This 50-member
club draws from across the Oklahoma City metropolitan
area, in part, because of its reputation for involvement
in youth and conservation projects, for being visible in
the community—and for having fun!
NORTH OKLAHOMA CITY BASSMASTERS
The
North Oklahoma City Bassmasters club focuses on fishing, youth
involvement and conservation. The club holds monthly tournaments
with a different format. They draw for partners prior to each
tournament, pairing
boaters with non-boaters. Partners keep their catch separate
during the tournament and weights are recorded for
end-of-the-year awards and the Top-6 Team. But rather than fish
against each other as in a typical draw format, partners fish
that day as a team, combining weight and sharing in the prizes.
This way it is in an angler’s best interest to see their partner
catch fish, too. The format fosters information and technique
sharing and encourages the experienced anglers to teach the
novices.
As an Oklahoma B.A.S.S. Federation affiliate, members can
fish the State Team Qualifying events. In 2004, three members of
the state’s 12-man team and the Oklahoma representative to the
Federation National Championship were from the North OKC
Bassmasters.
Club members support youth activities, too. They participate
in Casting Kids events during the year and host a fishing day
for 150 kids from Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.
This annual event is the year’s highlight and received the
B.A.S.S. Federation Outstanding Special Event Award in 2000. The
adult club sponsors the OKC Junior Bassmaster Chapter to help
recruit future anglers. Two of the junior club’s members were
the Oklahoma representatives to the
2004 Junior Bassmaster’s World Championship.
The club cooperates with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation, assisting with habitat enhancement projects
and the agency’s tournament data collection program. Members are
kept informed on conservation issues via E-mail and through the
club’s website. Log on at
www.northokcbassmasters.com .
This 50-member club draws from across the Oklahoma City
metropolitan area, in part, because of its reputation for
involvement in youth and conservation projects, for being
visible in the community—and for having fun!
involvement and conservation. The club holds monthly tournaments
with a different format. They draw for partners prior to each
tournament, pairing