"guests" in clubs

[Dockhead]

My club recently adopted a rule allowing guests to fish with us.

They aren't competing for prizes, and they have to throw in $20, which goes toward their membership fees if they decide to join. If they don't it goes into the classic fund.

Anyone else do this? If so, how's it working? What are your specifics on how it works in your club?

[HuntFishAK]

I fished my first tournament as a guest last year.  I didn't have to pay anything.  Of course, I wasn't eligible for money.  I ended up joining the club because I had such a positive experience.

[UPS VT]

We allow guests to fish one tournament.  It is a great way for a prospective member to figure out if the club is right for them.

[Sam]

Nope. Been there; done that; total disaster.

Changed rules to allow a family member to fish one tournament.

One of our members had his "cousin" fish with him. Seems this cousin knew the waters very good and they won the tournament.

We still do not believe this guy was our member's cousin.

I was strange to have our member tell everyone that he had to sleep in his truck as he had no money to stay anywhere the night before the tournament and then show up with his cousin who was supposed to live on the lake.

The guy also took the pot and then we realized that he had not paid to get into the pot.

Needless to say the club member is no longer with us and we do not allow anyone in any boat during a tournament other than for another club member. 

[whoopbazz]

We allow it. The guest can put in for the lunker pool...since it is seperate from the tourney. Since our tourney's are team events...fishing alone can be a hindrerance. We encourage boaters to not fish alone as a safety factor.

Our club is very unique in many ways...so a person who has had a bad experience fishing clubs or tourneys get a look at a good bunch of honest guys who fish competively, but don't let it come in the way of our friendship.

[Nitrofreak]

Guy's I don't belong to any clubs yet and I am very interested in joining a club and doing tournaments but I don't have a partner yet.

Now my wife loves to fish with me but she does not want to be in any tournaments or belong to any clubs she just wants to have fun fishing.

I'm curious do any of your clubs allow your spouse to fish with you if you don't have a partner in tournaments?

And if you don't mind me asking what's the best thing to look for in a club?

[fishfordollars]

Spouse is considered a member in our club. She can pay and fish any time(Children too; however, they do not have to pay and cannot win money). Guest is allowed to fish one tournament a year with a member, pay the entry, and qualify to win.

[bassnleo]

Guests can fish 3 club events but only for lunker pot.

After 3 they are either done or have to join.

[Dockhead]

Some interesting scenarios out there I see.

[burleytog]

We allow a guest to fish a tournament one time only.  After that, you have to join to fish.

[Bass_Fanatic]

We allow guest to fish all tournys but they must enter in the $20 pot each time and they are fishing for money, not points.  Our club standings is not team, but individual. 

[slonezp]

Nope

Our club has 2 open tourneys a year to attract new members. You do not need to be a member to fish but all club rules apply. These are money only tourneys and do not count towards point totals for regular club events.

[FlSnowman]

Guests allowed to fish.  Pay entry fee and big bass fee and are allowed to win both.  Just do not receive points.

[Sam]

Nope.

This is a no-no.

Only members can fish a club tournament. 

[Green Hornet]

My club allows guests to fish.  They pay the normal entry fee ($10) but cannot win anything.  We don't have a lunker pot but we do recognize all participants that caught fish over four pounds.

My club's stated goal is to fish for fun, and pass info on to others.  We're not in this for the $.

Tight Lines!   

[wackyworm66]

Green Hornet,

I like your clubs approach and attitude toward fishing.  IMHO clubs should be to further the great sport of bass fishing.  If a club does not allow guests and tries to hoard any new fishing info, then what is the purpose of the club?

I am in north central Alabama and I am considering joining a club.  Are there any good clubs represented on this forum that would consider a new member?

Thanks ahead of time.

[alwayslooking]

my club allows guest to fish 3 times (for big bass only)without joining,,,,we try to get info from the tourney winners, like, what they caught them on, how deep, etc....and usually they will tell,,,might not tell the color or location, but you can get an idea of the pattern...good friendly competition

[Green Hornet]

After weigh-in, we each take turns detailing the type of lure and cover type where we caught our fish. 

[J Francho]

Family members (kids or wife) can fish if the boater doesn't draw a non.  Anyone that participates in the draw has to join or leave after three events.  All guests must be declared on the Thursday before the tournament, and are subject to the TD's approval.  No vote required.

[mudkart]

After weigh-in, we each take turns detailing the type of lure and cover type where we caught our fish.

NHBA?

[Green Hornet]

After weigh-in, we each take turns detailing the type of lure and cover type where we caught our fish.

NHBA?

That's the one.