Posted by CUS on 2002 AM:

Let's Try It Again... What do you like/dislike about bass clubs in general

***I'm only looking for general responses, please don't interpret a persons response as necesarily an attack on how you or your club performs... simply ideas/suggestions on things we like and dislike about bass clubs "IN GENERAL"...***

Being president of a local bass club I'm always looking for ways to make it better.

I'm curious about your opinions of bass clubs (good and bad) and particular what could be done better or what is done poorly.

Some questions of interest to me:

1. Why is the main reason you joined a club (or would consider joining a club)?
a. Why wouldn't you join a club?
b. Has the club met your expectations?

2. What do you like about the club?

3. What didn't you like about the club? How would you suggest making it better?

4. Is affliation with the New York State B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation important to you?

5. If you were to start/run a club what would be the 3 most important issues?

6. What have you heard about clubs that would make you join or not join?

Your suggestions/comments are welcome! I'll even take criticisms (just if you are going to criticize, try to offer a solution(s) as well).

sincerely,

cus

Posted by AKO on 2002 AM:

Cus, you started a great post! I am very sorry that it was deleted! I worked very hard on that post and I believe it was NOT directed towards my club AT ALL! I was very curious to see what other people had to say! If anyone is listening please email me my original post!

Posted by CUS on 2002 AM:

My fault...

AKO,

Sorry... wasn't your post at all...

Cause I'm new, I didn't think to copy all the good posts...

My fault, won't happen again.

cus

Posted by CUS on 2002 AM:

Same to you Bass Rat and others

Guys...

sorry about wiping out your hard work typing!!

Forgive me .... but I am just a "JUNIOR ANGLER"

cus

Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:

Guys, don't blame Cus, I asked him to delete the post and repaste it without the negativity. My comments were general and some were taken the wrong way. My appologies.

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Posted by Paul Mattie on 2002 AM:

Some questions of interest to me:

1. Why is the main reason you joined a club (or would consider joining a club)?

fishing access

a. Why wouldn't you join a club?

no additional fishing oppurtunities

b. Has the club met your expectations?

yes

2. What do you like about the club?

fishing access and working towards a common goal w the other guys

3. What didn't you like about the club? How would you suggest making it better?

not enough participation in the running of the club- let everyone tackle a tough job now and then so they might see actually how difficult some of the things actually are.

4. Is affliation with the New York State B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation important to you?

I won't join a federated club because of the fund raising demands and beacuse you can join NYBASSFED w/out being in a federated club.

5. If you were to start/run a club what would be the 3 most important issues?

Legal liability, fishing access, no fund raising

6. What have you heard about clubs that would make you join or not join?

As in any group of people there will be some BS involved. I hate having to mix fishing with groups.

Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:

Paul, well put. You said in a few words what I couldn't seem to say in a whole post-"not enough participation in the running of the club- let everyone tackle a tough job now and then so they might see actually how difficult some of the things actually are."

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Posted by bink on 2002 PM:

Paul,Legal Liability,geez thats depresing that you rank that as a top three issue for starting a bass club. i do agree that part about EVERYBODY tackle a job now and again in my club of 14 members there are four or maybe five that do all te work while the rest just show up to fish and for the odd meeting. I joined a club to gain friends and access to people with Bass boats so i could go fishing on the big Lakes I dreamed about, I got both of those things. I also got some headaches and have been involved in some Political Bullcrap and bickering nothing more than if i joined any type of club with 14 men from different walks of life . If i were starting a club today my three things would be(in no order) fisherman Compatability,Good ratio of boaters and Non boaters and Sportsmanship, almost on my list Consevation&Enviromental issues(you dont have to be a crusader but involvement would be nice)and responsibility(will a guy stand up and be counted to attened a club sponsered event).

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Posted by CUS on 2002 PM:

Bink and Paul,

Nice posts... that is the information I'm looking for.

Thanks guys!!

Posted by AKO on 2002 PM:

Hawg, EW happens to be a guy that had a lot to do with a thread that went in the wrong direction. Unfortunatly, it wasn't the intent of all interested to go down that road. Nice to see that you were looking for the "fire" but, it would better serve this site if you were to answer the original post that has been re-posted. I look forward to the responses of Cus's original post! BTW, Still a great thread!

Posted by wnybassman on 2002 PM:

1. Why is the main reason you joined a club (or would consider joining a club)?

I joined my first "real" club 5 years ago. I wanted something a little more substantial than the small open tx trail I was fishing at the time

a. Why wouldn't you join a club?

After being in a club for awhile now, I can't think of a good reason NOT to join one. I suppose bickering could be a reason, but I find that takes place in whatever you do in life.

b. Has the club met your expectations?

Yes, the club has gone way beyond my expectations. I learned more than I thought possible (and I thought I knew quite abit when I joined), and not just in fishing

2. What do you like about the club?

I like the club because everyone seems to get along well. Many of our members I can call true friends. We also do alot of information sharing, even before tournaments that we are fishing against each other in. You don't see that in many clubs

3. What didn't you like about the club? How would you suggest making it better?

Can't say I have an answer for these questions

4. Is affliation with the New York State B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation important to you?

A few years back I would have said "Not really", but after being involved with my current club and the Federation, my answer is different. What many people fail to realize, is the potential voice the Federation has in state conservation issues. I say 'potential' because perhaps the voice should be used more, and for that to happen, more people need to get involved

5. If you were to start/run a club what would be the 3 most important issues?

1. Stress the point that we are all at this to have fun. You can be very competitive, and have fun at the same time.
2. Try not to become too large. History has shown, locally, that once a club becomes too big, alot of political bickering goes on, and things aren't fun anymore.
3. Have a relatively short points tx schedule. This allows more people to participate on a regular basis. A long drawn out schedule caters to those with the time and/or money to do so. Many do not.

