Pros and Cons of joining a Bass club

[skekoam]

So, my son and I are fairly new to bass fishing.  We have caught our fair share of bass, but are by no means experienced anglers.  I recently found a local bass club and was thinking about joining.  I understand you don't need a boat and they fish one a month and have meetings a few times a month.  Just curious if bass clubs are the right avenue to learn and get onto better fishing waters or will I be over my head?  

 

Thanks

[Jig Man]

It could go either way.  I learned more in a club than all the rest of my life put together. 

[NHBull]

Its been my experience that you get out what you put in.

 

I learned a lot and met great guys and also met a few that I never want to see again.  It's no different than any club.

 

That said, my positive experiences are greater than the negatives.

 

......plus, what is the downside.....a few $$$$

[Dirtyeggroll]

A bass club is a great way to meet like-minded individuals (related to bass fishing) even if you figure out the club concept isn't right for you. I joined a club and tried hard to participate regularly for about a year. I quickly learned that my schedule is too erratic and that, frankly, tournament fishing just doesn't turn me on. However, I have made some fantastic friends with guys from the club and continue to fish with them on a regular basis. I continue to learn from them.

 

I fully anticipated on being a long-term contributing member of the club from the beginning, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Logan S]

In general, a bass club is a great way to get started in tournaments, fish more, fish new places, learn, and have fun...For relatively low cost.  

 

All clubs are going to be a little different....Some are more competitive, some more laid back - Some will be open to everyone, some are OK staying as a close-knit group - Etc, Etc....

 

Many clubs are affiliated with BASS or FLW (or both) so be aware that you'll need to be a member of those organization in addition to the club if they are.  

 

The best thing to do is attend a club meeting to get a feel for how the group is and if it all looks good to you, jump in.

[skekoam]

28 minutes ago, Logan S said:

In general, a bass club is a great way to get started in tournaments, fish more, fish new places, learn, and have fun...For relatively low cost.  

 

All clubs are going to be a little different....Some are more competitive, some more laid back - Some will be open to everyone, some are OK staying as a close-knit group - Etc, Etc....

 

Many clubs are affiliated with BASS or FLW (or both) so be aware that you'll need to be a member of those organization in addition to the club if they are.  

 

The best thing to do is attend a club meeting to get a feel for how the group is and if it all looks good to you, jump in.

Thanks for the input.  The club master also recommended I attend a meeting to see if I think its a fit.  I don't have any interest in tournaments thought so maybe I need to find something more informal.  I will check out a meeting once Covid clears and let you guys know how it goes. 

[Sam]

Pros - learning about bass fishing from others

Cons - costs involved with dues and tournament pots

[FishTank]

Bass club fishing to me is more fun than tournament fishing.....

 

As far as tournament fishing goes...I enjoy it but it is, in a way, just legalized gambling.  So there is always that one guy that takes it way too seriously but it is fun and I tend to learn a lot by asking myself at the end of the day, "What can I do better next time?"  Another lesson comes in, what to fish and how to fish the conditions given.   And with this little bit of knowledge it can make for a fun day, win or loose. 

[WRB]

It comes down to the club your join. 

Some clubs are a tight nit group unwilling to share anything outside the inner circle.

Other clubs are good and willing share knowledge and help new members.

I can't imagine learning more in a club then on this site.

If you are a good listener and willing to pay your way as a non boater a good club should be a possitive experience. 

Tom

[Scott F]

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

I can't imagine learning more in a club then on this site.

Tom

As much as is discussed on this forum, I learned a LOT more actually fishing with guys in my club, than I have learned here.  If you want a hundred opinions on which rod to buy, or what colors of lures guys like, this is the place to do it. If you want to actually catch fish in the lakes where YOU fish, you won’t find a lot of that here. Fishing with good fisherman on your home waters and seeing in person exactly where the good spots are and what makes those spots better, is what makes a club so good. It’s one thing to read about fishing jerkbaits. It’s another thing to be in a boat watching a guy and seeing him doing it and being successful that ups your ability and confidence.  

[WRB]

Sekoam has posted dozens of Q & A's regarding specific presentations and locations to fish on local So Cal lakes that I have answered in detail without 1 positive reply.

Unless someone takes Sekoam under their wing and tutors him, I can't see how anyone can help more then we have. Thank you goes a long way.

Tom

[Oregon Native]

Hmmmmmm

"Thank You's"

A long lost presentation!!!

[skekoam]

On 7/4/2020 at 10:47 PM, WRB said:

Sekoam has posted dozens of Q & A's regarding specific presentations and locations to fish on local So Cal lakes that I have answered in detail without 1 positive reply.

Unless someone takes Sekoam under their wing and tutors him, I can't see how anyone can help more then we have. Thank you goes a long way.

Tom

Sorry Tom, you are right.  Trust me, I read everything you guys recommend here and try to implement it.  I appreciate all the feedback- Thank you.

[Captain Phil]

Most bass clubs are very competitive.   To get the most out of joining a bass club, you must go about it the right way.  Keep a low profile.  Go as a non boater at first and leave your ego at home. Club tournaments give you a chance to see what others are doing.  Some members will be better than you, some will be worse.  If someone takes you to a "hot spot" don't go back later and camp on it and don't tell your friends.  If you get that reputation, no one will want to fish with you.  Don't be discouraged if you aren't the most popular person in the club.  Let your fish do the talking. Once you gain respect, everyone will want to be your friend.  

