About Us
About Capital Bass Academy – Expert Bass Fishing Instruction for DC Youth
Born out of our successful Kids Fishing Club Summer Camp, Capital Bass Academy was created for young anglers who are ready to move beyond recreational fishing and begin training for competitive success. Designed with teens in mind, our program provides the challenge, discipline, and advanced instruction needed to prepare for local tournaments, school fishing teams, and even the path toward collegiate bass fishing.
Led by licensed captains, seasoned instructors, and competitive anglers, the Academy goes far beyond casting and catching. Students receive focused training in tournament-style techniques, strategy, and preparation—from reading water conditions and selecting the right gear to practicing conservation and sportsmanship. Just as importantly, they develop the mental toughness, teamwork, and confidence it takes to perform under pressure.
At Capital Bass Academy, we’re not just teaching kids to fish—we’re building tomorrow’s tournament champions.
Our Team Members
Meet The Guides
Capital Bass Academy Programs
The Premier Youth Bass Fishing Program in Washington, DC
At Capital Bass Academy, our 8-week sessions are designed to prepare teens for competitive bass fishing tournaments, blending hands-on instruction with real-world practice on the Potomac River. Each class emphasizes tournament-style strategies, advanced techniques, and the mental toughness it takes to compete at the next level.
Every angler gets personalized coaching from licensed captains, experienced guides, and competitive anglers. Whether your teen is brand new to bass fishing or already has some experience, our structured program builds skills step-by-step and provides the foundation for school fishing teams, local tournaments, and even future collegiate bass fishing.
❄️ Session 1: Winter Bass Mastery
Dates: January 15 – March 10
Focus: Cold-water techniques and off-season training
Why Winter?
Only the most dedicated anglers fish in winter—and those are often the ones who win. This session develops patience, finesse, and the mental game needed for tournament competition.
Session Highlights
- Mastering slow presentations in cold water
- Finding winter holding areas with structure
- Mental training for tournament focus and persistence
- Equipment prep and off-season mastery
Weekly Curriculum
- Cold-water safety and survival protocols
- Finesse presentations with jigs and plastics
- Deep-structure fishing strategies
- Ultra-light line and winter finesse rigs
- Gear maintenance and repair workshop
- Rigging mastery and knot clinics
- Mental preparation for tournaments
- Winter challenge competitive event
Best For: Dedicated anglers preparing for the spring tournament season.
🌸 Session 2: Spring Bass Academy
Dates: March 15 – May 10
Focus: Pre-spawn and spawn tournament strategies
Why Spring?
Spring is prime time for bass fishing lessons in DC, when fish are most active and tournament seasons kick off.
Session Highlights
- Tournament prep during peak bass season
- Pre-spawn and spawning behavior strategies
- Mastering shallow-water sight fishing presentations
- Conservation ethics during spawning months
Weekly Curriculum
- Equipment setup, safety protocols, knot mastery
- Casting accuracy drills for competition
- Pre-spawn patterns and lure strategy
- Spinnerbait and jig training
- Sight fishing and spawn targeting
- Topwater tactics for spring bass
- Conservation and ethical competitive angling
- End-of-session mini-tournament
Best For: Teens wanting to build a competitive foundation during the most active fishing season.
☀️ Session 3: Summer Catfish & Bass Intensive
Dates: June 15 – August 10
Focus: Hot-weather strategies and tournament endurance
Why Summer?
Tournament fishing doesn’t pause for heat. This session trains teens to succeed in tough summer conditions with deep-water bass tactics and tournament-style endurance.
Session Highlights
- Deep-water structure fishing with electronics
- Carolina rig, drop shot, and finesse tournament techniques
- Early morning and evening competitive strategies
- Simulated summer tournament
Weekly Curriculum
- Heat safety and hydration protocols
- Using electronics to locate tournament bass
- Deep-water Carolina rig & drop shot practice
- Morning and evening tournament planning
- Finesse techniques for pressured fish
- Weedline and cover fishing
- Tournament tackle prep and rigging clinic
- Full tournament simulation
Best For: Teens with some fishing experience who want to sharpen tournament skills and push through tough summer conditions.
🍂 Session 4: Fall Feeding Frenzy
Dates: September 15 – November 10
Focus: Fall tournament patterns and feeding behavior
Why Fall?
Fall offers explosive fishing as bass bulk up for winter. This session trains teens to adapt to changing conditions and capitalize on aggressive feeding patterns—a crucial skill for tournament anglers.
Session Highlights
- Aggressive fall feeding strategies
- Baitfish identification and lure matching
- Crankbait and spinnerbait tournament practice
- Open-water and schooling bass competition
Weekly Curriculum
- Fall bass biology and feeding prep
- Baitfish identification and matching
- Crankbait and spinnerbait tournament practice
- Schooling bass in open water
- Fishing through cold fronts
- Transition zone strategies
- Tournament gear maintenance
- End-of-season competitive event
Best For: Experienced anglers wanting to refine tournament techniques and extend their season.
Why Choose Capital Bass Academy?
- The only youth bass fishing program in Washington DC focused on competitive tournament training
- Licensed captains and competitive anglers as instructors
- Small class sizes for maximum coaching
- Season-by-season progression from winter mastery to fall competition
- Real tournament simulations to prepare teens for success
If you’re searching for bass fishing lessons DC, youth fishing program Washington DC, or teen fishing classes DC, Capital Bass Academy is the region’s top choice for preparing teens to become tomorrow’s tournament champions.