Questions And Answers About Bryan Bass Club.

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The Bryan Bass Club formed in 1972. The club has a legendary history of bass tournament competition in the state of Texas. Sam Fling, who has led the club and acted as our tournament director for many years, is an original member, and now recognized as a lifetime member.

How do I join the Bryan Bass Club?

Invitation. Membership in the Bryan Bass Club (BBC) is governed by a constitution and by-laws (.doc file, or .pdf file). Club monthly tournaments are governed by applicable by-laws and additionally annual tournament rules (.doc file or .pdf file) approved each year. These two documents are available as web links here or from the club secretary on printed pages. Club candidates may be invited to join at any of the monthly club business meetings.

What are the annual membership dues?

Basic costs are approximately $81 if you include various dues and a B.A.S.S. magazine subscription.

Required costs fall into several categories -- local club annual dues, local club annual big bass pot, National B.A.S.S. Federation Nation annual dues, Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation annual dues, and a magazine subscription/membership to B.A.S.S. required for Federation Nation affiliation.

While this sounds like a lot, total annual membership dues are very comparable to most Texas bass clubs. Here is a breakdown of fixed dues and variable subscription costs...

Annual membership dues and pots:

Plus, subscription to B.A.S.S. Magazine (approximately $20 per year). You arrange for the subscription yourself, which is necessary before applying to B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.

The club's optional monthly bass tournaments for members have separate $20 entry fees.

The club also has a roster of loyal members that affiliate with the original Bass Federation, now associated with FLW Outdoors. These members joined The Bass Federation of Texas, and The Bass Federation nationwide, and FLW Outdoors. These members are eligible for events associated with these affilliations. The original Bass Federation stayed independent when ESPN took over B.A.S.S., and ESPN created a new Federation Nation organization as a substitute. It caused confusion when a new "federation" was created and may still today, however Bryan Bass Club membership is part of both in 2010.

What does The Bass Federation and B.A.S.S. Federation Nation have to do with my membership in a bass club?

In some bass clubs, nothing. Because the Bryan Bass Club maintains affiliations with B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and The Bass Federation (FLW Outdoors), members can qualify for certain state and national events sponsored by those affiliations. Current BBC members consider this qualification important and a prestigious hallmark of the club.

Philosophically, BBC supports beliefs and principles extended by both "federation's." Last but not least, the organization gains vital liability insurance protection from them.

What are the club events?

Meetings -- The BBC meets the first Tuesday of each month to conduct business, exchange information and socialize, usually at the Country Skillet restaurant on Tabor Road. Some members travel to regional "federation" meetings scheduled during the year.

Club Tournaments -- Tournaments are held each month for members and their guests, with modest entry costs, best day of two days, on weekend dates decided annually, at lake locations decided monthly. Dates are chosen to encourage fishing other major tournament trails like Bass Champs, Southeast Region Texas BASS Federation, or Bass-n-Bucks. During 2009, the club voted to fish popular Texas tournament lakes like Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Amistad, Choke Canyon, Limestone, Stillhouse Hollow, Belton, Palestine and Livingston. See tournament results to get an idea about recent lake sites. For more information on the club's tournament lakes, click here.

Public events -- BBC used to host "open" team bass tournaments each year but has not during recent years. Other official events or activities may be decided at business meetings.

Awards Banquet & Top-six -- The club has an annual banquet with a bass professional as guest speaker to honor the club's angler of the year and top-six members. Past speakers included Rick Clunn, Randy Dearman, Alton Jones, Bud Pruitt, Matt Reed, Zell Rowland, Lonnie Stanley, Carl Svebek, Clark Wendlandt, Dave Wharton, and Jay Yelas... like a who's-who of professional fishing. Top members for a calendar year (January to December) are sponsored at a pretigious tournament the next year.

How are top club members determined?

BBC uses a point system. Members are awarded points for attending meetings or club events and for placing in club tournaments. At the end of the twelve month cycle, points from up to 12 meetings/events and nine of the twelve tournaments are totaled. The calendar year top-six and angler of the year are recognized at the annual banquet in January. The point system emphasizes consistent performance in both club service and tournament placing.

How can I get more information?

Contact the club president for 2010, Bill Ray, at fishingfool54@hotmail.com. He'll provide you with the time and place of the next business meeting where you can get many questions answered and meet the Bryan Bass Club.

There, you'll meet others that enjoy bass fishing, particularly competitive fishing. You'll meet advocates of conservation concepts like catch-and-release to preserve the resource. You'll meet some of the best bass anglers in the state mixed with amateurs, both learning from each other.

Pictures of February 1, 2000, business meeting at Country Skillet restaurant on Tabor Road in Bryan, TX. They have a great grilled chicken chef salad, generous chicken fried steak or home-style hamburger 'n fries among their country menu selections.

Disclaimer stuff... Certain names that may be mentioned, like B.A.S.S., Bass Champs, or Bass-n-Bucks for example, are registered names of their respective independent organizations. General information or answers provided within these web pages do not substitute for the club's constitution and bylaws or annual tournament rules that officially govern the club. And, of course, there may be typos, mistakes, or ommissions.

Return to BBC Home Page.

bbc02.htm
revised July 10, 2010