The Bass Bandits

In the Fall of 2007 Walker Loveland, Jr. had a vision. He already had a website under the domain NEPAfishing.com. It acted as a communication board for anglers in the northeastern portion of Pennsylvania. This is a website which gives local outdoorsmen an opportunity to post their catches and discuss local lakes. It also acts as a sounding board to discuss aquatic environmental issues and concerns.

During the long winter months Walker Loveland, Jr. introduced the idea of a bass fishing club to his forum members. Collectively they decided to name the club Bass Bandits. It would also have a corresponding website, bassbandits.com. The members consisted of local fisherman from neighboring counties. At first the club was word of mouth or mentioned only on local websites but soon members were recruited and by December 2007 the Bass Bandits had 6 members. In the doldrums of winter the members discussed the possible lakes, tournament times and dates. The members continued to recruit fellow fishermen and by March 2008 the membership grew to double digits.

The first tournament was set to take place in early April at Steven’s Lake. Steven’s is a shallow early season hotspot and approximately 15 people attended. The positive response on the forum was amazing and fishermen were inquiring how to become members of the Bass Bandits. It was satisfying to be an intricate part of something like this and watch it grow from the ground up.

Each week results and pictures are posted on bassbandits.com. A system has been created where members are awarded points for top five placement and attendance. The anglers’ points qualify them to fish in the championship tournament.

Members are competitive, but the main focus is camaraderie. While the fish are being weighed the members openly discuss lure types and hot spots that have been successful. In years passed lure and location discussion were known to be taboo.

The Bass Bandits first tournament season lasted through the Fall of 2008. The members attended two or three tournaments a month. Some lakes were electric motor only where others were unlimited horsepower. The Bass Bandits also fished lakes that had special size regulations and/or slot limits. The club’s first championship was held at Lake Winola in Wyoming County. A founding member named Anderson Boyd Jr. was the victor and became the first Bass Bandits champion.

The members try to meet twice a year to discuss the previous season and possible ideas for next fishing season. Throughout the off-season we communicate online and begin recruiting new members for the upcoming season. As of 2009 the Bass Bandits evolved into a 30-member club. The club is capped off at 30 members to preserve its personality and local hometown flare. The season opener was held at Steven’s Lake in Wyoming County this past April. The championship will be held in mid October at Beltsville Lake, Carbon County.

The members may not be on a professional bass tour but they know how to fish and are very passionate about the club. They are people of different backgrounds who cometogether for one common cause, which is Bass Bandits. Our members’ occupations consist of computer programmers, mechanics and restaurant managers. We even haveseveral members who volunteer their time with the Pennsylvania state park commissioners on structure and stocking programs to ensure the quality of fishing for future generations.

Personal Note: Three years ago I did not angle for bass; I fished only for trout and panfish. Now I am hooked on bass fishing and I find myself fishing more regularly due to my club experience. It has been a pleasure sharing the history of the Bass Bandits with Bass Club Digest and its readers. To my fellow fishermen, northeast Pennsylvania bass fishing is alive and well; and to Walker Loveland Jr. thank you for this opportunity. - Neil Marcen