The Lakeland Bassmasters

ARTICLE I - Name and Purpose
Section 1 - Name
This club shall be called Lakeland Bassmasters.

Section 2 - Purpose
To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport; to offer our state conservation department our organized moral and political support and encouragement; to promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards; to detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to this crime; to improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of bass fishing techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing, and a love for this great recreation; to function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of the Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, embracing the principles and purposes of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.

Section 3 - General Membership Meetings
Meetings will be held bi-monthly throughout the calendar year starting at 7:00 P.M. The meeting place and schedule will be determined by the Club President.

Section 4 - Board Meetings
The Executive Board will meet monthly, or as needed, at a time and place determined by the President.

ARTICLE II – Membership
Section 1 - Number of Members
This organization shall start with no less than six (6) members. A goal of this organization is to maintain a boater to no-boater ratio of no more than 40% non-boaters.

Section 2 - Requirements for Membership
To become a member of the Lakeland Bassmasters, a person shall:
a. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership
b. Be recommended by one (1) member at a regular club meeting
c. Attend a new member orientation at a general membership meeting prior to being voted upon for membership - prospective member will be asked to leave the meeting room during the vote
d. Be at least 18 years old.

Section 3 - Membership Dues
The membership dues shall be $20.00 per year, payable on or before the first meeting in January.

Section 4 - Removal from Membership
A member shall be expelled from the club for any of the following:
a. Failure to pay club dues and/or tournament fees
b. Any action which would reflect disgrace or dishonor on the club.
c. Any unsportsmanlike-like conduct against the club, club members, or the general public.
Accusations and disputes pertaining to the club must be presented to the Executive Committee (with the exception of protests arising from tournament rules). This can be done by contacting an officer to report the problem. That officer will contact members of the Executive Committee and present the problem for discussion. Matters of great importance will require appearance before the Executive Committee for all parties involved.
At the meeting following discussion by the Executive Committee, the Club Secretary will present the accusation(s) and any and all events pertaining to it. The accused member will be given reasonable time to state his position. He will then be asked to step out of the meeting room and the matter will be voted upon by the general membership. Removal from membership requires at least a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present. Any parties involved in the accusation may be subject to a polygraph test based upon presentation of a signed, written formal request. Such test will be at the expense of the Lakeland Bassmasters.

ARTICLE III - B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Affiliation

Section 1 - B.A.S.S. Requirements of the Club
a. The Lakeland Bassmasters will, at all times, maintain at least six (6) members.
b. A complete membership roster will be submitted to the National B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation Department at least once-a-year.
c. The Lakeland Bassmasters will affiliate with the Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and support its conservation and youth programs.

Section 2 - Individual Member Requirements
a. All members of the Lakeland Bassmasters must also be members in good standing of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, the B.A.S.S National Federation, and the Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
b. B.A.S.S. National Federation dues are $20.00 per year payable to the Club Treasurer.
c. Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation dues are $15.00 per year is also payable to the Club Treasurer.
d. Becoming a member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society is the responsibility of each individual member and is not payable to the Club Treasurer.

ARTICLE IV - Officers, Elections, Vacancies, and Eligibility

Section 1 - Nominations and Elections
a. The nomination of officers will be held annually starting at the first regular meeting in October and continue at each meeting until the election is complete.
b. Election of officers will be by simple majority of members present at the first regular meeting in November. All votes will be cast by secret ballot.
c. Election of each officer shall be held separately in order as listed in Article IV, Section VI.

Section 2 - Eligibility of Candidate
To be eligible for an elected office, the member must be a member in good standing for at least 6 months.

Section 3 - Term of Office
The term of office is one (1) year, beginning with the conclusion of the annual banquet, at which new club officers are installed.

Section 4 - Replacement of officers
Should a current officer be unable or unwilling to complete his term, the Executive Committee will determine if a replacement is necessary and will make arrangements to fill the office, if required.

Section 5 - Voter Eligibility
Each member in good standing is entitled to one vote per elected office.

Section 6 - Officers and Their Duties
a. President - Preside over all general membership and Executive Board meetings. Appoint and direct committees as necessary. The president is the spokesman and representative for the club.
b. Membership Committee Vice-president - Assist president in his duties and preside over meetings in president’s absence. Chairman of the Membership Committee will also conduct the raffle at each meeting. The VP will secure door prizes and sell raffle tickets for door prizes for the purpose of raising money toward the year-end draw at the annual banquet.
c. Educational vice-president – will be responsible for providing six (6) (minimum) bass-oriented programs for general membership meetings.
d. Treasurer - Maintain club financial records. He will also act as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and provide a report of the financial status of the club at each general membership meeting. He will provide an annual budget forecast and provide a printed quarterly financial report to the general membership. He is responsible for disbursing checks, collecting money, and performing all bank transactions.
e. Secretary - Maintain accurate minutes of all business meetings and submit minutes for approval to the general membership at each meeting. Distributes quarterly membership rosters. Issue and maintain membership applications. Maintain records of all current B.A.S.S. memberships.
f. Tournament Director – Chairs the Tournament Committee and submits the annual tournament schedule on or before the annual awards banquet in December. He is responsible for all tournament-related activities including having available tournament rules and schedules for members.  He is responsible for procuring exemption slips  for Club tournaments.

