Bass Club Basics

[fish-fighting-illini]

Why does anyone need BASS or FLW to have a club? Why go through all of the trouble?

What is to be gained from it?

All this being said I am a BASS member strictly for the magazine which I enjoy. Does that in itself make you a member of BASS for tny's? Obviously the club would also have its dues etc.

I just don't think I would need them to have a club. I don't have an interest anyway just couriosity.

[HPBB]

You don't need BASS or FLW to have a club. I know of several clubs and tournament series that are not BASS or FLW. If its a fish for fun club then there is no need for and affiliation. Most BASS affiliated clubs are tournament clubs.

Yes, getting the mag makes you a member of BASS. and yes you are able to fish their tournaments.

Now what does it bring to a club? If you want to fish the federation side of BASS. You must be a member of a BASS club. This is mainly for fishing federation tournaments in your state. There is also some insurance things (tournament insurance)

Its basically for fishing tournaments other than local buddy or pick up tournaments. In my club we fish 12 club tournaments a year and also our members fish the state run tournaments (region, Mr. Bass, State Classic). This way we fish/compete against others from all over the state. And try to make it up the ladder. most will not make it higher, but its a way

My club does fallow the rules, but we are not overboard about them. No Politic, its laid back and we fish. Fish tournaments, that is what we love to do and that is why we joined the club. The guys and girl in my club are very competitive, we all want to win. But there is no stabbing in the back. we let our fishing talk for us. Tournaments are not made for everyone. some like them, some do not. If I didn't like to fish tournaments I would not be in an affiliated club. Clubs are a great learning experience you think you know how to fish when you first start, then it hits you and you find out you have a lot to learn. and in a club fishing with different people all the time you learn many different things. Infact you never stop learning and that is the great thing about my club is that everybody learns from everybody else

[R520dvx]

I believe FLW and Bass also pony up some insurance for the club events

[Shad_Master]

Actually the only thing you need to have a "club" is several people with a common interest.  My local club is not affiliated with either BASS or FLW.  The club actually began before either of these groups were established.  Later on the club looked into an affiliation with BASS, but was told that there were certain requirements of the members (specifically no outboards of less than 50 hp) and so the club told them to go pound sand.  From time to time members of the affiliated clubs leave and join in with us and vice-versa.  But our club still goes on.

[bassmaster8100]

The club Im in just became part of the B.A.S.S. Federation. The main thing most people in our club was interested in was the insurance that BASS provides. They pay up a million dollars, they cover anything your regular boat insurance does not up to a million dollars. Just one of the positive things that BASS does. Plus they do alot for conservation and cast for kids. But no you dont have to have them to have a club but they're are alot of good things to be considered when deciding to join or not.

[HPBB]

shadmaster. I am not sure who told you about a 50hp rule to be a BASS affiliated club, but there is no rule. I know of clubs that are small boat clubs (10-20HP motors) and TM only clubs, I even know there are some float tube clubs also. I know in Pa there is a min HP rule for fishing STATE tournaments, not club tournaments.in club tournaments the club sets the HP rules, if any. In PA its 40HP  min  to use a boat in a state tournament, unless its held on a restricted HP lake. The 40hp is for safety . Not saying you should join BASS or FLW, some of the best clubs are not affiliated some are. Just letting you know there is no such rule in national BASS club rules.

[WBFishing]

Well for me, I am movign from AL to Calfornia.  I have been fishing the BASS Weekend Series, the nearest one is in Texas or Oklahoma.  ISo te only way to really be involved with fishing BASS is through a federation affliated club.  I have also been fishing the BFL but again no BFL in Cali.  I wanted to fish this year as a boater, but I am not about to jump into the Western Stren as a boater just yet.  So I am looking for Federation Affiliated clubs to continue fishing with BASS and FLW on a level I would feel confortable, an of course to make friends and contribute.

[BASS fisherman]

My club does fallow the rules, but we are not overboard about them. No Politic, its laid back and we fish. Fish tournaments, that is what we love to do and that is why we joined the club. The guys and girl in my club are very competitive, we all want to win. But there is no stabbing in the back. we let our fishing talk for us. Tournaments are not made for everyone. some like them, some do not. If I didn't like to fish tournaments I would not be in an affiliated club. Clubs are a great learning experience you think you know how to fish when you first start, then it hits you and you find out you have a lot to learn. and in a club fishing with different people all the time you learn many different things. Infact you never stop learning and that is the great thing about my club is that everybody learns from everybody else

Well said!!