6. What have you heard about clubs that would make you join or not join?

I would join a club that basically has a good reputation in the local fishing community's "buzz". Likewise, I would not join one with a bad reputation. I know this is pretty general, but by the time a club has a bad reputation, there are probably many issues already at hand

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Posted by CUS on 2002 PM:

Noel,

Fantastic responses... explains why your club was federation's club of the year last year. SOLID LEADERSHIP!

cus

Posted by Fab Five on 2002 PM:

I don't think I would join a club just for access to fishing sites or to someone else's boat. The idea of going to a tournament intrigues me because I've never done it, but that other thread on whether or not a tactic is cheating...if there's a discussion, its probably cheating. Kind of takes the fun out of the sport. Why join a club where some of its members are out to screw the other guys in the club?

Posted by Scott C on 2002 PM:

Andy and Craig,

I have a hard copy of your original posts.

Nick, Dean.....same for you guys.

Of course it means typing out 500 words but I'll do it. Let me know and tomorrow I will e-mail it to you. I owe it to you and CUS. This happens to be a good post.

SC

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Posted by AKO on 2002 PM:

Great Scott, I was hoping to retrieve that! I really worked hard on that post last night. I really thought it was a great thread! I unfortunatly didn't get to see how the thread progressed during the day but, by the looks of things it wasn't too good. I was hoping for some responses. I am curious about other peoples responses! I would guess it would echo some of the sentiments I've shared! I can tell you I was pleased top see that some of the posts were very positive. I do challenge some of them as to what really goes on! I am a bit cynical in my thinking though and think that many people try to say and do what is best for the image of the club! Noble idea except that it is somewhat false. I compare it to saying the water temp is 53 degrees when you are using your depth finder and you depth finder ONLY reads surface temp!

Posted by theole34 on 2002 PM:

i would need a 60 ft probe to check ronko then. lol

robbie

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We're talking about "Spring" fishing...... right?

Posted by AKO on 2002 PM:

Wise Ass! HA!

Posted by wnybassman on 2002 PM:

When it comes right down to it, a club is only what you make of it.

If you want to find fault, there will be fault, no question. If you want to see the postives, they are there to.

My club is a positive, large portion of my life right now, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Who knows, maybe some day I'll see it differently. But until then....

Posted by Dean on 2002 PM:

Hopefully I can remember most of what was in my original post and to save Scott from having to retype it!

Some questions of interest to me:

1. Why is the main reason you joined a club (or would consider joining a club)?

Mainly to meet other fishermen in my area who share the same passion I do for fishing. I also wanted to fish in a competitive environment for several reasons, but mostly to kind of gauge myself with others fishing the same way.

a. Why wouldn't you join a club?

Probably because of some of the b.s. you hear about.

b. Has the club met your expectations?

Yes, I am in two clubs, one I only fished on a limited basis, but both meet my expectations. Outcast Bass Anglers I fish regularly and it has exceeded my expectations.

2. What do you like about the club?

There is very little b.s. in Outcast. Each guy in the club would give you the shirt off their back if that's what was needed. I have met guys who will be friends for life, whether or not I remain in this club. I now have several very good friends and a best friend.

There is a good deal of sharing information on tactics and techniques, baits, etc. Even when you are fishing in this competitive setting I have on more than one occasion had others give me good info. that turned a bad day into one that was salvaged. Guys are very good about that even though they are not expected to be. Everyone wants everyone else to catch fish.

We have an excellent executive committee and tournament committee in place. These guys are the heart and soul of the club. Guys work hard to make it a good club.

I also like the fact that our yearly dues are low. and tournament fees are minimal. It isn't about the money and maybe that helps keep some of the not so important things out of the equation. It also makes it a little easier for me to fish the tournaments.

3. What didn't you like about the club? How would you suggest making it better?

Can't really say much here. Maybe the occasional guy not pulling his weight when maybe there is something that needs to be done.

4. Is affliation with the New York State B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation important to you?

Not particularly. I understand that there are alot of things that come with being BASS affiliated along with what others have mentioned on cheap insurance. If guys don't want to go for that I'm fine with it.
I also know that if I want to join the state fed, I can do that on my own through NONE.

5. If you were to start/run a club what would be the 3 most important issues?

Good leadership
Keep the membership relative small
Have a good set of well thought out and enforceable rules

6. What have you heard about clubs that would make you join or not join?

I agree with Noel. I can't think of too many reasons not too join except for maybe the bs aspect. I think there are tons of positives to be had if you enjoy the competive fishing. It's not for everyone, unfortunately I don't know of any bass fishing clubs that just go out and fish, not on a competitive basis.

Your suggestions/comments are welcome! I'll even take criticisms (just if you are going to criticize, try to offer a solution(s) as well).