 

[skekoam]

8 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Most bass clubs are very competitive.   To get the most out of joining a bass club, you must go about it the right way.  Keep a low profile.  Go as a non boater at first and leave your ego at home. Club tournaments give you a chance to see what others are doing.  Some members will be better than you, some will be worse.  If someone takes you to a "hot spot" don't go back later and camp on it and don't tell your friends.  If you get that reputation, no one will want to fish with you.  Don't be discouraged if you aren't the most popular person in the club.  Let your fish do the talking. Once you gain respect, everyone will want to be your friend.  

 

It sounds like a bass club isn't the right thing for my son and I.  We are already involved in a very competitive sport which takes a lot of time and money.  We are much more cut out fishing on weekends for fun with friends even if it means getting skunked.

[Captain Phil]

There are social bass clubs and there are competitive bass clubs. Most of the clubs I joined were B.A.S.S. Federation Clubs.  Those clubs were very competitive.  Winning "Angler of the Year" in one of those clubs is serious business.  A social bass club is much more laid back.  It's more about being with friends than competitors. You can normally tell what type of club it is by attending one of their meetings. 

 

Fishing with experienced anglers is the best way to learn this sport.  Watching a good angler fish is better than reading about fishing.  At one time, I offered on water personal training classes.  It cost the same as a guide trip.  Most fishing guides are not in that business.  I enjoy teaching, so it worked for me.  

 

Fishing with your son is one of the best ways you and your son can bond.   My son is 50 and he is still fishing. We have fished together since he could hold a rod. It's one of my greatest memories.  

 

 

[Junk Fisherman]

Joining a club is the least expensive way to learn a lot about bass fishing both with techniques and areas to fish.  I fished as a nonboater for a few years and learned quite a bit from the boaters.  I learned a lot of little things like how to run a boat, how to work an area with a trolling motor, strategy, organization, ect.  You learn a lot more being a nonboater since you can observe what each boater does and learn both positives and negatives.  And all you're really doing is just splitting expenses.  It is a great deal IMO for nonboaters.  You get to learn a lot, fish in nice boats, and hopefully make some friends.  

[Columbia Craw]

The first thing I would look at is the club's format.  They may have a TEAM format so participating as a non-boater may be difficult.  If the club has a draw names for non-boaters format, it's a very positive opportunity to learn and fellowship.

[r83srock]

Ive been in several clubs over the years. Ive been tournament fishing for 18 years, so over half my life. I got burnt out of team trails and opens. I do one open a year now, and the local club im in does 8 tournaments, $20 a piece, but I dont need to fish a single one if I dont want to. We are competitive, but we also share alot of information with one another. My dad is in the club as well, and often time we will fish together, even if it means I take the back seat, It doesn’t matter to me. We will strategize as a team, even though our weights go against each other. I get my competitive fix without caring too much or investing in high entry fees. We are a BASS affiliated club, so members are able to climb the federation ladder if they choose. We get some awesome club sponsors and sweet deals on gear from local shops. We also do alot of charity work, highway cleanups, fund raising for all different things. I enjoy the club Im in, but Ive belonged to clubs not so enjoyable and much more cut throat. Ya definitely can learn alot from a good club. 

[Nitrofreak]

I just joined my first bass club this past season as a Co-Angler, there is a lot of information that is shared among the anglers during events, not many speak about techniques nor other aspects about a particular body of water, basically it’s a club where the fees for tournaments and membership fits my wallet size ?

 

I think it’s something that you have to figure out what it is that you want from a club, visit as many as you can to see if they fit your desire, jot down the questions you have, like, are there fees/refunds for missing any of their tournaments, what contributions you may be responsible for, maybe they have Christmas/Holiday socials or possibly a classic style tournament in which they expect a sizable contribution for each, find out what is expected of you monetarily/socially from boaters.

 

I hope you find what you are looking for, it took me a long time to find this fit.

 

 

[MGF]

I recently asked about clubs here but in my own research I found that most seem centered around tournaments. I see the potential value in networking but I don't have any interest in tournaments.

[Boomstick]

On 11/22/2020 at 3:32 PM, MGF said:

I recently asked about clubs here but in my own research I found that most seem centered around tournaments. I see the potential value in networking but I don't have any interest in tournaments.

I might do a few kayak tournaments here and there, this year was too crazy but maybe next year but I largely am not a tournament angler. I just like to go out and fish, learn about the lake I'm fishing and try to catch the most fish / largest fish that I can. It's my peace and relaxation.

[Michigander]

I personally love tournament fishing. Started doing it four years ago and I've grown more as an angler in the last four years than I have in the previous 25 years of fishing. I love the preparation, practice, efficiency, time management, and competition. One of my favorite feelings in the world is when they call my boat's number for launch at the beginning of the event.

 

It's not a cheap hobby though, but I'm grateful to have the means to do it.

[MGF]

9 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I might do a few kayak tournaments here and there, this year was too crazy but maybe next year but I largely am not a tournament angler. I just like to go out and fish, learn about the lake I'm fishing and try to catch the most fish / largest fish that I can. It's my peace and relaxation.

I fished a few tournaments 30+ years ago. I enjoyed it but my fishing is different today.

 

First of all 99% of my fishing is with my wife and she would never fish that way.

 

Second, it's a game that I just can't afford to play.