No Boat? Join Your Local Bass Club

Having been an avid basser for years, and not having the wherewithal to purchase a boat, I've often felt cheated and frustrated about not being able to get out to deeper waters (where I was certain the real bass were). Having succumbed to this delimma for some 40 years or more, I finally had something come my way that I never knew existed: my local bass fishing club.

I mean, I knew bass clubs existed, but I didn't know they were for me. For one thing, how can you join a bass fishing club if you don't have a boat. Additionally, isn't it just the best bass fishermen that are in these clubs? These guys do tournaments and such. Not sure if I could measure up.

Low and behold, the old saying "you won't know if you don't go" proved itself once again. Thanks to an Internet buddy, I was enlightened. I got the address and went to my first bass club meeting. It was simple, friendly, fun and I was fishing with them that weekend.

First off, let's address the notion that you have to be a great bass fisherman to belong to one of these clubs. This is not true. In fact, most of these anglers are people just like me, only with a little more experience (remember, I didn't have a boat - I was bank fishing). Most of these people are happy to share that experience with you.

Secondly, you do not have to have a boat. In fact, most clubs are looking for non-boaters to help share the expense of the trip with someone who owns a boat. Brilliant!

That really surprised me. Why didn't I know this years ago? It makes perfect sense, yet somehow this information escaped me.

Owning your own boat can be expensive. A decent boat purchased new can easily run you around $15,000. Ouch. Then there is the issue of storage, insurance, fuel, the trailer, something to pull it with, maintenance and a whole slew of other expenses that come with the package.

But not for the non-boater. I paid my bass club dues (very affordable) and within 2 days I was out with the gang on my first local bass club fishing tournament - in a boat. My share of the costs was extremely reasonable compared to those in the last paragraph. It was a 3 day trip and we even shared the cost of a room.

Don't ask how the fishing was; that's a whole other article.

In this club, we go out once a month to a different lake and have our own little bass tournament. Each time we go out, the non-boaters are matched up with a boater (also a different one each time). This way, you get to learn a little something from everyone.

So, if you are bank bound like I was, and want to head out for more exciting fishing, go online or open up the phone book and contact you local bass fishing club. You could be out on the boat in no time. Whether or not you catch any fish remains to be seen.

Michael Russell
MgrCentral.com
Established 2001
Home Business Training and Information Guides

---

The Advantages of Underwater Fishing Cameras

Want to see what's really going on under the water... Read More

From Personal Belly Boats to High Performance Racers - An Overview of Inflatable Boats

Inflatable boats, also called rubber boats or dinghies, have been... Read More

The Fish Dont Care What You Wear

The fish don't care what you wear.... Read More

Fish Cooking Basics - How to Transform Those Fish You Just Caught into a Wonderful Seafood Dinner

Fish Cooking Basics I must admit that I... Read More

Swordfishing Fort lauderdale Style

I was laying down on the bow of the boat... Read More

Monster Hunt: Ledge Lunker Blues Part I

Originally published in Procats Online MagazineSummertime angling for trophy-sized blue... Read More

What You Need To Know Before You Sell Your Boat

As the owner/operator of a full service boat detailing-yacht maintenance... Read More

Surf Fishing The Outer Banks of North Carolina

My first experience surf fishing was with my father on... Read More

North to Alaska

For many fishermen Alaska is the ultimate "mecca" of fishing.... Read More

Further North to Alaska

With the excitement of my first trip to Alaska still... Read More

Reviving Billfish

Last summer we had an unfortunate incident with a swordfish... Read More

Take a Kid Fishing

Take a kid fishing and they will learn to be... Read More

The Old Man And His Bluegills

I started fishing a little lake just south of Somerset,... Read More

Cincinnati Catfishing Bait

Some of the baits I have used for used for... Read More

10 Fishing Gems

Fishing Gem #1 ? When Is Best?If you are in... Read More

Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Mans Sport

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each... Read More

Bass Fishing In The Winter In The North

The next few days in Ohio are supposed to be... Read More

Teaching a Kid to Fish

Teaching a kid to fish does not have to be... Read More

Fishing Topwater in Lily Pads

In 2004, I fished more lily pads than ever before?... Read More

Something Is Buzzing And Its Not Bees

We all have used buzz baits and we know why... Read More

Techniques and Tactics For Nymphing

Just like dry fly fishing, there are many, many ways... Read More

Finding and Catching Fish has Never Been Easier With the Garmin 250 Fish Finder

The Garmin Fishfinder 250 is Garmin's latest addition to their... Read More

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques

IntroductionMany of the people about to take one of my... Read More

The Alaskan Experience

"FISH ON!!"I yelled, as my seven weight fly rod bent... Read More

Introducing The Two Guys With Flys

Just when you thought you had seen it all. Just... Read More

Finding Trophy Bass

Have you ever noticed some people have all the luck... Read More

Three Main Trout Senses

An angler should therefore become familiar with the three main... Read More

Fishing The Henrys Fork....With Jack Karpawack

Jack Karpawack here.Well, as I suspected, there was no high... Read More

A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to... Read More

Rock Fishing Techniques

Many shore anglers avoid fishing rock marks because they are... Read More

Fly Fishing Small Streams

Picture this; you've spent some time hiking into a small... Read More

Trout Fishing Techniques

One of the most popular trout fishing techniques is called... Read More

Butterfly Jigs Create Buzz with American Fishermen

A big buzz within the fishing community that is spreading... Read More