well i got a form filled out to join my local bass club and they are supposed to go over it at their december meeting. then i should be able to join starting january 1. so wish me some luck

good luck!

Good luck in joining the club, but be prepared to be an outsider for about a year until the guys get to know you.

Be sure to volunteer to help with the youth events and moving the scales and anything you can do with the guys.

Also, don't be a pain in the behind in the boat as a non-boater.  Be polite and always give the gas money to the boat owner BEFORE you take off or within an hour of leaving the dock.

Cut your line if you get hung up; don't fish the front of the boat for more than an hour; clean up after yourself; don't cuss; tell the boat owner about your self as you fish, such as your occupation, other fishing places you have been, politics, etc., but don't bragg about past fishing successes.

Once you get to be known as a nice guy and not a pain in the behind, the other guys' attitudes will change and you will be welcome to fish with anyone.

Just remember, you are a "threat" and if you come on too strong about winning the club's first place trophy and going on to the 6 man team or if you become known as a pain in the behind you will not be totally accepted in the club.

Just be a nice guy.

Wow Sam.......Seems like alot of silly little "rules" that you must abide by for a little local club? Do you have to do that just to get in the "click" of the club? Why can't you just be yourself and fish....ask questions, etc?

"Cut your line if you get hung up, don't cuss, pay before you take off, or within an hour of launch? don't run the boat for more than an hour"  I don't understand? I'll fish by myself if I have to.  

Sounds like a Blast!! Not!!

Nothing personal, but, I prefer to fish comfortably(sp)....no clicky rules.....JMO.....nothing more

HH

I tend to agree with Hawghunter. It almost sounds like you want him to go in and kiss everyone's butt. I recommend you go and be yourself. If you win your first tournament from the back of someone's boat, then good on you. The guys will know you came to play, not to watch! Be polite and be respectful, but don't bow down to anyone. Sorry Sam, but 24 years riding submarines will do this to a man.

Sams advice is dead on. I fished as a new guy in this club and followed those guidelines and things seem to work a whole lot better for you.

Good luck in joining the club, but be prepared to be an outsider for about a year until the guys get to know you.

Be sure to volunteer to help with the youth events and moving the scales and anything you can do with the guys.

Also, don't be a pain in the behind in the boat as a non-boater. Be polite and always give the gas money to the boat owner BEFORE you take off or within an hour of leaving the dock.

Cut your line if you get hung up; don't fish the front of the boat for more than an hour; clean up after yourself; don't cuss; tell the boat owner about your self as you fish, such as your occupation, other fishing places you have been, politics, etc., but don't bragg about past fishing successes.

Once you get to be known as a nice guy and not a pain in the behind, the other guys' attitudes will change and you will be welcome to fish with anyone.

Just remember, you are a "threat" and if you come on too strong about winning the club's first place trophy and going on to the 6 man team or if you become known as a pain in the behind you will not be totally accepted in the club.

Just be a nice guy.

I agree, be a nice guy, but if coming into a club one would be a "threat" then I think I will continue to fish mostly by myself.  About everytime I think i want to look for a club to join, I read something like this and think...maybe not.  Not bashing you Sam, in fact, I appreciate the info.  I think I will keep thinking about joing a club.....BTW, anyone know any clubs in the Sacramento/Folsom/Marysville area?? ;D

i will avoid controversy and just say good luck

TAke it as you must guys, Sams advice is true! It is just the way it is in these things, just like clubs at school or anyplace else. It takes time for them to "officially" let you in.

I found out this also when I joined our club in it's innaugural 96' season. I showed up for the 4th or 5th meeting and still found myself to be an outsider.

One sure way to speed things up though is to do well in the tourneys. Sam is right, don't brag about how good you are, show it. It is the best way to earn the respect of the other members.

It does sound like this club is a little snobbish though. To have to "review" an application is pretty harsh. The way our club works, someone shows up to the advertised meetings, pays their dues and is voted onby the members right there. I don't think I have ever seen a "nay" vote on a new member.

Another cool thing that our club did, but has since changed against my wishes is this.

Used to be, you could not fish with the same partner more than twice in a 12 tournament season. This way, everyone gets to know one another.

You would think it would cause problems with boaters vs. non-boaters, whose boat to take, boaters fishing with boaters or 2 non-boaters being stuck together. But honestly, it all worked out for 6 years with only a few bumps. (non-boaters having to borrow boats, etc.)

Now the club lets anyone fish with whoever with no restrictions so it causes more division IMHO. However, it has created some great rivalries, Like HArry and Crusty in Bassmaster. (For those who don't know about Harry and Charlie, please go read Bassmaster. The most entertaining part of the mag IMO.

So, my advice. If you are cocky, be so quietly. Your skill will show at the weigh in.

good luck