Junior Lisa Lessig shares a witty and sarcastic view of high school life.

According to an article posted on Alabama.com, there are 34 million hunters and fishermen in the United States.  Two of those 34 million fishermen are West Deptford High School sophomores Jake Mangano and Tony Freeman.

Like many aspiring fisherman, Mangano and Freeman developed an interest in the sport at a young age.

“I started fishing when I was very young, probably around four or five-years-old.  I mostly started because my dad fished for his entire life, so I wanted to try it too,” says Freeman.

Mangano also started fishing for some of the same reasons.  “My dad and I started fishing when I was about seven,” says Mangano, who has since placed third at the New Jersey State Bass Fishing Championships. He also fishes in many tournaments in New Jersey with his club Millennium Junior Bassmasters.  “We usually fish in freshwater lakes around South Jersey,” he said.  Freeman, on the other hand, fishes strictly for fun.

Catching a big fish is much like hitting the jackpot for a fisherman.  “The adrenalin rush I get after I catch a fish makes me want to catch an even bigger one,” says Mangano.

Both Freeman and Mangano have caught a 4.5 lb. bass.  “I get excited with just thinking about catching a monster,” says Freeman who has also caught a 6 lb. snakehead and fishes for carp, perch, stripers, and bluegills as well.  “As soon as I catch the fish and get it out of the water, I quickly take a picture with it and then throw it back.”

Some could say that fishing is all luck, but it takes skill too, which is why both boys fish almost every weekend year round, and nearly every day once the summer comes.  “My goal for this season is to go back to States with my club,” says Mangano, who is hoping to win another state title.  “My dad helps me fish a lot and so does my uncle.  I’ll never forget the time when my uncle and I both caught a fish at the same exact time. It’s really rare when that happens,” adds Mangano.

Freeman is not interested in fishing in tournaments.  “My goal for this fishing season is to catch a few 5 lb. bass and a 7 lb. snakehead,” he says.  “But no matter what happens, every fishing trip is amazing.”