LTD Bass Camp

Summer 2027 Bass Camps

SAM RAYBURN - July 19 - 23, 2027

TOLEDO BEND - July 26 - 30, 2027

LTD Bass Camp — Growing Anglers, Building Character

We are dedicated to empowering high school students of all skill levels through the sport of bass fishing. Serving students from across the United States, we provide hands-on instruction, mentoring, competitions, boating and water safety education, fish-care training, conservation awareness, and leadership development. Through these experiences, participants advance their fishing skills, learn the value of teamwork and responsibility, develop strong character and leadership, and become informed stewards of our waterways and natural resources.


Core Values

  • Conservation and habitat stewardship
  • Responsible and ethical angling
  • Respect for fish, wildlife, waterways, and other anglers
  • Safety on and around the water
  • Character, integrity, and personal responsibility
  • Perseverance, patience, and resilience
  • Leadership, teamwork, and mentorship
  • Sportsmanship and fair play
  • Humility, gratitude, and respect
  • Access and opportunity for youth
  • Passing knowledge and healthy fisheries to future generations
  • 

Character-Building Goals

LTD Bass Camp will intentionally develop:

  • Integrity: Doing what is right, even when no one is watching
  • Responsibility: Caring for equipment, teammates, fish, and the environment
  • Perseverance: Learning from challenges, mistakes, and unsuccessful days on the water
  • Patience: Understanding that skill and success develop over time
  • Sportsmanship: Competing fairly, encouraging others, and handling success or disappointment with humility
  • Leadership: Setting a positive example and helping younger or less-experienced anglers
  • Teamwork: Communicating, cooperating, and contributing to the group
  • Stewardship: Leaving the water and surrounding areas better than they were found
  • Confidence: Developing skills and self-belief through practice and positive mentorship



Our instructors have all been involved with professional fishing for many years. Our camp is geared towards anglers that want to compete at the high school and/or college level.  We will start with some basics and move you through specific techniques of professional fishing


  • Each angler will have approximately 20 hours on the water
  • You'll learn how to choose tackle & techniques
  • Prepare for a tournament on a lake you've never fished
  • Understand the newest electronics
  • Get Tips & Tricks from the pros
  • Speak with tackle & equipment reps
  • Have an understanding of tournament fishing
  • Compete for cash & prizes in a casting competition
  • Compete for cash & prizes in a team tournament



Who is LTD?

LTD or "Living the Dream" Guide Service is a premier guide service on Toledo Bend. Our guides have been fishing professionally and/or guiding for up to 30 years. Fishing is what they do! Visit our website at www.ltd.fish. We have teamed up with great guides and representatives from top fishing equipment manufacturers to bring a comprehensive class to young anglers. We promise a week of fun learning!!

Toledo Bend & Sam Rayburn

We now host 2 camps every summer, one on Toledo Bend and the other on Sam Rayburn, both lakes being world class fisheries. 

Toledo Bend was named #1 Bass Fishing Lake in the United States in 2015 & 2016 by Bassmaster Magazine and had ranked in the top 10 for many years.. Toledo Bend has made history with the amount of bass that have been caught that weigh over 10 lbs. The reservoir covers 185,000 acres and has over 1100 miles of shoreline.  Sam Rayburn was named #1 Bass Fishing Lake in the United States in 2018 and has also been in the top 10 for many years.

LODGING & COST OF CLINIC

Lodging will be determined after registration is complete depending on the number of participants.  There will be constant supervision.


The price of the 2027 summer camp is $1800.00 and includes all classes, boating activities, tackle, tournament, lodging & meals. Upon registration someone will contact you concerning a deposit of $900.

What you will Learn

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Lure Selection
This class well teach how to determine what type of lure to choose under any given conditions based on weather, body of water, cover & structure.

Worm Fishing
The most consistent lure made for fishing any situation is the worm. Harold Allen will break this down and demonstrate time, place, & application techniques.

Frog Fishing
Frog fishing has become more technical and involved. John Dean will show several varieties of frogs and techniques to use for each one. He will cover seasonal patterns and color selection.

Grass Fishing
Grass is a predominant structure on most southern lakes. The guide will show how largemouth use the grass, how to fish it, and how you can land a big one.

Crankbait Fishing
In depth lesson on crankbaits. We will cover all the different crankbait categories, along with color selection, retrieve techniques, and rod, reel & line selection

Angler Ethics, Attitude & Image
In the world of tournament fishing ethics, attitude and image could make all the difference in how far you go.

Boat Control
In bass fishing, placing your lure where it needs to be is crucial. In order to do that you must be able to use the trolling motor to control the boat. We'll give you some tips & tricks to do just that.

Seasonal Patterns
Determining seasonal patterns is vital in locating & catching bass year round.

Reading Electronics
Understanding your electronics is essential to locating bass. This class will educate the anglers on how to utilize information produced by marine electronics.

Fish Biology & Care
Knowing how to handle and care for the fish is important to all anglers & the lakes they fish.

Knot Tying
How to properly tie the right knot for different fishing techniques.

Classes

Anglers swap around every day so they get a chance to fish with a different guide and co-angler each day.  They will be on the water every day till 1-2 pm, then after lunch and a little rest there will be an afternoon class.  Help is available for pitching and flipping every day.

Competition & Awards

Ace Attitude Award - An award will be given to the angler with the best all around attitude during the clinic.

Pitchin/Flippin Contest - During the week each angler will be individually coached on casting techniques and you'll have multiple chances to practice for the competition.

Most Improved - Our goal is to improve every aspect of fishing for the participants. An award will be given to the most improved during the week.

Team Tournament

On Friday, all anglers will participate in a tournament. The rules are as follows:

1. Two anglers per boat, each will weigh in their own fish.
2. Each angler has approximately 6 hours of fishing time.
3. Anglers must make all decisions concerning fishing.
4. Each angler will be assigned a boat, the boat captain is not allowed to coach anglers.
5. All boats will launch from designated site.
6. Boats must be back for official weigh-in at announced time.
7. Checking in late will be cause for disqualification.
8. There will be a .50 lb penalty for any dead fish.
9. All anglers must possess a Louisiana or Texas fishing license, follow the link on our FAQ page.
10. Life vests must be worn at all times when boat motor is being used.
11. Trolling motors must be controlled by anglers.

Summer Camp Staff

Gloria Thompson - Camp Director
Gloria and her husband own and operate Living the Dream Guide Service. Please contact Gloria if you have any questions concerning the camp at gloria@ltd.fish or call 318-256-8991.


Matt Loetscher
Matt has been fishing on Toledo Bend all of his life. He fished on Louisiana Tech's fishing team for 5 years at which time he traveled around the nation fishing collegiate tournaments on several circuits. Matt knows the ins and outs of collegiate fishing teams & tournament fishing. He posted numerous top 10 finishes, including one FLW win and qualified for the national championships every year of his college career. Matt has won numerous local tournaments and places in the Top 10 regularly.  Matt guides with Living the Dream Guide Service.

Brandon O'Neal

Brandon spends a lot of time of the water bass fishing, he has caught several double digit bass on Toledo Bend.  He has been working with LTD and the bass camp since 2022.


Glenn Freeman

Glen bring decades of experience with tournament fishing.  Just about anyone who has ever ventured to tournament fish on Toledo Bend has been beaten by Glenn at one time or another.  Glenn has helped with the bass camp every year since we started in 2015.


Dusty Anders
Dusty is a long-time tournament angler.  He now strictly guides for a living.  He has also worked with the bass camp since its inception in 2015.