Section 7 - Executive Committee
The elected officers outlined in Section VI and the immediate past president of the club shall make up this committee.

Section 8 - Standing committees
a. Tournament Committee - Responsible for determining sites and dates of all club tournaments, conducting club draws and tournaments, and enforcing tournament rules and procedures. Number of committee members shall not exceed eight (8). Tournament Director is responsible for adding or replacing committee members as needed. The immediate past Tournament Director is to be a member of this committee.
b. Membership Committee - Responsible for promoting new membership and conducting new member orientations.
c. By-Law Committee - Consists of the Executive Committee and is responsible for collecting and reviewing any proposed changes to the constitution or by-laws. Any member desiring a change in the constitution or by-laws shall present the proposed change to this committee prior to introducing them to the general membership.
d. Ways and Means Committee - Responsible for studying, proposing, and submitting any fund-raising projects or programs to the general membership. All such programs or projects shall be submitted to the membership by the second meeting in February. Works with Treasurer to ensure a balanced budget. Members are encouraged to bring proposals for projects or programs, along with information on costs and expected profits, to this committee for review any time during the year.

ARTICLE V - Revisions or Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1- Amendments and Changes
The constitution may be amended at any general membership meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one general membership meeting prior to the vote. The amendment shall be posted on the Club website.

ARTICLE VI - Rules of Order

Section 1-Governing Articles
“Robert’s Rules of Order” shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered in the constitution or the by-laws. The President will appoint a parliamentarian.

ARTICLE VII - Year-end Door Prizes

Section 1-Draw for Door Prizes
.There will be a drawing at the annual banquet for door prizes at which time each member will receive one (1) ticket for the drawing for each $5.00 spent during the year on the raffle conducted at each general membership meeting. In addition, each member will receive one ticket for the drawing for each month in which the member attended both general membership meetings (i.e., attendance at all general membership meetings will earn each member twelve (12) bonus tickets in addition to the tickets earned for each $5.00 spent).

ARTICLE VIII-BY-LAWS OF THE LAKELAND BASSMASTERS

Section 1. By-law Revisions
By-law changes shall be made in the same fashion as changes to the Constitution, as explained in Article V of the Constitution.

Section 2. Insurance and Liability
The club shall assume no responsibility or liability for injuries, damage, or theft of personal property during any club function. The club will not pay for insurance covering any individual member, as this is a not-for-profit organization.

Section 3. Club Banquet
The club will host an end-of-year banquet for the purpose of recognizing achievements of individual club members and installation of elected officers for the coming year. Members shall be responsible for the cost of meal expenses beyond what was contributed through tournament fees.

