Elite Angler Academy
Matt Cunningham coaching Sierra as they fish side by side from the boat

Private coaching · Twin Cities metro

Serious coaching.
Competitive
student anglers.

Develop the skills, decision-making, and confidence to become a more capable—and more competitive—angler.

More than another day on the water

Learn to make
the next decision.

Serving the Twin Cities metro area.

A different casting angle. A change in depth. A gap in the grass. A shade line. Learning to notice these details opens up new choices—and every choice is a chance to learn, adjust, and improve.

EAA is a coaching program, not a guided fishing trip. Student anglers learn how to find fish, choose presentations, and make their own decisions—with instruction, practice, and feedback throughout the season. The goal is to build skills they can carry into competition and their own boat.

Matt coaching Jackson as he works a fishing rod on the water

The program

Build skills.
Put them to work.

Instruction connects directly to what’s happening on the water, with time to practice and feedback when it matters.

01

Technique & presentations

Refine the cast, understand the presentation, and learn when to change it.

02

Finding fish

Read structure, cover, seasonal patterns, and electronics to make informed choices.

03

Tournament preparation

Develop a plan, make adjustments, and learn from the decisions behind the result.

Included with Full Track

A clear picture of your angler’s progress.

A personalized Student Angler Assessment brings a season of coaching into focus: specific observations, ratings across eight skill areas, and three priorities for continued development.

See a sample assessment
Sample assessment with numbered skill ratings and coach observations

Plan your season

Two ways to commit
to getting better.

2027 coaching · 2.5-hour sessions · Tuition covers one or two anglers

Limited enrollment keeps coaching personal.

Full Track

10 Sessions + Extras

$4,950

A season-long rhythm of coaching, practice, and progression. Includes early access to scheduling.

Explore Full Track

Flex Track

6 Sessions

$2,950

A lighter commitment for families balancing a full summer.

Explore Flex Track

The students behind the progress

Confidence you can see.

Wyatt smiling with his catch

Wyatt

Skills for the tournament.
Confidence beyond it.

“He trusts and respects you, and that has made a tremendous impact.”

Mary · Parent

Read Mary’s story
“The most valuable part of the program has been Wyatt’s confidence, your mentorship, and the relationship you’ve built with him. He trusts and respects you, and that has made a tremendous impact.”

“We thought we were signing Wyatt up for fishing lessons, but what we’ve really received is mentorship. Fishing has become the vehicle for teaching confidence, discipline, perseverance, communication, and character.”

Mary · Parent

Cora and Carter Bowman sharing a catch moment with their dad, Jacob

Cora & Carter

Structured coaching.
Visible progress.

“Coach Matt has put together a structured program that quickly allows anglers to advance while having fun learning.”

Jacob · Parent

Read Jacob’s story

“Throughout the season I have been able to watch my children progress in many ways from presentation of new tactics to breaking down lakes to guidance on how to prefish as well as how to attack tournament day.

“As a parent to multiple tournament anglers, The Elite Angler Academy has been able to teach and advance my children at a pace much faster than I would have been able to do on my own. My children went from finishing mid pack in tournaments to top 10 in tournament of champions in a single season of coaching.”

Jacob · Parent

Prescott and Grady showing their catches together

Grady & Prescott

Learning together.
Competing together.

“As freshman, they won a tournament placing 1st place out of 38 teams. I completely attribute this to Matt Cunningham's training.”

Corey · Parent

Read Corey’s review
“My son, Grady, was selected for an Elite Angler scholarship. He and his high school bass fishing partner fished together with Matt for (13) two-hour sessions. Their learning curve was completely vertical from session 1 through 13. Their knowledge increased by a factor of ten. The timing of the scholarship couldn't have been more perfect since it aligned with their high school tournaments. As freshman, they won a tournament placing 1st place out of 38 teams. I completely attribute this to Matt Cunningham's training. Both boys were very sad when their 13 sessions ended. My son expressed how he will miss Matt. What a great human being and mentor!”

Corey · Parent

Coaches

A coach they trust.
A mentor they look up to.

Matt Cunningham with Cora Bowman on the water

Matt Cunningham

Founder & coach

Matt founded EAA to help competitive student anglers develop through personal instruction, time on the water, and a relationship built over the season.

Learn more about Matt
Trevor Lo holding a bass alongside two student anglers in the boat

Trevor Lo

Coach

Trevor brings guiding and tournament experience to personal coaching, helping student anglers build skills and confidence on the water.

Learn more about Trevor
Matt leading a seminar for the Randolph Reelers fishing team

For teams & coaches

Bring EAA
to your team.

Help your student anglers sharpen their skills and make better tournament decisions with an EAA seminar built around your team’s experience, questions, and goals.

“He came prepared and ready to teach these kids whatever they wanted to learn.”

Chris Greene · Randolph Reelers coach

Learn more about EAA seminars

A place to start

Help your student angler
take their next step.

Practical resources for parents and student anglers.

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.

Start a conversation