FOMNTT.com
The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail (FOMNTT) is a nonprofit, nondenominational ministry whose mission is to introduce Christ to anglers and their families and to invite them into a relationship with Him, through bass fishing tournaments.
What began in 1998 as a small four-division tournament trail with a total of 21 events through the first season has now grown into one of the largest fishing tournament organizations in the country. Membership and participation are open to anyone without regard to religion, gender, age or race.
Sports Destination Management: How is Fishers of Men doing these days?
Bobby Eads: We’re doing really well. Like everyone else, we’ve had our ups and downs but this year has been very good. Our average number of competitions is up and we’ve expanded into some new areas; additionally, some new local groups have formed so 2025 has been very positive for us.
SDM: How many events do you put on a year?
Eads: Overall, about 360; that includes all our local events – we have an army of volunteers running those – as well as our 17 championships.
SDM: A number of years back, Fishers of Men introduced a high school event. Are you still offering those?
Eads: Yes, our Legacy Series has really become one of our main focuses, because we want to introduce kids to our sport. Family time is part of our ministry.
SDM: Are Legacy events set up with two-person teams, like other tournaments?
Eads: It’s a little different. A Legacy team consists of one adult, meaning a person 18 or older, and one or more junior partners. The rule is that at any given time during the event, only two lines can be in the water. The boat captain is not there to fish; he or she is there to drive the boat. We amended our rules to allow high school teams to participate as well.
SDM: Are the prizes for Legacy events monetary or are they plaques?
Eads: Both, but here is something really great. This year, for the first time, when we present our Legacy Championship, which is going to be held on Jordan Lake in Alabama, one of the junior anglers is going to win an 18-foot Bass Cat boat.
To make it the most level playing field, it is not a tournament prize, meaning it’s not going to the person who wins the tournament; it is going to be awarded to the person whose name we draw. As a tournament director, I can tell you there is nothing more enjoyable than handing new keys to a new boat to a kid. I’m excited about it and I’m not even winning the boat!
SDM: What are the regular team events like?
Eads: The majority of them have two-person teams fishing. In addition to cash prizes, we award two high-end boats.
SDM: Fishers of Men differs from other organizations.
Eads: Yes, we’re a ministry with an inspirational message. All our tournaments are preceded by a meeting.
SDM: What are you looking for in a potential host?
Eads: Lots of different factors; primarily, of course, we’re looking for a body of water with a healthy population of bass. We want housing within a reasonable drive, a boat launch facility able to handle our crowd and a good partnership with a local entity, such as a CVB or an economic development council.
We try to build a great relationship with the host since, at the end of the weekend, we want anglers to go home having had a great time – and to have our hosts want us back. Right now, it’s working; there are a lot of repeat hosts.
SDM: How can people reach you if they are interested in hosting or learning more?
Eads: They can go to our website at www.fomntt.com, or they can also email me at bobeads@fomntt.com. SDM
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