| Having been an avid basser for years, and not | | | | |
| having the wherewithal to purchase a boat, I've | | | | That really surprised me. Why didn't I know this |
| often felt cheated and frustrated about not being | | | | years ago? It makes perfect sense, yet |
| able to get out to deeper waters (where I was | | | | somehow this information escaped me. |
| certain the real bass were). Having succumbed to | | | | |
| this delimma for some 40 years or more, I finally | | | | Owning your own boat can be expensive. A |
| had something come my way that I never knew | | | | decent boat purchased new can easily run you |
| existed: my local bass fishing club. | | | | around $15,000. Ouch. Then there is the issue of |
| | | | storage, insurance, fuel, the trailer, something to |
| I mean, I knew bass clubs existed, but I didn't | | | | pull it with, maintenance and a whole slew of |
| know they were for me. For one thing, how can | | | | other expenses that come with the package. |
| you join a bass fishing club if you don't have a | | | | |
| boat. Additionally, isn't it just the best bass | | | | But not for the non-boater. I paid my bass club |
| fishermen that are in these clubs? These guys do | | | | dues (very affordable) and within 2 days I was |
| tournaments and such. Not sure if I could | | | | out with the gang on my first local bass club |
| measure up. | | | | fishing tournament - in a boat. My share of the |
| | | | costs was extremely reasonable compared to |
| Low and behold, the old saying "you won't know | | | | those in the last paragraph. It was a 3 day trip |
| if you don't go" proved itself once again. Thanks | | | | and we even shared the cost of a room. |
| to an Internet buddy, I was enlightened. I got the | | | | |
| address and went to my first bass club meeting. | | | | Don't ask how the fishing was; that's a whole |
| It was simple, friendly, fun and I was fishing with | | | | other article. |
| them that weekend. | | | | |
| | | | In this club, we go out once a month to a |
| First off, let's address the notion that you have | | | | different lake and have our own little bass |
| to be a great bass fisherman to belong to one of | | | | tournament. Each time we go out, the |
| these clubs. This is not true. In fact, most of | | | | non-boaters are matched up with a boater (also a |
| these anglers are people just like me, only with a | | | | different one each time). This way, you get to |
| little more experience (remember, I didn't have a | | | | learn a little something from everyone. |
| boat - I was bank fishing). Most of these people | | | | |
| are happy to share that experience with you. | | | | So, if you are bank bound like I was, and want |
| | | | to head out for more exciting fishing, go online or |
| Secondly, you do not have to have a boat. In | | | | open up the phone book and contact you local |
| fact, most clubs are looking for non-boaters to | | | | bass fishing club. You could be out on the boat in |
| help share the expense of the trip with someone | | | | no time. Whether or not you catch any fish |
| who owns a boat. Brilliant! | | | | remains to be seen. |