Posted by Paul Mattie on 2002 AM:

NY Federation

Guys-

Please don't get the idea that my comments about the NYFed are in any way negative towards them. They have/are a great organization of which I happen to be a member.

I don't fish the NY circuit, but that doesn't mean it might not be the perfect thing for you.

Paul Mattie

Posted by Scully on 2002 AM:

good post

Let me prefice this by saying "I am an organizational type of guy"....I like organizations period. I like the comeraderie they offer and the fun that is usually inherent in them.

I am the president of Atlantic Bassmasters here on Long Island. I am also the president of the Alliance of Bass Clubs, incompassing 8 clubs and over 200 members.

I joined my first bass club in 1986. I was a member there for two years and was very dissatisfied with the "clique" mentality that I witnessed. If you looked in someones boat, you took the chance of having your head handed to you. Even though I was a competent fisherman already, I wanted to learn more about bass fishing from those I thought would be in the know. I discovered all too quickly that those in the know would prefer to keep their information to themselves. It was then I decided to start my own club.

There were 6 of us who started the club in 1989. There are 3 of us still left although there are now 50 members in the club. In my journey I have discovered that all clubs are not created equal. Some are very competitive and secretive, others are more politically active and some are a combination of the two. To increase the size and the scope of my club I studied what I believed to be the faults of other clubs. I tried to improve what our club had to offer every year.

Atlantic Bassmasters has grown each year it has been in existence because we stive to make it a user friendly club. In 1995 I asked a number of members from different clubs throughout the northeast what they hated most about their clubs. OVERWELMINGLY they answered.....we dont like fishing aginst the guy in the front or the back of the boat. In 1996 our club went to ALL team tournaments. We have since doubled our membership as a result of this change. While most other clubs (I have been told) have trouble recruiting new members, we have been turning them away. (50 is our max)

Club fishing is not for everyone. Some people like it and others dont. One of my best friends who helped start our club as one of its charter members left after the third year because he couldnt stand how nervous he became during tournaments. He became physically ill. This is and was one of the best fisherman I have ever been around and tournament fishing just wasnt for him.

There is plenty of BS in any club. Thats why its a club. All organizations have BS....it comes with the territory. You may think there is no BS in your club, but your wrong. Its there, you just havent heard about it yet...lol There is no way to avoid it. Put 50 diverse personalitys in a room and your bound to have BS. You just need to rise above that. Sometimes you just want to throw your hands up in disgust and say the hell with it. Most of the time however thats not the case. If you want to learn how to bass fish there is no better or quicker way to learn than a club.

In our club the by laws read....Our Purpose as a club is..."To improve our bass fishing skills through a friendly exchange of techniques and ideas, and to cooperate in unison as a TEAM for the general good and welfare for the club and its membership. Failure to embrace this TEAM concept of the chapter by either holding back or refusing to share information with a fellow chapter member will be dealt with swiftly and decisivley. In other words.....your history. As a club, you need to teach to improve. The more your club learns, the stronger it becomes and the more your members spread the word...come to Atlantic.

The way to make a club better is to arrive at and impliment new and exciting ideas. Dont become stale or predictable. I have learned over the years that guys like being recognized. We have tried to make Atlantic Bassmasters like the B.A.S.S. tour....Let me state how.

1st. There is the "GRAND SLAM". This consists of 4 Events...
a. The Open....a 2 day event in the spring
b. The Masters...a 2 day event in the summer
c. The Classic....a 2 day event at seasons end
d. The T.O.C.....or Tournament of Champions
No one has ever won the GRAND SLAM....We give individual awrds for these events and we refer to them as the clubs "Major Events".

2nd. There is the "TRIPLE CROWN".
a. Classic Champion
b. T.O.C. Champion
c. Angler of The Year.
NO one has ever won that title either.

3rd. Our other events all have names such as
a. Double Trouble, a night tournament with 2 weigh-ins.
b. Midnite Madness, a night tournament that begins at 6 and ends the next morning at 6
c. Cabin Fever
d. The Mug

4th. We have a Team Championship that you have to qualify for from 5 "selected events".

5th. We have a Mr. Bass Award and a Mr. Smallmouth Award.

The object is to keep things fresh, make it intereseting. Try to have something for everyone. We know its impossible for most members to make all the tournament dates. Therefore, we hold 11 tournaments but count only eight in the yearly standings. We allow you to drop three events. THIS has gone over very well with the membership and made it more competitive. I forgot to mention that while we fish TEAM only events, the boat is fishing for one five fish limit. ANOTHER factor that the membership is in love with. Even the newest members can expect to have some success.

Statistics will bare this out. When we fished as individuals, the field seemed to decrease after say mid year. By this time half of the field had been eliminated from contention, and had found other things to do with their time. Since our change over to team events and one five fish limit we have noticed there is not a drop off in participation. Now our Angler of The Year race goes right down to the last event.

As far as belonging to a Federation....At present we belong to the NY State Federation, a very well run organization. While there are 50 members in my club, only 8 of us belong to that Federation. Each year we speak to ALL our members about joining the Federation, but the overall consensus is that they would not derive any plus from becoming a member. They are thoroughly content with fishing the club trail and the "Alliance of Bass Clubs." If I tried to force, or require that you had to be a member of the Fedreation to belong to Atlantic, I would be left with 8 members. The overall consensus of most of the clubs I have spoken to on Long Island believe....the Federation does not address the needs of the club in general, only those of the individual. I happen to agree.

