Club Rules & Regulations 2021

RULES OF WEST CENTRAL BASS CLUB INC.

1. All club meetings will be at 7:30 P.M. the first Tuesday of each month, except there are no meetings scheduled for October and November.

2. All State and Federal laws will be abided by.

3. Alcoholic beverage will be allowed at club functions. Only drugs prescribed by a doctor will be allowed.

4. No member will be allowed to fish a club tournament if he/she owes two or more months of club dues.

5. All contestants must be on time for tournaments. All contestants will take off on time. If a non-boater is left he/she may draw a name from the boaters present at the tournament site. (Three to a boat)

6. All contestants will draw for partners at the club meetings. If there are boaters left after the draw, they can elect to fish together or they can fish with a guest.

7. If a member can not attend monthly meetings he/she must notify an officer or board member by 6:00 P.M. meeting night or call a board member. Excused absences will be for (work/sickness/emergency),only if an officer is notified within 48 hours after a meeting. A courtesy call may be made from meeting place but you will lose your bonus pounds for this meeting.

8. It is recommended that life vest be worn at all times while underway.

9. Contestants can not leave boat to land fish.

10. All fishing must be done from the boat.

11. All fishing must be done with rod and reel with artificial lures. (No live bait)

12. All fish weighed must be 14" or longer. Fish should be measured with mouth closed and tail may be fanned or pinched. If a person tries to weigh a fish under the size limit or in the slot he/she will lose that fish plus 2 pounds from that tournament.

13. Tournament Director will measure smallest fish in each fish bag. If Tournament Director is not available, Board Member has that responsibility and may designate anyone to assist.

14. Only (5) fish will be weighed. Person attempting to weigh more than (5) fish will lose weight of the largest fish in their fish bag.

15. Contestant will be allowed to weigh in their fish if he/she is late for weigh-in up to 15 minutes. 1 pound per minute will be deducted from total weight. Boats must be on the bank by designated weigh-in time. If a contestant's boat breaks down and he/she is unable to get to weigh-in, he/she will be allowed to send his/her fish in by another contestant and they will be weighed in, however, they will not be entitled to any prize money given out if the fish are not in on time.

16. All contestants will remain at the tournament site until all other contestants are accounted for or the tournament chairman is notified.

17. The club will hold eleven (11) point tournaments during the year with (9) counting for points. (2) will be counted for drops.

18. Tournament months are January through September. (1 in January, 1 in February, 2 in March, 2 in April, 1 in May, 1 in: June, July, August,and September) Tournament chairman may elect to have either a day or night tournament, not to exceed eight (8) hours.

19. If a member drops out of the club during the year, there will be a $ 10.00 initiation fee before he can return.

20. All non-boaters will pay a $ 20.00 tournament entry fee to his/her boater partner before leaving landing.

21. It will be the decision of the boater as to whether he lets his partner occupy the front seat.

22. Trolling with the outboard motor will not be permitted. Drift fishing will be allowed.

23. A person must be 15 years old or older to be eligible to become a member of the club. In the event a 15 year old decides to join the club he/she must have a parent or legal guardian who is a member in good standing with the club.

24. A sponsor of a new member must insure that the member has a copy of the rules, has read them and will agree to abide by all the club rules. The new member will be allowed to pay his dues at the tournament site and compete that day for points. A club member sponsoring in a new member may elect to fish with him the first tournament the new member is eligible to fish. If that tournament has been drawn, they will fish the next tournament together.

25. Contestant, whether boater or non-boater, must notify his/her partner at least 24 hours in advance of the tournament he/she is not going to fish. Contestants will be docked 5 pounds unless he/she has a valid excuse. (Board action)

26. Fish will be weighed in a basket provided by club. All fish weighing more than 4 pounds will be released unless it is one that will be mounted.

27. All members attending meetings on time during tournament months will receive 2 bonus pounds. During non-tournament months members will receive 5 pounds. Excused absence, members will receive bonus points for work/sickness/emergency as determined by Board of Directors.

28. At each tournament there will be a big bass pot. The fee is $ 5.00 per person and all contestants must enter their money prior to take off. It is mandatory for all contestants member or guest to enter big bass pot. The fee of $15.00 per person will go towards big stringer.

29. Each member must pay $ 15.00 prior to the first tournament for yearly big bass pot. Largest bass over 6 pounds will receive two thirds of this money and the other one third will go to Fisherman of the Year. In the event no bass is caught during the year over six pounds, the largest bass of the year will receive 50 % of the money with the remaining 50 % being carried over to the new year. This rule is optional for each member, but once they start, they must continue that year.

