4 replies to this topic

[Pete Elphinstone]

Hey Guys
I know this is a long post but it is worth the read.
I am posting this thread because the Niagara Bassmasters are in serious need of non-boaters for our club. A large number of our non-boaters from last year have purchased boats of their own and we are having a hard time filling teams with non-boaters and this is why I have made this post to you.
Let’s start with the question everyone asks, “What does it cost?”
The cost to join the Niagara Bassmasters is $60; this fee gives you your membership with the club and eligibility for club benefits, trophies, prizes etc. It also registers you with the Ontario Bass Federation. (OBF) Your registration with the OBF gets you a subscription to the BASS Times monthly paper, in this paper there are fishing articles and tips as well as updates of past tournaments.
Your second cost as a member will be to B.A.S.S. (USA) the current cost of this membership is $15 U.S. funds. Your membership here makes you eligible to enter any B.A.S.S. sanctioned tournament with any club. On top of this you receive a subscription to BASS Masters magazine the best bass publication in stores today which covers everything from tips, tricks, tackle, tournament reports, club stuff etc. When you become a member of BASS they will send you some free stuff, tackle, hat, line or whatever their special is at that time.
Once your memberships have been paid you can start fishing club tournaments.
Now this doesn’t mean you have to fish every tournament or have to go out and buy the best stuff or be like a “pro” fisherman. You can fish 1, 5, 10 however many events you wish to fish and bring the equipment you have with you.
This is all done in a fun and friendly atmosphere. No stress, no pressure just going fishin!
New members are recommended to enter tournaments as non-boaters, reason for this is to help them become more familiar with the waters we fish and the different techniques used to catch the fish in them. If a new member has a boat and wishes to fish as a boater that is just fine too, no pressure!
If some of you are thinking that the cost is too much to join then look at it this way. Find out what it costs to book a guided bass fishing charter for the day. Some charters only last 4 to 6 hours and cost hundreds of dollars. Our tournaments last 8 hours and the cost is the tournament entry fee($40) and you split the gas money with your boater/partner (average $40). In the end you get a full day on the water with an experienced bass angler, the knowledge of fishing that day and a chance to win your money back and then some.
Many people don’t fully know what the local BASS clubs have to offer and are under the impression that you need to have a skilled or knowledgeable background in bass fishing in order to join the club and that is the furthest thing from the truth. The only thing you need is a good attitude and the willingness to learn. In the sport of fishing no matter how long you have been doing it or what you think you know you will always learn something.
If you have any questions feel free to post them here or PM me, I would be happy to answer them. Or else feel free to join us at one of our club meetings held the second Friday of each month at 7:30pm at the Royal Canadian Legion 5603 Spring Street, Niagara Falls.
Our next club meeting is this Friday July 9 at 7:30. Please feel free to attend.
Thanks,
Pete Elphinstone
Tournament Director
Niagara Bassmasters

[wayne]

Very well said Pete! I started with the club by fishing the open tournaments, and did rather well, fishing from a 16 foot aluminum tracker boat, tonns of fun and super great bunch of guyz to fish with, i have more fun talking with guyz than i do the actual fishing, you don't need a fancy bass boat, any boat with a livewell will do!The second thing i really like about the club is the conservation side of it, proper fish handling and care, road clean ups ect, and 3rd is our charity tournament the help a child smile one,great cause for some unfortunate kids and familly,s.

[fishnagain]

hi Pete,
is it too late to join the bassmasters for this season? and are there requirements that you must attend a certain number of meetings, i work out of town quite a bit and cant always make meetings .

thanks
fishnagain

Edited by fishnagain, 12 July 2010 - 05:41 PM.

[Pete Elphinstone]

fishnagain, on Jul 12 2010, 06:41 PM, said:

hi Pete,
is it too late to join the bassmasters for this season? and are there requirements that you must attend a certain number of meetings, i work out of town quite a bit and cant always make meetings .

thanks
fishnagain

Hey Fishnagain
No it is not too late to join, we have a lot of events still ahead. We are actually just getting into the tournament season with events running until september. Lots of time.
You dont have to attend any club meetings. The meetings are there for the club to take care of business but we do try to do some fun and informative stuff there. If you can make the meetings great, if not thats ok too. Some members dont make any either because of their work schedule or they have something planned then.
Anything else let me know.
Thanks,
Pete

[BONDAR]

i'ma going to get in on this for sure ! more boat time for me ! and ive got a lot to learn still so this is perfect