The three most important things you need when starting a club is
1. Good Leadership
2. An open mind
3. A fair and inforcable set of by-laws and fishing regulations.

Scully

Posted by AKO on 2002 AM:

quote:

There is plenty of BS in any club. Thats why its a club. All organizations have BS....it comes with the territory. You may think there is no BS in your club, but your wrong. Its there, you just havent heard about it yet...lol There is no way to avoid it. Put 50 diverse personalitys in a room and your bound to have BS.

My point excactly! You just must weigh out the pros and cons, then make the decision if it is for you or not! I had a brief e-mail convo. with a NYBASS member(Club Member) and he insisted that there wasn't bs in his club and a few other clubs as well. Scully, thanks for clearing those things in my mind! I am sure your organizational skills helps tremendously in your club setting! Your mission is excellent as well! A model for ALL!

Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 AM:

Scully

Great post. Thanks for sharing that info. Very good concepts.

__________________
bass,bass,baby!

Posted by Scott C on 2002 AM:

When I grow up I want to be like Scully !

Excellent ideas.......

Thank you for the education.

SC

__________________
Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?

Spawn till you die
ESBA

Posted by Seth V on 2002 AM:

WNYBassman said it all....

I agree with what WNYBassman said about clubs. For me, a club is both a great way to meet fellow fishermen, and too learn a ton! I moved to NY about a year ago now, and one of my first objectives was to find a local bass club. Things I looked for:

1. Quality of fishermen. I want to be fishing with the best local talent that I can. Sure, it is harder to win or make the top 6, but you will never get better if you always win. STBM won the state top 6 the year before I joined...got my attention.

2. How well does the club get along? If I hear bickering or arguments at a meeting or weigh-in, that is a bad sign. Life is too short, and why argue over $200 bucks anyway. If ya need money that bad, get a job.

3. I needed the Tx to be on Saturdays, so I could go to church Sundays.

4. Must be State Federation. By joining the Federation you are supporting a larger voice that helps with everything from environmental concernes to DEC regulations.

And hey, with a prez like Noel, who can go wrong??!!??

Seth V

Posted by CUS on 2002 AM:

GREAT STUFF... Keep it coming

Scully very good feedback and useful information.

THANKS!!

cus

Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:

Scullman, your realize......

.....that you are the God of LI Clubs, The Triton of Southern NY Organized Bassfishing, The Grandaddy of all that is good about Tournaments. I have printed out your response and I will use the info provided with your permission of course. I like your tournament set up. We ran a half season team structure and a half season of singles events. The team events were so much better that, next season, we will do only team tournaments. They got more over all participation as well.
We will also mix the times schedule up and do some afternoon or night events to keep it fresh. As a first year club, we had only one fish killed this season. I wanted to strive for minimal bass mortality and I didn't think that we would have been as good as we were at keeping fish alive. We averaged it out to be less than .60 of a percent which is amazing considering B.A.S.S. accepts 10% mortality as normal. As far as your assessment on BS, I feel you are right on. We set out to eliminate things like that and for the most part we did. There is always an issue or to that slips through. We deal with it. It is important to point out that little BS issues are inherant to all organizations. It is impossible to keep everybody happy 100% of the time. We seemed to limit the problems and this was done first with taking the emphasis off of competition and money. Sure, everyone shows up with their gameplan and a shot to win every event, but we don't beat each other down or talk trash. As a fledgling club, we attracted a lot of positve public interest and response to what we did this year. Our members are all eager to learn and gracious towards each other. We haven't had a fistfight at a weigh in and I know we won't. Our guys have accepted our structure as far as events go and things run themselves because of it. I get a good feeling after a weigh-in, win or not. To know that we started this up on a whim and experienced the success we have is amazing. I look to clubs like Atlantic and LIB as role models for us to pick and choose ideas and impliment them for our own success.

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Posted by Scott C on 2002 AM:

Well said Craig.

__________________
Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?

Spawn till you die
ESBA

Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 AM:

1) Main reason I joined a club.
To fish competitively. To find other people who share
my passion. To fish from a real bass boat on larger
bodies of water. (where else can you spend a full day
on a bass boat fishing a premier bass lake for $6)

My club has met and exceeded all expectations.

2) What do you like about the club ?
The people I've met and grown to know. The
competition. the whole tournament experience.
Traveling to new waters. Monthly meetings.

3) What dont I like about this club ?
Not much. The limited BS involved has to be expected
whenever you get a group of 25 men together. But it
has been very limited.

4) Affiliation with BASS important ?

No
5) If you were to start/run a club what would be the 3
most important issues ?

Have somebody with good organizational skills take
charge and do all the work....while I fish.

I have to say that my experience with Outcast Bass
Anglers has been nothing less than Great. The whole
club set up from elections, meetings, tournaments,
family picnic, awards and most of all fishing has been
an exceptional experience.

I would highly reccomend joining an established club
to anyone considering it.

I have gotten so much positive out of this experience.
I've met & fished with many men that I would otherwise not had the oppertunity to. I have fished on many differant boats. I have fished waters in NY, NJ, CT, Pa & VT. I have learned more in 4 years than I ever thought possible.

