Club Bylaws
As amended on March 1, 2007
1. Tournaments will be catch and release paper tallies only with a five fish limit for each person, black bass only unless otherwise voted on. The minimum fish allowed will be ten inches. A record of each catch will be turned in to the tournament director at weigh in time. Fish are to be measured using the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department pinched tail, closed moth method, measurements must be witnessed by your partner. All fish must be released immediately. The only exception to catch and release would be a trophy class fish.
2. Each person attending a tournament that does not catch a fish will receive as a minimum, the lowest score minus 10 points. For example, if the lowest sore of a participant who caught fish is 85, everyone who did not catch a fish will receive 75 points (85-10+75).
3. Tournament take off time will be decided at the meeting prior to the tournament by the club President or appointed Tournament Director. Rule of thumb will be 30 minutes before sunrise. Members can launch at anytime but can not leave the launch area until the official take off time. This does not apply to scatter tournaments.
4. Points for fish will be per the catch and release tally sheet. Fish will be measured on a flat board measuring stick with at least 1/4" increments. Measure fish using the Texas Parks and Wildlife method described below.
Use these guidelines to measure fish correctly (total length):
5. Tournaments will be started using the partner draw method. Boaters will select a draw ticket to determine non boating partners at the meeting prior to the tournament. This does not apply to scatter or away tournaments, they will be pick your partner tournaments.
6. Annual club dues will be $40.00 as approved by vote of the membership. New member dues will be $40.00. New members will receive a club plaque. Annual dues are due each March/April. To be a member of the 4-F Bass Club you must be at least 16 years old. The 4-F Bass Club will accept members who are 14 to 15 years old provided that one of their parents is a member of the club, the parent has to fish in each tournament that the minor fishes, and boaters have a right to refuse to have a minor on their boat.
7. The tournament fee will be $6.00 if paid at the meeting prior to the tournament.
8. Non-Boaters will split all expenses with the boater (50/50). This includes gas (boat and tow vehicle), boat oil, etc. Launch ramp fees will be paid 100% by the non boater. This does not include normal maintenance or damage not caused by the non-boater. The boater is responsible for collecting the non boaters share and has the right to not accept money from the non boater.
9. The boater will provide a cooler for lunches/drinks unless otherwise agreed upon by the partners, however, each person is responsible for their own food and drinks.
10. The boater is required to maintain/provide a safe and operational boat with all required safety equipment (lanyard stop switch, throw cushion, horn, rope, paddle. Each fisherperson is responsible for having a properly fitting Coast Guard approved life jacket. Boat owners in the 4-F Bass Club are required to have liability insurance for their boat.
11. The non-boater will provide his own rain gear and fishing tackle and will wear soft sole shoes so as not to damage the finish of the boat.
12. Each boat will have a flat board measuring stick with one end turned up and measurement increments of 1/4 inch or smaller. No tape measures or yard sticks will be allowed
13. Only artificial baits will be used, no live baits are allowed. Pork chunks are not considered live bait.
14. Records of scores will be maintained by the club.
15. Tournaments will be recognized by awarding place tags for first, second, third, fourth place, and for the biggest Bass.
16. During the tournament no contestant will fish within 50 yards of another contestant unless both boats agree.
17. All tally sheets must be turned in at the designated weigh-in time or you will be assessed 5 points for each 5 minutes you are late and you will be automatically disqualified after 20 minutes. The tournament director keeps the official time.
18. No trolling will be allowed during the tournaments.
19. The non-boater will respect his/her partners boat and will not abuse it. Likewise the boater will treat the non-boater with respect and will allow him access to cast forward and not have to fish used water. The boater and non boater will coordinate fishing spots.
20. The yearly tournament schedule will be decided prior to the start of the tournament year. The Tournaments will be the 2nd Saturday of each month unless an alternate date is decided on by the membership. All dates and scheduled lakes are subject to change by vote of the membership.
21. All pre-launch boat and equipment preparations must be performed before placing the boat on the launch ramp area so as not to tie up the ramp.
22. Anytime the boat is on plane all persons in the boat must have their life jackets on properly and the driver must have his lanyard stop switch engaged.
23. Guest are allowed, however all paid-up non-boaters wanting to fish must be drawn before a boater is allowed to bring a guest, members come first. Guest are required to pay the tournament fee.
24. Changes to these rules must be approved by a majority vote of the members present.
25. Any rule violations must be brought up at the end of the tournament, the tournament leaders decision concerning violations will be final.
26. All contestants must sign a tournament entry and release form for each calendar year, this includes guest. Minors must have a consent for treatment form filled out and signed by a parent or guardian. By agreeing to fish in this clubs tournaments you are waiving and releasing the 4-F Bass Club, its members and other contestants, sponsors and tournament officials from any and all claims for injury and/or damage incurred in connection with these tournaments.
27. The 4-F Bass Club will have two officers, a President, and a Secretary/Treasurer. The president will be responsible for running the meetings, directing the tournaments, and for delegating necessary actions to other members, I.E. picking up T-shirts, hats, etc. The secretary/treasurer will be responsible for keeping the clubs money, maintaining the clubs balance book, keeping minutes of the meetings.
28. Officers are elected for a one year term. Nominations for officers will be held each November, elections will be held each December, the new officers will take office at the January meeting.