30. If a member becomes unruly or gets out of line at the club function or tournament, he/she will be assessed a fine by the board. The member will not be allowed to participate in any club function until said fine is paid. This will include profane language.

31. Contestants should maintain the highest level of courtesy possible for other fisherman. This courtesy will include running across weedbeds they are fishing cutting them off from where they are going to fish or fishing within (50) feet of another boat.

32. Contestants shall be required to wear club colors when participating in any tournament. There is a one pound penalty for not wearing either a t-shirt, jacket, or hat.

33. Tournaments can only be canceled at the lake. Inclement weather conditions as determine by Tournament Chairman may cancel tournament telephonically.

34. A member who desires to fish a tournament must put his name in the draw at regularly scheduled meetings. If he does not put his name in the draw, he will not be allowed to fish that tournament, with one exception, a member must have been properly excused from the meeting with an allowable excuse. The president may enter his name into the draw. Board members discretion on an individual basis at the tournament site.

35. All amendments, deletions, new rules, or changes to the rules will be made by majority vote of the membership at the regularly scheduled meeting in January of each year. Changes, amendments, deletions, new rules can only be made by 75% vote of the active members at any participating function.

36. Trailering will be allowed. However contestants must pay the tournament chairman prior to tournament and be back in time for weigh-in. Contestants must fish the same lake as the club. Trailering contestants cannot leave the landing they trailer to until the appointed time set by the tournament chairman.

37. If a boater wants to leave before weigh-in, he will be fined unless both agree to leave.

38. Entry fee for big bass at the best six tournament will be paid by best six team and will be divided as they see fit.

39. The meal that the club pay's for on Saturday night of the best six tournament will also include meals for spouses of the team.

SECTION 2- Making the membership better in bass angling through education.

SECTION 3- Participation in tournaments and to promote tourism for the betterment of Vernon Parish.

SECTION 2- Members outside immediate Leesville area shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the total membership.

SECTION 3- Types of Members:

A. Active Members - Any member who has been introduced and sponsored by a member into the Club and whose dues are current.

B. Honorary Members- Honorary membership shall be for outstanding cases, such generous treatment to the club by any persons. The honorary member shall be elected by members and approved by the directors. The honorary Member shall have all the privileges of regular members, except he/she shall not have Best Six or voting privileges.

SECTION 4- Requirements:

A. Prospective members must be sponsored for membership by an active member in good standing, until final approval has been granted.

B. Each member is required to participate in at least 1/3 of the tournaments per year, and is required to pay monthly dues each month.

C. The setting of tournaments and prizes will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and subject to the approval of the members of the club.

A. President

B. Vice President

C. Secretary/Treasurer

D. Two (2) Board Members (Number of Board Members subject to change to stay in pace with growth of the club).

SECTION 2- Election of Officers:

A. Nominations for the election of Officers and Directors shall be taken by a nomination committee appointed by the President. Ballot presented to the general membership in January of each calendar year.

B. A member does not have to serve as a Officer or Director before he/she will be eligible to be nominated for President.

SECTION 3- Duties of Officers:

A. The President shall call meeting to order, preside at all business meetings, call special meetings as required, shall appoint all committees as required and be an ex-officio member of all committees, vote only as a tie -breaker and draw for a tournament chairman for each tournament.

B. The Vice President shall assist the President and act in his absence, Conduct drawing for partners at monthly meeting, and keep the minutes of all meetings, read the minutes of the previous meeting.

C. The Secretary/Treasurer shall collect monthly dues, enroll new members and attend to correspondence. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements and shall render a report at monthly meetings. He/she also will be responsible for disbursement of Club emblems and other articles paid for by the Club. Make reservations for the club to fish the Best Six. Place order for awards and insure they are at the meeting. Order all apparels.

D. Tournament Chairman shall take roll call; ensure scales are at each tournament and record weights at the tournaments; use an assistant to check the size, number and condition of fish (Note: The smallest fish on each stringer will be measured, any questionable fish will be brought to the attention of the Officers of the Board); provide a copy of standings at each regular meeting and ensure that scales are at each tournament. Quarter pound penalty for a dead fish.

