Bass Club Digest

But burying your head in the tackle box, if not sand, it is not healthy for a club. And like most problems, not discussing it, is not going to make it go away.
I called several clubs when researching this article and a lot of them said, “We have never had a problem with rule breaking.”

Good for them, I thought. Heck, it’s excellent, actually. But trust me there’s some rule-bending going on out there — somewhere — whether fishermen are ’fessing up, or not.

Sure. Somebody in a club gets caught cheating, with wreckless abandon, and they’re not long a member. That’s a fishing fact. But there’s room for some wiggling in some clubs, and it is not just with the plastic baits. Some rule-bending goes on. Someone leaves a little earlier, than first light, here, arrives a tad late for weigh-in, there, and nothing is said. Life goes on, correct?
Uh-huh, but hedging is still breaking the rules, right?

You bet some members are unhappy, whether they say it or not. And regardless of the weight of rules bent or broken, what should a bass club do about it?

Texas angler Bruce Davis is secretary of the All American Anglers Club (www.allamericananglers.com) in Killen, Texas. The club fishes many of the Lone Star State’s major reservoirs.

“When infractions occur it is always best to take care of it as soon as possible,” Davis said. “But that is just the opposite of what usually happens. People, and especially men, are hesitant to correct other men.

“But yes, I do think it is better for the club to take care of it immediately when it happens. Most of the time, it is going to end in two ways: 1.) The person notified of the infraction will admit to an honest mistake or wrong-doing and promise not to do it again. Or 2.), the person that breaks the rule is a jerk and won’t admit to it, or offer to rectify it, and they leave the club.”
Davis said in most clubs, the tournament director is going to be the one to officially point out an angler’s error of ways. And yes, he said, it can typically end there.

To be meek or mild when addressing the situation is a bad move. Though not exactly turning a blind eye, a casual mention results in nothing getting accomplished. Then the general consensus is that club or tournament rules are not taken seriously.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry, if the infraction is big enough, say someone was cheating to win, most of the time peer pressure will be stiff and swift. That kind of thing is typically not hard for clubs to impose. What get clubs in trouble is all the gray areas.”

Black & White Bylaws Eliminate Gray
Davis said the best thing a club can possibly do is eliminate all gray areas surrounding rules, regulations, etc. in its bylaws. This is a proactive approach.
“You have got to have specific bylaws, no doubt about it,” he said.

Davis has been in several bass clubs over the years. He said he and a friend started the All American Anglers with an idea to design bylaws that are specific and eliminate the gray areas, or any questions for that matter.

“We took all the negative experiences we had over the years and began designing bylaws that would keep such things from happening again. All club members sign them, and it can be changed as, or if, the club sees the need.

“And if everybody reads and signs the bylaws, it certainly eliminates questions later. For example, there is no, ‘I was unaware of the rules.’ Good policies and procedures eliminate a lot of possible problems and/or questions. You join a club, you join its bylaws.”

The reality is that rarely are infractions going to happen. At the club level you often have the low-key, good-old-boy, trust-me deal going on. So, again, to eliminate questions, cover all you can in your bylaws. Have your rules and regulations set up so that things are ran like a pro tournament. Don’t allow the opportunity for infractions to occur. If everybody knows the rules, it really is black and white.

Club-Specific Bylaws
And know, for the betterment of your club, that your bylaws are going to have to be your bylaws.

“There are several organizational bylaws out there, on the Internet or whatever. And looking around at various club websites, etc., I notice that most people just adopt those, print them out and go from there, with no additions.
That is the worst thing you can do. It can be much better for a club, if anglers add and develop their own. Address specific areas for potential problems and don’t be afraid to make additions or changes as needed. Sometimes, the unforeseen can arise. Handle that in the bylaws, and it will be for the better.”

Can’t Hide The Truth
Davis admits some rule breaking may be hard to prove.

“This alone can be destructive to a club. Say you have someone suspected of cheating in a paper tournament. No one says anything and no one can prove anything at tourney time. Still, rest assured some members will discuss it later, on the phone or among themselves.

“I am retired Army, so I am pretty bold. But you see a problem; you should address it. Gossiping behind each other’s backs like schoolgirls does no good for the club. Such things need to be addressed and the sooner they are the better.”

If rules are broken, the bylaws should also be very specific about the end result. It may seem harsh and drastic, but again, it is what makes things run smoothly.

Good Leadership Helps
Another thing that eliminates problems with rules and regulations is good leadership.

“Let’s face it, things run better when someone is in charge that is a good leader. Some people need to be leaders and others don’t. And also, people will want to be a member of a club that is ran well and well organized. Good leaders do this for a variety of groups, from Cub Scouts, to church groups to bass clubs. When things run smoothly, people want to participate.

“Think about this when it comes times to elect officers. Don’t just elect someone to office because, he has never held the position before.

“Likewise, with strong leadership, when an infraction occurs you can rest assured that it will be handled efficiently.”

Use Tact
Infractions go against the norm, so yes, you can bet addressing them are going to make the membership feel uncomfortable.

“The key is getting it out in the open and being tactful. Do not alienate anyone. Point out to the membership that this is something we want to correct more than anything else — so that it will not happen again.

“You do not look at it as, ‘rules were broken and we are going to punish someone.’ That is not good for a club, either,” Davis said.

If a club knows there are rules, what they are, that people will report them and that infractions are apt to be pointed out and rectified, it will take care of itself.

“Hey, it’s a bass club, everybody is supposed to know everybody. They are supposed to be friends. Clubs should be able to work this out.”

Good Regs Make Things Run Right
Davis said all this is nuts and bolts stuff. But all members need to realize that good clubs do not happen by accident. A lot of work goes in to make them succeed.

Gray or non-specific regulations can favor some members while alienating others. The resulting friction can be the downfall of a bass club.

Oh, a club may linger together, with weak bylaws that allow the fudging of rules. Because members love to fish so much, they may not actually quit. Still, there is little doubt if rules and regulations are in black and white, a club will prosper and be much more enjoyable for its membership.

The Basics: When Rules Are Broken

At the very basic, when club rules are broken it is recommended that the following steps be taken.

First, take action and don’t sugar-coat anything. The leadership should address the infraction with the individual.

The problem could end here. If not, bring the infraction(s) to the attention of the membership.

If still not rectified, the gloves come off. The member should be removed from the club.

Is this an enjoyable experience? Of course not, but if the individual is this much of a troublemaker, they are of no benefit to the club anyway.
The club will be better off without rule breakers. — Taylor Wilson

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