I would reccomend fishing in a club to "ANYONE" who likes to bass fish.
I don't see how the possiblity of dealing with BS could deter you. The BS is so limited & if you don't feed it ,it dies.
For instance, say you don't want to compete all year or be competetive at all. A none boater can join our club for $30 first year & $25 every year after and fish a tournament on a fully rigged bass boat with an experienced guide (partner) on a great body of water for $6 plus half the expences (which usually amount to $25. Even if you did this once a year, That's an 8 hour day on the water with guide for$56. No brainer right?
Now if you're a boater- you get to go fishing in your own craft on a beautiful body of water with the peice of mind that if you have any trouble on the road, at the launch on the water or at all, there is help in the form of 20 other guys looking out for you. You don't show up at the weigh, we go looking for you. You're not alone. So unless your a total recluse or anti social type, what are the good points not to?

Just MOHO-

Nick

P.S.- If let the possibility of dealing with bullsh#t stop us from doing stuff-what exactly would we do?

__________________
bass,bass,baby!

Posted by CUS on 2002 PM:

Summary So Far

All,

Want to say I’ve enjoyed this thread so far and hope that it continues…

So Far in Summary:

Why people join a bass club:
1. LEARNING
2. COMPETITION
3. FRIENDSHIP/COMRADARIE
4. ACCESS TO WATER/BOATS

The overwhelming reason people wouldn’t join a club or what they dislike about a club is the bickering/arguing. Some are also displeased that a select few do the majority of the work.

We’ve had a variety of responses about what is considered important to starting/running a bass club:

1. Leadership was brought up twice directly, once indirectly (wnybassman said stress fun which I take as coming from leadership)
2. Fair and enforceable by-laws and tournament rules was brought up twice
3. Keep membership size smaller was also brought up twice
4. Open mindedness
5. Shorter points tournament season
6. Legal liability
7. No fund raisers
8. Fishing Access
9. Find guys who are organized to run it, while they fish (brought up twice on deleted post).

Membership with NYSBCF was split. Those that were for it, see the NYSBCF as a way to get their collective voices heard on environmental, conservation, and political issues that impact sportsmen and women throughout the state. Also they wanted to take advantage of the insurance benefits. Those that didn’t want to join basically felt the federation imposed requirements on them, ie. fund raising, or gave no reason as to why. *** NOTE: Just to let you all know, there are no mandatory fund raising requirements imposed by the NYSBCF. It is all strictly voluntary. *** I'M NOT SAYING THAT YOU SHOULD JOIN THE FEDERATION (so don't let this get anybody off topic), JUST STATING A FACT.

I’m going to wait to hear a few more comments then I’d like to give you my take on the subject of bass clubs.

Again, FANTASTIC stuff….

cus

Posted by CUS on 2002 PM:

My take (its long and not totally complete)

Basically I don’t have much to add in the way of why I joined a bass club: I did it to learn better and different ways to catch bass, to have fun, and to get a little competition.

What I disliked about the club: Didn’t learn as much as I wanted. Don’t get me wrong, learned more in that first season than I had in 10 years of reading magazines/books or watching fishing shows. The overall membership at the time had a poor attitude (with a great deal of bickering, believe the treasurer resigned in a huff after an “incident”, etc..). Also the guys who did well didn’t want to share any information (or when they did share it was basically garbage). Seemed that those guys wanted the club to be about prize money (no matter how little it was).

My suggestions for how to make it better come from my 3 keys to running a bass club (some of you have touched on basically all of them already).

1. Develop a mission statement for your club – what this means is understand the current membership’s desires, objectives, and goals for your club (or if you are forming a club what you want the club to be). This mission statement needs to be the driving force for all the club’s wants and should give the club members a focus. For example: I had a vision of what a bass club should be when I joined and my ideal club’s main focus is LEARNING, anything and everything else is secondary. You club’s ideal focus may be competition, so you set your mission statement to meet that goal. The point is whatever you want the club to be, set the mission statement to meet that. It basically tells your existing members (and any new members what you are about).
2. Strong Officers (Leadership): This does not mean you have to be little Hitler’s running around. What strong leaders are to me is a group that completely understands, embraces, and preaches the club’s mission and sees that the core values are enforced in any and all club undertakings. They lead by example and they must LISTEN to the membership. If something is successful give credit to the membership, if something fails or there is a problem: take the blame (or at least diffuse it). Work together to keep things running smoothly and in as timely a fashion as possible.
3. Fair and enforceable club by-laws and tournament rules. These need to documented and every member should have a copy of them. In fact we typically review the by-laws and/or tournament rules every year. To see if any possible amendments are needed.

Many of you have touched on several key issues:

BS is going to exist no matter what, the goal is to limit it. You can’t put 60 guys into a room and expect everyone to be happy with all decisions. You need to try to meet the majority. Doesn’t mean you have to dismiss the unhappy individual(s). Instead put the onus of change on them… especially during times of election. Remind everyone that this is their club, that if they are un-happy they need to do something about it. If they want to take the approach of “I JUST WANT TO FISH” then they really have nothing to complain about.

Open minded membership. I attribute our club’s mindset to the other officer’s direction and example. I’m the first to say as president, I have the easiest job. Vice President/Secretary, Tournament Director, and Treasurer: these are the people that make a club run.