E. Board Members shall vote in all club elections and serve in any capacity deemed necessary.

SECTION 2- Meetings may be called when deemed necessary by the Officers after giving the membership seven (7) days advance notice, the exception being a case of emergency, in which case, said meeting can be called on a twenty-four (24) hour notice.

SECTION 2- Dues shall be $ 5.00 per month, payable annually or monthly as the member may choose. Should a member become delinquent, he shall not be eligible to participate in any club activity. Should a member become six (6) months delinquent, he/she shall be dropped from the roll.

SECTION 3- Payments due as follows:
ALBC Membership: 1 March Tel:337-322-0061 Maxine Trahan
Best Six: 15 April Tel: 504-559-252 Elray Boudreaux
State Annual Report: 17 May Tel: 225-925-4704

A. Unsportsmanship - The threatening of Club Officers, members, or the Club itself with violence, subterfuge, legal action or other ungentlemen/unlady like behavior.

B. Unclean or sloppy general appearance at any function where the Club is represented.

SECTION 2- All funds received shall be used for the operation and advancement of the club.

SECTION 3- The written or verbal consent of the majority of the Directors is necessary for any expenditure in excess of $ 30.00.

SECTION 4- Authorization for reimbursement for travel expense shall be approved by a simple majority of the attending general membership at the appropriate regular meeting.

SECTION 5- There will be a petty cash fund designated for secretarial items in the amount of $ 20.00.

SECTION 2- All other matters requiring a vote shall be by a majority of attending voting members unless noted.

A. Tournament Chairman will announce starting place, start time and weigh-in time of the tournament on majority rule.

B. Be official starter of the tournament by having each contestant pass his location in single file, for a visual inspection of boats. The tournament chairman should position his boat approximately 100 yards from the launch site. After passing tournament chairman, the contestants may continue on to desired fishing location.

C. Settle any disputes that might arise that is not covered in these rules, to the best of his ability and in the best interest of the club.

D. Collect, hold and record names of contestants who put up big bass money and give to the winner after each tournament.

E. In the event the tournament chairman is not available, the Board of Directors will assume the duties of the weigh master and may appoint someone else to assist in the weigh in.

SECTION 2- Tournament Times and Dates:

A. All tournament dates for the year will be set no later than the January meeting each year. In the event it becomes necessary to change a tournament date, it will be discussed by the board and voted on by the membership.

B. Should the club vote to hold an open tournament, they will at that time state who will be eligible to fish, set fees, location, date and time of the tournament.

SECTION 3- Participants and Eligibility:

A. Regular tournaments will be open to club members that are in good standing and have not been notified of any adverse action against them.

B. No member may fish if he is two months or more behind in club dues until said dues are paid.

C. In the event it becomes necessary to disqualify a contestant, each subsequent winner will move up.

SECTION 4- Baits, Tackle and Equipment:

A. Any boat may be used, provided ,in the opinion of the tournament chairman it is safe and endangers no one. For night tournaments all boats must have running lights that are operational.

B. Only artificial lures may be used. Pork or pork rind strips, pork lizards or pork frogs may be used. (NO LIVE BAIT)

C. Standard equipment may be used to measure depth, temperature, oxygen content or barometric pressure, provided it is not illegal by state law.

SECTION 5- Prizes:

A. All monies for regular tournaments will be awarded following the tournament. The number of contestants entering the tournament will determine the number of awards to be awarded

a. 1 thru 19 contestants 2 places 60/40 %

b. 20 or more contestants 3 places 50/30/20 %

B. End of the year awards will be as follows:

a. Fisherman of the Year will receive a trophy or plaque.

b. Most improved fisherman as selected by the board.

c. Biggest bass of the year.

d. Heaviest stringer of the year.

e. Sportsmanship as selected by membership vote.

f. Lunker patch for 5 pounds and over.

g. Award for top eight fisherman.

h. Expense trip to Best Six, including two (2) alternates.

i. Hard luck fisherman award.

j. In the event that one person wins fisherman of the year, biggest bass of the year and heaviest stringer of the year, there will be a special award given to that person.

k. A door prize will be drawn at each regular meeting. The winner will get one month club dues free.

SECTION 6- Scoring:

A. Scoring will be determined by the point system. Winners will be decided on total points accumulated during the year.

B. One point will be awarded for each pound of weight.

C. Bonus points will be awarded at regular scheduled meetings (2 points on tournament months and 5 points on non tournament months). Excused absence, members will receive bonus points for work/sickness/emergency as determined by Board of Directors. <

Bold print denotes changes imposed for the year 2021.