Technique & presentations
Casting, lure control, rigging, and choosing presentations that fit the conditions.
A season of development
Learn how.
Understand why.
Every day on the water presents different choices. Where should you start? What should you notice? When is it time to change?
EAA helps students work through those decisions. Coaching combines instruction, practice, and feedback so students understand what worked, what didn’t, and what to try next.
The program serves the Twin Cities metro area, with sessions running May through August.
What we work on
Skills students can use
in their own boat.
Finding fish
Reading shorelines, structure, cover, seasonal patterns, and electronics.
Decision-making
Boat positioning, practice strategy, time management, and knowing when to adjust.
Is EAA a good fit?
EAA welcomes beginners through experienced student anglers who have competitive goals and want to work at improving.
- Come ready to learn, try unfamiliar techniques, and respond to feedback.
- Practice between sessions and apply what you’ve learned.
- Focus on developing skills and decision-making, rather than simply catching the most fish during a session.
If you’re looking for a guided outing or casual fishing time without an ongoing coaching commitment, EAA probably isn’t the right fit.
Included with Full Track
A clear picture of your angler’s progress.
Every Full Track student receives a personalized season-end Student Angler Assessment—a written season review and development plan based on their coach’s observations.
- Understand the progress
- Specific observations connect the student’s goals with their development over the season.
- See where skills stand
- Eight areas, from mechanics and electronics to competitive mindset and teamwork, use four clearly defined skill levels.
- Know what comes next
- Three development priorities, plus off-season, equipment and coaching recommendations tailored to the student.
Page 3 of 5 · Skill ratings
Where we coach
Coaching across the Twin Cities
Explore coaching locations in the West, North, and South Metro. Lakes may include those below, with locations selected around conditions and coaching goals. We’ll discuss travel and scheduling fit during enrollment.
West Metro
Minnetonka, Independence, Waconia, and Medicine.
View full lake list
- Sarah
- Minnetonka
- Independence
- Waconia
- Medicine
- Bryant
- Lotus
- Bavaria
- Minnewashta
- Auburn
North Metro
Bald Eagle, Forest, Chisago, and White Bear.
View full lake list
- Bald Eagle
- Forest
- North Center
- South Center
- Chisago
- Green
- Big Marine
- White Bear
An occasional Minnetonka session may also be an option.
South Metro
Prior, Marion, O’Dowd, Orchard, and Crystal.
View full lake list
- Prior
- Marion
- O’Dowd
- Orchard
- Crystal
- Minnetonka
- Bryant
- Lotus
Before you enroll
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding the right fit
What ages do you coach?
We welcome student anglers ages 9 and older. Tell us about your student’s experience and goals, and we’ll talk through whether EAA is a good fit.
Does my student need to be an advanced angler?
No. We coach beginners through advanced student anglers. What matters most is an interest in competitive fishing, a willingness to learn, and time to practice between sessions.
Can two students enroll together?
Yes. One enrollment covers one or two anglers in the same boat. We’ll talk about their experience and goals to make sure the pairing works well.
Can a parent or boat captain come along?
Absolutely. A parent or boat captain is welcome to join the session and learn alongside the student anglers.
How do we get started?
Start with a conversation. Tell us about your student angler and what you’re hoping to get out of coaching. We’ll answer your questions and work out whether EAA is a good fit. Enrollment is by invitation, and space is limited.
Safety and getting ready
What safety rules apply on the water?
Everyone follows the coach’s safety instructions and wears protective, impact-resistant sunglasses. Anglers 15 and younger wear a life jacket the entire time on the water. Those 16 and older wear one whenever the boat’s main engine is running—and everyone wears one whenever the coach asks.
What should my student bring?
Bring protective, impact-resistant sunglasses and sun protection, such as a sun shirt, gaiter, or sunscreen. A comfortable, properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket is encouraged; we also have life jackets available. Equipment use is included. Before we head out, let us know about any medical needs, allergies, or medications that could affect the session.
Does my student need a boating permit—and will they drive the boat?
EAA requires anglers 13 and older to have a Minnesota Watercraft Operator’s Permit so they understand boating safety. The coach always runs the boat’s main engine. Students may get to use the trolling motor as part of a lesson, with the coach’s guidance.
What behavior is expected during sessions?
Come ready to learn, listen to your coach, treat people and equipment with respect, and be a good sport. Phones stay put away unless needed for communication, safety, or the lesson. No profanity, tobacco, or vaping.
What if my student needs a restroom break?
Just tell the coach. We’ll arrange a stop on shore or find appropriate facilities. Students may not urinate off the boat or into the water.
Scheduling and family logistics
How does scheduling work?
You’ll choose dates for your 10 Full Track or 6 Flex Track sessions from the available summer coaching schedule—you don’t need to attend every week. Full Track families get first access, followed by Flex Track families. We’ll discuss locations and scheduling before you enroll.
Where do sessions take place?
We coach on lakes around the Twin Cities metro. We’ll discuss your coach, locations, and travel expectations before you enroll. Sometimes we’ll change lakes because of conditions or tournament restrictions.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Rain alone doesn’t necessarily stop a session, but lightning and unsafe conditions do. Your coach may move, shorten, postpone, or cancel a session to keep everyone safe. If the coach cancels a session, we’ll try to find a replacement date, but we can’t guarantee one.
What if we miss a session or withdraw?
Tuition is non-refundable. If you miss a session, make-ups aren’t guaranteed.
Who handles drop-off and pick-up?
Families handle transportation. Please arrive on time for drop-off and pick-up.
Will my student always have the same coach?
Usually, but a qualified substitute may step in when needed. We’ll do our best to let you know ahead of time.
Coaching, competition, and equipment
What is the Student Angler Assessment?
Each Full Track student receives a personalized written assessment at the end of the season. It reviews their goals and development, describes capability across eight skill areas, and identifies three priorities for continued progress. It also includes practical recommendations for the off-season, equipment and future coaching.
Explore the sample or .
What do the four skill ratings mean?
The ratings describe how consistently a student applies each skill, based on their coach’s observations:
- 1 · Learning: needs frequent instruction and assistance.
- 2 · Developing: shows the skill, but execution or judgment is inconsistent.
- 3 · Independent: performs reliably in familiar situations and explains the choices.
- 4 · Adaptive: applies the skill reliably as conditions change and makes effective adjustments.
Each rating comes with specific observations. These are descriptions of capability, not rankings against other students or an overall letter grade. A skill the coach has not observed can be marked “Not observed.”
Do students who enroll together get separate assessments?
Yes. Each Full Track student receives their own assessment, with observations, skill ratings and development priorities specific to that student.
What should students expect between sessions?
Practice what you’ve learned and bring your questions to the next session. Both tracks include guidance for students and parents on equipment, opportunities, and development. Full Track adds more involved tournament preparation and follow-up. Flex offers support without that regular tournament-by-tournament involvement.
How does coaching work around tournament rules?
We respect tournament rules, which may mean staying off a lake before an event. Coaches sometimes captain for family members or other teams, so we don’t share private waypoints or competitive information from those efforts. Our focus is teaching students how to find fish and make their own decisions.
Can we arrange extra sessions or a smallmouth-focused trip?
Ask us. Extra sessions and smallmouth trips involving travel depend on availability and cost extra. We’ll discuss the location, timing, and price before you commit.
What if equipment is damaged?
Normal wear is part of fishing. Please take care of the boat and gear. If equipment is damaged beyond normal wear, we’ll talk with you about repair or replacement costs.
Enrollment
Start a conversation.
Tell us about your student angler, their goals, and what you’re looking for in a coach.
Enrollment is by invitation and closes once capacity is reached.