Acceptance of Teenagers in Bass Clubs (Age Limits)

[Skeeter_Bo]

I've always fished for fun, I think I've fished all of two tournaments as long as I have been fishing but my 13 year old son is very interested in fishing tournaments.  Of course I think it has a lot to do with him just finishing Michael Icanol?? "Ike's" new book.  I would love for me and him to get involved with a club and fish some tournaments.  He is a very good fisherman for his age, in fact he caught two trophies this year - a 7lb Largemouth and a 5lb Spot.  We have a 19' Skeeter so the boat part is not a problem just concerned how other guys will view him being in the club.  Let me know what some of you veteran club members think.  Do clubs have age limits?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I know that here in Rhode Island, B.A.S.S. has a junior division.   Perhaps they do in your state also.

[Nick_Barr]

There should be no problem, most clubs down their should have atleast a jr. Club sponsored by an adult club.

[Will]

Go to this link and click on the state you live in. It will take you to your States Federation website. If you can't find a link for the youth e-mail a Federation officer and you should be able to get more information. Good Luck!

http://www.bassfederation.com/youth/stateyouth.html

[topwtr81]

according to b.a.s.s rules you can join when you are 16 however you can also stay in the jr organization till you are 18 as well

we have a very successful jr club affiliated with ours

and we are graduateing 3 16  year olds's into to jr club this january

[Fish4FunInFl]

You can check out smaller local clubs in your area as well. The club im in is small and we do have a father / son combo. The son is probably 15 and fishes in our monthly tournaments with who ever he gets drawed out with.

You just go as the boater and let him go as a non boater with whomever he gets paired with.

Or you may be able to find some buddy tournaments and go as a team.

[bassdocktor]

I started fishing some small local tournaments about 7 years ago when I was 12 now I'm 19. Although it wasn't a club it had that type of feel to it. I was able to fish with my dad. Although on paper I was counted as a partener when it came time to get a check they would only give it to him until I turned 16 or 18. They also had a rule that atleast one partner was 18 I believe. It was great and I still fish in those tournamnets. Personally I can say it was great even though it wasn't a true club. I've made alot of friends and learned alot from those guys.

Plus being that young you get to hear some pretty cool stories as guys talk about hunting trips that they went on. The only 2 down sides that come to mind are that sometimes you hear some kinda strange akward conversations. Sometimes they look at you alittle strange but that may have been our boat too. Overall it was a great a experience even tough it was a club in its true nature. Personally I'd say go for it.

bassdocktor