The Program
School fishing teams and youth tournament circuits provide structure and opportunity — but they are limited in how much individualized coaching, technical development, and real-time feedback they can deliver over a season.
As a result, most young anglers improve by fishing more tournaments, accumulating experience, and learning through trial and error. Progress happens—but often unevenly, inefficiently, and more slowly than it needs to.
Elite Angler Academy exists to close that gap.
This is a premium, cohort-based, season-long development program focused on building the skills, judgment, and pattern recognition required to compete consistently at a high level. The emphasis is not on fishing more events, but on learning how and why fish are caught—and how to repeat that success across changing conditions.
Anglers are coached to develop:
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Stronger pattern recognition and seasonal understanding
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Technique selection and application based on conditions
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Boat positioning, angles, and efficiency
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Electronics interpretation
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Decision-making and adjustments when patterns change or break down
These technical skills are reinforced through a deliberate development loop:
Preparation → Execution → Reflection
Preparation establishes a plan and technical focus.
Execution tests those decisions on the water.
Reflection turns outcomes into learning that carries forward.
Over time, this process builds better judgment, stronger consistency, and a deeper understanding of what drives success—not just where fish were caught once.
The emphasis is on deliberate development over the course of a season, not simply more time on the water.
Who It's For
Elite Angler Academy is designed for student anglers who are already engaged in competitive fishing and want to improve through preparation, coaching, and deliberate practice.
This program is a good fit for:
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Student anglers competing on school teams or similar circuits
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Beginner through advanced anglers with competitive goals
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Students willing to prepare outside of on-the-water sessions
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Anglers who are coachable, accountable, and motivated to improve
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Individuals or two-person angler teams fishing together in the same boat
This program is not intended for:
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Recreational-only anglers without competitive goals
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Students unwilling to commit time and effort outside of sessions
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Families looking for unstructured fishing time or casual instruction
How it works
The program is delivered through three integrated components that reinforce one another over the course of the season.
On-the-Water Instruction
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Structured instructional fishing days with defined objectives
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Seasonal pattern identification and adjustment
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Boat positioning, efficiency, and execution
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Time management under tournament conditions
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Electronics interpretation and application (2D, DownScan, SideScan, mapping, forward-facing sonar)
Off-the-Water Preparation
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Pre-fishing planning and lake breakdowns
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Map study and strategy development
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Bait, technique, and equipment preparation
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Assigned video content with note-taking expectations
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Skill work such as rigging, knot tying, and casting practice
Tournament Preparation & Retrospectives
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Pre-event planning calls focused on strategy and decision-making
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Post-event retrospective calls focused on learning and adjustment
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Required written submissions reviewed in advance
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Emphasis on accountability, reflection, and independent thinking
SchedulE
Elite Angler Academy is designed to fit within school, family, and tournament schedules while providing consistent, high-quality instruction.
Program Duration
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Summer session runs May through August
On-the-Water Sessions
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Thirteen (13) instructional sessions across the season
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Instruction takes place on local west metro lakes including Minnetonka, Medicine, Minnewashta, Waconia, Independence, Sarah, Bryant, etc.
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Early season (May ~ June 10) sessions scheduled evenings and weekends to accommodate school schedules
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Summer sessions typically scheduled on weekdays
Expectations
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Students arrive prepared, on time, and ready to participate
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Parents support transportation, scheduling, and preparation
Pricing
Tuition is $4,950 per angler team for the May-August program.
An angler team consists of one or two individuals fishing together in the same boat under a single enrollment.
Tuition includes:
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Thirteen (13) on-the-water instructional sessions
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Six (6) tournament preparation calls
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Six (6) tournament retrospective calls
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Review of required written submissions
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Boat use, fuel, and bait during on-the-water sessions
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Ongoing mentorship and individualized feedback
Payment Schedule
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50% due at enrollment
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Remaining 50% due June 15
Enrollment is intentionally limited to maintain program quality and instructional focus.
Instructor
Elite Angler Academy is led by Matt Cunningham, a Minnesota-born competitive angler, parent, and coach with decades of experience in both tournament fishing and structured mentorship.
I began fishing competitively in my early twenties and won a local bass club championship three consecutive years. After stepping away for a number of years to focus on family and career, I returned to competitive fishing in 2020. Since then, my primary fishing partner has been my son, who has been competing alongside me since age 11.
Together, we have earned multiple tournament wins and top finishes across local and regional events, including youth and open competitions on Minnesota waters and beyond. More importantly, our success has come through preparation, disciplined decision-making, and post-event reflection—the same development habits emphasized throughout Elite Angler Academy.
Outside of fishing, I bring a strong analytical and educational background to the program. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Gustavus Adolphus College and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, and I am a named inventor on two U.S. patents. This background shapes how I approach coaching: thoughtful preparation, clear decision-making, and honest evaluation of results.
I live near Lake Minnetonka with my family, where my wife and I have raised eight children, including five through adoption, and are now grandparents. That perspective informs how I approach coaching, mentorship, and responsibility on the water. We are members of Mound Evangelical Free Church and value integrity, accountability, and respect—on and off the water.
Next Steps
Enrollment in Elite Angler Academy begins with a conversation.
This introductory discussion is used to confirm fit, answer questions, and ensure expectations are aligned for both the angler and their family.
Enrollment is by invitation and closes once capacity is reached.
Fill out the contact form and I'll be in touch