Does anyone ever just have a fishing club for the heck of it? One where forget the prize stuff and maybe a bunch of guys just fish together on and off occasionly? One that doesn't get hung up with weigh ins? Just get people together that enjoy the sport?

Why all the FLW / Bass affiliation stuff? is it so the club recognized for people using it as a minor league thing to move up?

No offense to those fine organizations. But I might want to belong to a club just to find a way to learn more about fishing. I don't want to get invloved in a "have to be there" or a bunch of money stuff. The bait monkey gets anough as it is.

Just a couriosity thing no big deal.

what part of illi are you from?

Dead center just outside of Peoria

Unfortunately, I can't provide you with a link to any clubs like you describe but I can answer your question about affiliations. Insurance. That's one of the biggest reasons that clubs decide to join BASS of FLW. My club up in Chicago was originally what you were looking for but has just made a change to having more competitions. During the Federation split the issue of not joining either group was discussed. I had only been with the club for a little while and learned that insureance is the main reason for the BASS membership in our case. I'd still check out the Illinois Federation Nation website because there are clubs that learning is a big part of what they do.

Hope this helped alittle,

bassdocktor

Yes it did help thanks Doc.

What is the insurance about? Insuring the liability because of a club? Better boat insurance prices?

Liability of a member running into a boat during a tny?

What is it they need to insure?

The insurance was something I didn't quite understand completely. I guess it is designed to protect the members at an outing or tournament. In the past our club has been involved in activities where we bring kids for boat rides. The club felt the insurance was necessary. Again I'm not really sure what exactly it covers or doesn't cover. I don't think half the people that have the extra insure from BASS really do. It seemed slightly confusing but, it seems to be for protection. I do believe it is a type of liability insurance. I would think it is on the BASS website.

Good luck with your search,

bassdocktor

If your club holds tournaments the insurance will cover all the officers of the club if someone decides to sue if they get hurt in an event. I t has happened. Usually it does not cover boats or gear, just the officers. It's pretty expensive also. It's around $10 per boat per event. I spoke to a lawyer and my insurance co and they said to get 2 seperate liability waivers signed at each event releasing the club from any responsability, this way they can't say they were'nt told they were fishing at there own risk. Certain utility owned lakes require insurance to get a permit  to old an event.

Rob

The insurance thing was an issue with my club also when we were trying to decide if we were going to affiliate this year. After looking at the BASS policy, it really is more for the advantage of them than the club and doesn't offer much coverage over what they require you to carry on your boat. Add to that the fees, $25 to state fed and $25 to national or $50 per person plus what you need to keep the club going. After much discussion and research we ended up finding a specialty insurance co. that could give up a policy equal to or better than Bass offered for $360 a year. Divide that up in a 12 man club and it was cheaper than being affiliated and gives us total control of our club.

I belong to a liars club that sometimes has fishing tournaments If any of these guys could fish half as well as they talk s**t they would be fishing the Classic. We are not affiliated with BASS, FLW, whoever else we are just a bunch of guys that get together about 8 times a year for a competition. It costs $125 a year and all the money is either paid back to the top 2-3 or used to buy club hats and jackets. It is fun and I do not have to worry about all the crap that goes on with major tournaments.

Allen

I used to belong to a club that had no affiliation but did hold money tournaments.  It was alot more fun than when the club had previously been involved in affiliation with 2 different organizations.  

There is a club on Kentucky Lake that is not affiliated and the tournaments have an OPTIONAL $10 pot.

Sounds like fun!!