Opinions on what makes a good fishing club

[offdtop]

You know I agree (partially):

"they don't fish solely for financial gain and/or recognition. If they do fish a tourney they will fish with honor and dignity toward their fellow competitors as well as the natural resources which belongs to us all".

But I have to say that I disagree with the recognition portion only because a "real sportsman" as it pertains to a fishing club, loves the idea of competition against his fellow peers and in small clubs as well as larger ones they win the angler(s) of the year to show they accomplished something for an entire year/season. Ego's aside I have won such things and to try to win it was a daunting task because I was up against some serious competition, I was proud of myself and my partner we tried hard - very hard, yet we didn't sacrifice sportsmanship or morals to acomplish we did it by hard work and I enjoyed the recognition my peers shown me for they felt I earned it fair and square. So I don't believe we in small clubs intend to do it for the recognition but when it is earned through hard work and time on the water and your peers that you look up to call you the best that year then so be it.

Livewell checks will happen and should happen because our nature tends to question one 20lb sack for first and 4 pounds for second etc. By performing these simple checks it eliminates the question from a sore loser about how "that guy said he wacked 'em yesterday - I wonder......" Livewell checks hurt nothing. Polygraphs - I really don't think a small club that I know of does it because we are fishing for little money. Please remember I asked the initial question "What makes a good fishing club", not should there even any clubs or I don't like clubs. I also am not asking for what FLW, BFL, BASS, PAA and the list goes on from there does, but to establish what you like about certain clubs that if you started your own or wanted to join one what would you look for? Our club votes members in to keep the KVD wannabe's out, we don't want guys who fish just for the money, nor the boasting type that act like they are the next big thing in bass fishing - and that is one thing in my opinion makes for a good club.............

[LMBC_WeighMaster]

I know I am biased because I am VP/weigh master of our club. But...

What I like about our club is the season is 10 tournaments + a tournament of champions if you qualify. Entry per person is $30/tournament that is 100% paid out over the year.

Our only issue has been the cost of FLW/KBF membership to have supporting insurance coverage. Next year we are thinking of dropping this in place of a waiver signed by everyone. That cut initial club fees by at least 50%.

Pluses to the club include 7 draw tournaments with parings set a few days to a week ahead, 2 pick-a-partner tournaments and the addition of a "team" tournament this year.

With the low entries and relative small size of winnings cheating has never been a concern. We are all friends fishing for fun and bragging rights.

Biggest advantage to me is I don't own a boat and still get to fish area lakes at least once a month. I also get to learn about different styles and techniques with the draw format. This has made for a great learning environment. The only additional costs for coanglers is splitting the cost of gas to get to the lake and while on the water. Fairly economical, all things considered.