Volunteers: You will always have certain members that volunteer to help out more than others. But that doesn’t mean other members don’t care. Our club has a booth at the NYS Sports Show every year. And it fills me with utmost pride that I actually have to turn down volunteers to be at the booth.

Tournaments: We hold 6 tournaments a year (that are scheduled around the NYSBCF). We have no minimum requirements. However, if an angler wants to make our Club Team (to represent the club at the NYSBCF Club Team Event), they have to fish in at least 4 tournaments because we drop two of the 6. This promotes a family aspect in our club. Many times something will come up that conflicts with a TX date. Instead of an angler being out of the Angler of the Year hunt they can use that as a drop.

Learning: The best learning we offer is “INTERACTIVE”. By fishing a draw partner format, you have the opportunity to be paired with 6 different anglers throughout the year. This give you first hand opportunity to observe and ask questions (and they can of you) into their approach to fishing. I like to throw crankbaits in 20’ of water, you like to flip jig/pig in 1’ or less. Both are different styles and we can ask questions and see first hand if they are successful or not. How many times have your read an article “HOW TO THROW THE SENKO JIG” went out to try it, didn’t catch a fish in the first 20 minutes and gave up on it. Well, what if you could fish in the boat with Pat X, see him rig it, throw it, what type of water, ask him questions… DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE BETTER THAN READING ABOUT IT?

Not that everybody you’ll fish with is a PAT X… but if you approach it that everybody has something to “teach” you and you have something to teach them, you may be surprised at how much you accidentally learn.

Besides the interactive approach, we have during the slower months, guys we consider "experts" with various techniques explain those techniques in greater detail during a 15-20 min. presentation.

I’m sure I’ll throw more little tidbits out there as I think about them….

Good fishing…

cus

Posted by AKO on 2002 PM:

quote:

would reccomend fishing in a club to "ANYONE" who likes to bass fish.

quote:

I don't see how the possiblity of dealing with BS could deter you.

Really? Nick, I have never in my life experienced BS while, "in class"! Never! If you mean to tell me that bs and fishing mix...well... we are definitely after a "different" species , you and I that is!

Posted by Scott C on 2002 PM:

To quote Nicky Pasta Fazool with regard to BS.................

quote:

if you don't feed it ,it dies.

We can all learn from this simple phrase....

I did.

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Posted by BARRY on 2002 PM:

Nicky Pasta Fazool (faglioi)
Great name for him.
Barry

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Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 PM:

quote:

Originally posted by AKO
Really? Nick, I have never in my life experienced BS while, "in class"! Never! If you mean to tell me that bs and fishing mix...well... we are definitely after a "different" species , you and I that is!

AKO, What is "in class"? And do you usually avoid any situation where BS may arise? Even if it means missing out on something you enjoy? If I did I wouldn't have gotten married, had children, started my own buisness, or have any freinds.

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Posted by AKO on 2002 PM:

Bottom line.... fishing is enjoyable situation to me... I never mix BS and fishing. Don't have the time nor the desire to ruin one of ther most important parts of my life...Fishing! Some must believe that bs is a part of fishing or maybe believe it is the price you must pay...well...sad! To compare work, family, children to fishing is plain ol' silly! You know better! Come spend a day on the water with me... I'll show you some bs....NOT! You can stand on your head trying to convince me that in order to enjoy what I am so passionate about, I must endure a little bs... no way! NA AH Nope! Nick... again please do not missinterpret my sentiments... I am not bashing club or TX fishing at all. I just do not believe that bullshit and fishing mix in my life at all! Will avoid it like the plague! To answer your question, I always refer to being on the water as, "in class" Just a phrase I use! As far as my friends go, they NEVER give me BS... that's why they're my friends! I don't bs, they don't bs, works GREAT!

Posted by Dean on 2002 PM:

quote:

We can all learn from this simple phrase....

If it were only that easy Scott!

Posted by HugeFish4 on 2002 PM:

The one thing I hate about Bass Clubs is the proliferation of Senkos. LOL!

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Posted by CUS on 2002 AM:

Hugefish4,

There was some definite Senko proliferation going on at our club's meeting last night.

You would of liked our club's tournament recap last night.... we had two tournaments to go over... Out of the top 5 finishers at each tournament Senko's accounted for all or some of their weight for about 90% of the guys.

You may hate Senkos, but I look at them as another tool. My preference is a jig/pig or a tube bite, but you can't force feed fish. You got to "use the tools" (do the OB1-Kanobe voice from Star Wars).

Many times those do-nothing cigar shaped turds catch fish when nothing else will.

cus

Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 AM:

quote:

Originally posted by CUS

Many times those do-nothing cigar shaped turds catch fish when nothing else will.

cus

AMEN

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Posted by HugeFish4 on 2002 AM:

Something about men casting mis-shapen dildos scares me! But hey, to each his own! LOL!

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Posted by CUS on 2002 AM:

That is hilarious!!

cus

Posted by Scott C on 2002 AM:

Dean,

Unfortunately we are all probably guilty of feeding the BS monster at some point in our lives or another. We are all human.
It is not always easy to refrain from actions that will result in proliferation of BS. If we learn and understand what can potentially cause BS then we can either prevent it from happining with fair, rational behavior or we can stop it mid stream by listening to the cause and working toward a mutually agreeable solution. People have to be open to compromise of course in order for this to be successful. BS is part of life though and if handled properly it can be eliminated or kept to a tolerable minimum.
Human nature is something we all need to be better stundents of.

