippi 4-H Sportfishing tournaments. The next tournament, Fishin’ the ‘Sip’ runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31and is open to all 4-H’ers. For the virtual catch and release competition, young anglers are fishing bass and documenting their length on the TourneyX app.

Charlie is absolutely competing to win again, and he affirms his angling career has only just begun.

You can follow Charlie’s journey on Instagram or YouTube at charliesandersfishing.

“Fishing is something I see myself doing my whole life, and 4-H has played a big role in that,” he says. “I’m learning life skills here.