Andy.....I have only seen you use that "in class" phrase since last week............should we start calling you Grasshopper ?????

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Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 AM:

Dr.Fraude

quote:

Originally posted by HugeFish4
Something about men casting mis-shapen dildos scares me! But hey, to each his own! LOL!

He Huge, What do you call that thing that you attach your reel to? hmmmmmmm

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Posted by HugeFish4 on 2002 AM:

Rat, I call it a casting device. Why, what do you call it???

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Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 AM:

Oh...........................OK............

LOL

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Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:

Nick were you looking for him to say a long extension of his penis?

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Posted by Scully on 2002 AM:

I understand

AKO

I read your post and I must say....your right BS doesnt belong in fishing. I enjoy kicking back and fishing just for the sake of fishing. I have been doing it since I could walk. Besides fishing, at one time I was a very competitive athlete who played every game and then some. My X wife once told me that if there was a game called "underwater sneaker" I would find a way to play it.
She was right.

About the time I turned 40, my legs were in such poor shape that it was difficult to play competitive sports anymore. I discovered much to my "horror" that I was addicted to the thrill of compettition. A bass club and the tournaments they provide are very competitive. It was a way to keep getting my fix and to have some fun doing it. There are a lot of guys like me out there who will gladly wade through the BS to take a drink from that cup.

One of the draw backs about NOT being a member of a club is that you limit your ability as a fisherman. There is NO better way to learn about bass fishing than by being in a club. All the books, videos etc, dont mean a hill of beans. You learn from 50 peers, up-front and personal. The tournament atmosphere of a club FORCES you to think more about the whys & the hows then if you were just out for a day of chuck and wind. (as in to reel in...lol)

The club experience is what YOU make it. Its not for everyone, but if I never ate lima beans, I wouldnt know if I liked them. I dont!

Scully

Posted by AKO on 2002 PM:

quote:

Andy.....I have only seen you use that "in class" phrase since last week............should we start calling you Grasshopper ?????

I've been called worse!
Scully, I agree with you completely! I resisted fishing in a club for a while and I even got my feet wet fishing in a couple of local Tx's last year. I faired fairly well and besides winning a couple of $$ I wasn't fond of the ticking clock in my head! The $$ and the recognition of doing well just didn't really "hook" me! I experienced, while in competition, a few a-holes that wanted to share in my pattern. They might as well steped right into my boat! My partner had a few words w/ him and the guy left! I then asked my partner if this happens often and he said, "ALL the time, also w/ the same guy!" I really didn't understand why anyone would do that but... what the hell did I care! I was his guest and not a member of his club! I did think that the guy was definitely encroaching. That Tx, I had great conversation with my partner and I am STILL very good friends w/ him but, I did well because of all the time I put on the water. I also went to a few of his clubs monthly meetings and all I experienced was a bunch of bitching(there goes that word again)! There were arguments about start time, ending times, encroachment, what was being done with club funds in fact, all the time the president and VP were laughing in the front of the room! I know I don't paint a pretty picture but, THIS WAS MY EXPERIENCE! I sat back and watched and made a decision not to be involved with a sitaution like that. Do you blame me? I have been involved with this post for the last week and I still laugh @ peoples blatant refusal to accept reality. Not in my club! We don't do that here! Oh it's is so minimal! Scully, you were one of the most honest people here in regards to what REALLY happens in your club and again.. Nick... all clubs! Certainly doesn't make your club a bad one or Nicks club as well, or EEBA for that matter. I have been saying this one sentiment all along... For some people, the pros of fishing in a club well worth putting up with the BS that is inherrant in ALL clubs! At this point it doesn't match my needs! Scully, Thank you for your honesty and more importantly.. all the knowledge that you SHARE with us!

Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 PM:

Andy, Here's a concept you just don't grasp-"You could be Wrong!"

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Posted by AKO on 2002 PM:

quote:

There is very little b.s. in Outcast.

That was taken from Deans post!
Is he in your club? Or are we going to say, F-Dean! Doesn't take an intelligent person to interpret what has been said! Oh btw, no I won't humor you! Sorry Again, no slight on your club or anyone elses!

Posted by wnybassman on 2002 PM:

Andy,

Encroachment DOES happen almost all the time. It is part of the game for the most part. If tx fishing is in your blood, then you have to get used to fishing in a crowd sometimes. Serious cases, however, should be reported to the tx director though. Best way to handle it, IMO, is to get good enough where it doesn't matter if they horn in on you or not. Guys that practice encroacment generally are not the better anglers anyway.

Not sure of the club you attended the meeting (I do not need to know either), but it sounds like their rules and regulations don't amount to a hill of beans. Arguing about start/end times??? What, they don't have guidelines they follow year after year?

It is unfortunate that your club experiences have been on the poor side. Trust me though, there ARE better ones out there.

Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:

I am not sure I agree with you Noel. We fished some small bodies of water this season and encroachment was not a factor. 22 guys on a 60 acre lake in one event and it wasn't an issue. I'm sure it happens at times but that is one complaint we did not field this season.

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Posted by bink on 2002 PM:

Ew, it strikes me dumbfounded you had 22 anglers in a 60 acre lake was that for a tournament? My club and several others i talk with have size limits that would make that small lake off limits most have 350 or 400 acre limits. i think in the state of Maine you need something like 50 acres a participant to get a permit to hold a T. Just wondering.

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Posted by Scully on 2002 PM:

I will answer

Bink

Here on Long Island, the largest body of water is Lake Ronkonkoma which is 192 acres. There are many smaller bodies of water, mostly in Suffolk County. You are PROHIBITED from using a gas motor on any of the ponds, lakes or streams of Long Island. Earthworms club along with two other clubs, hold "small boat tournaments". These are mostly 12 & 14 foot john boats powered by electric motors. Thats how I started. It was LOTS of fun.

Scully

Posted by joe pido on 2002 PM:

open tx, Bink

and I believe Craig was referring to the Memorial tx that was held at Swan Lake. It wasnt a official club tx.

And it was crowded!!!...lol....smelled Nick when he took his shirt off....

joe

Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 PM:

Yep, Joe, the open was what I was referring to. All those guys, and some not even members of our club or familiar with our rules and there were no problems. Thanks Scull, I was going to have to explain that.

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Posted by smallmouth sean on 2002 AM:

Cus, The one thing that bothers me the most is the launch ramp senario.
Public launches and fisherman that use them should get a little respect. Numerous times this year I went to the south shore ramps only to find out that another bass club had totally taken over all 4 launches. Leaving the weekend anglers high and dry !
Time to have a little control. Have 2 ramps for the tourny and 2 for the "average"fisherman. It's not good when you hear guys saying"they'll probably slash our trailer tires when we're out" and "they can wait for us to launch".
Oneida is getting a lot of pressure these days. Let's keep the pressure on the water not in our veins. It's going to get ugly if you know what I mean.
Sean

Posted by bink on 2002 AM:

SS, In my club we ALWAYS let the public/weekend angler go first but sometimes the Public/weekend angler is slow or clumsy at the loading/unloading process and they get frustrated when a Pontoon boat is holding up the ramp because the owner has done nothing untill he puts it in the water sometimes it is amazing how fast my club of 6-8 boats can get in the water and out of the way. One thing that can make the whole In and Out process better is help out the guy who is new to backing in his boat or the guy who is with his wife and she has no idea how to do anything.

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Posted by theole34 on 2002 AM:

with the small boat tx's we have a rule that all participants stay until the laast boat is out. all participants help pull out and load boats. esp barry's ! that usually goes well.

that tx with 22 guys on a 60 acre lake went quite well. no problems of encroachment. 10 - 14' boats.. elec only.

we caught some decent fish that day too.

4.8
4.2
4.0

the small lakes are a blast.

we had several guys that had never fished with us befor.. boaters and non-boaters. it was a team tournament for prizes. thanks to some great suppliers here on nybass. we all helped in and out, and all participants honored all rules.

one group even released all of their fish prior to weigh in and DNW because of a livewell problem. environmentally correct, and a good choice. they had at least a 3rd place bag.

i have also had teams move off a spot they knew i was interested in, and have fished side by side w mike d in a tx... while on fish. i think this was a strong point in our club. we had a good rapport on the water. craig d giving my dad the bait that was working for him one day. lending nets and bags. tackle exchanges on the water, and at the ramp.

hey-
good job guys!!

i like all the positives i hear for atlantic, and outcast as well. noels crew sounds solid also. i know woodrow is happy in his club in NJ as well.

nice to see.

robbie

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Posted by Scott C on 2002 AM:

We have even taken pictures of guys fish on another boat during the TX .... pulled up to chat with a few guys, share patterns, swap baits, towed guys in, etc. I think encroachment was the last thing on anybody's mind.... Even had people ask if we were going to a particular spot so we wouldnt end up racing each other there....(Robbie)............... what is really fun and comical is the "blast off" at the start of a tx.....we try so hard to be serious sometimes but its really funny to watch 6 or so boats all leave at the same time with their electric motors wide open !!! HOLD YOUR HATS BOYS !

I love it.....if it was any different it wouldnt be fun.

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Posted by theole34 on 2002 AM:

quote:

Even had people ask if we were going to a particular spot so we wouldnt end up racing each other there....(Robbie)...............

you fished it. good fish and left.. i fished it. good fish and left.

joe fished it for 5 mins and bagged a 5lbr.

it always works out for someone. that spot is consistent. 2lbr 2lbr 2lbr 2lbr ........... monster.

robbie

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Posted by smallmouth sean on 2002 PM:

Bink- At 5:30-6:00 in the morning you never see the poor sole trying to put in his pontoon boat.
I'm talking about pulling up to the ramp and seeing 30-40 rigs still in line blocking the whole show! If you are going to have a tournament get the boats afloat and let's go!Don't play games and shoot the sh-t about the big one that got away the week before.
I know what you mean when it's about 12-2:00 though.Pleasure boats all over the place without a clue on how to back up a trailer let alone float the boat once they get it there.
my opinion

Posted by bink on 2002 PM:

You're right of course SS there are no Pontoon boats unloading at 5:30/6:00 am in the afternoon of course is another matter. I find most Bass clubs and even causual fisherman get on the water at first light and are either tied up off to the side or out on the water before the pleasure boaters even get to the ramp.

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