Section 4- Tournament Formats and Criteria
a. - Regular Tournament Fees
(1). The cost for a one-day tournament is $35; a two day tournament is $50.00. From each tournament the Club will withhold: $4.00 to banquet fund; $8.00 to classic fund; $1.00 for the ladies prizes at the banquet. An optional big bass pot fee of $5.00 per day is also available for those members who wish to participate; and an optional team pot at a cost of $5.00 per member.
(2)  All entry fees due must be paid prior to take-off on tournament morning.
(3) If a participant cannot fish a tournament for which an entry fee has been paid, the entry fee may be carried over for only one tournament, provided Tournament Committee or Board Member is notified 12 hours in advance.
b. - Regular Tournament Payback
(1) The amount of regular club tournament payback will be based on the number of anglers. One place will be paid for every ten (10) anglers participating.
(2)  Money will be distributed at the next meeting following a tournament.
c. - The Tournament Draw
(1) All regular club tournaments will be draw format tournaments, where boaters and non-boaters are randomly paired by draw.
(2) No more than two (2) contestants will ever be drawn to fish out of a single boat.
(3) Draw for tournament partners will be held at a general membership meeting prior to the tournament.
(4) Intention to fish the tournament must be made known the night of the draw to the Tournament Director or Treasurer in order to be eligible for tournament pairing - except as outlined in the provisions of Section IX below (the 48-hour rule).
(5) No two (2) members may be drawn as partners in consecutive month’s tournaments (i.e., no back-to-back draws).
(6) No two (2) members may fish as partners more than twice during the tournament year.
(7)  Either member drawn as partners during a draw has the option of having his name placed back in the draw for a different partner. Either member must let the Tournament Director know immediately at the time of the pairing his desire to be re-drawn. Requests prior to the draw to not be drawn with another member will not be accepted, nor will requests for a different partner after the draw is finished
d. - Pertaining to partners and new members
(1)  Partners shall decide between themselves such matters as meeting time, life jackets, transportation, etc.
(2)  Each partner will be granted one-half (1/2) of the day’s choice of fishing location. Boat owner will be granted first choice.
(3) Any boaters not paired with a non-boater during the draw may go up one (1) position or down one (1) position in the draw to secure another boater as a partner, if desired. This may only be done after the “48-hour rule” period (see section IX) has expired and the Tournament Director has been notified.
(4) The non-boater must pay operating expenses of not less than $30.00 per day, minimum. In the event the non-boater fails to pay the expense, the offending member’s debt may be turned over to the Club Treasurer for collection. Failure to pay the Treasurer will make the member ineligible to fish any further club tournaments until the debt is settled.
(5) A new member is allowed to fish his first tournament with the member that sponsored him into the club, provided the new member has not won a tournament on the lake scheduled to be fished within 30 days of the scheduled date of that tournament.
e. - Pertaining to club tournaments
(1)  Club tournaments are subject to cancellation or postponement at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.
(2)The Tournament Committee will determine any restricted or off-limits areas. Members will be notified of these prior to the draw.
f. - Pertaining to boats and boaters
(1)  All boats must meet U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements.
(2) All boats must be equipped with a safety kill switch that must be attached to the driver while the boat is on plane.
(3) All boats must be equipped with at least one working aerated live well.
(4) No airboats may be used to fish club tournaments.
(5) The Lakeland Bassmasters requires that all boaters be covered by at least a $300,000 liability insurance policy. Proof of insurance must be provided to the club secretary and updated when renewed.
g. - 48-Hour Rule
(1) Members who, for whatever reason, intend to fish a club tournament but miss the draw are allowed to enter the tournament by contacting the Tournament Director within 48 hours of the completion of the draw. Each member is allowed to do this two (2) times during the tournament year.
(2) Any member exercising the 48-hour rule will be paired as a non-boater for that tournament unless the boater/non-boater pairing is too close to endanger the participation of a non-boater (see section III, item c above). The Tournament Director, at his discretion, may allow the member to use his boat in that situation.
h. – The Classic Tournament
(1) The club will hold at least one (1) Classic tournament after the end of the regular tournament season. Anglers must qualify for the Classic tournament by meeting any one (1) of the following criteria:
(a) Must fish six (6) or more regular club tournaments and finish in the top 20 positions, based on Angler of the Year Standings.
(b) Must fish six (6) or more regular club tournaments and finish as one of the top 5 non-boaters, based on Angler of the Year Standings.
(c) Must fish eight (8) or more regular club tournaments during the year.
(2) The Tournament Committee will determine the Classic tournament date and site.
(3) Payout for the Classic will be “by the ounce”. If a contestant catches a legal fish, he receives a check. The winner receives $300.00; second place-$200.00 and third lace $100.00 from the Classic Fund, plus the money paid “by the ounce” for the weight of their fish. Payout for remaining contestants is “by the ounce”. Following is the formula to be used in determining the “dollar per ounce” figure upon which all payouts are based: Divide the total money in the Classic Fund, minus $100, by the total weight (in ounces) of all fish caught by all contestants. For example, assume that $2,500 exists in the Classic fund and that the total weight of all fish caught by all contestants during Classic I is 1,200 ounces. The “dollar per ounce” figure used to calculate each member’s payback is ($2,500 - $100) / 1200 ounces = $2 per ounce. If the winner caught 200 ounces of fish, his check would be figured as 100 + (200 x 2) = $500. If the 2nd place finisher caught 160 ounces of fish, his check would be figured as 160 x 2 = $320.
(4) Classic tournament contestants will decide amongst themselves whether they draw for partners or fish alone.
(6) Payback for the Classic will not exceed the amount accumulated in the Classic Fund unless voted by the general membership.
i. – Angler of the Year Calculations
(1) The basis for determining the Angler of the Year will be based on each angler’s finish in each tournament fished. Points will be awarded on a cumulative basis throughout the year. The Angler of the Year calculations are used for determining Classic tournament participation and top-10 angler awards.
(2). Participants not catching a fish receive 10 points less than the last person earning points with a legal fish. The member must have paid his entry fee and be present at the tournament site prior to take-off in order to be awarded the participation points for that tournament.
(3). Each single day tournament is based on a 100 points system. The points will be awarded as follows:

(4) . Two day tournaments-Points awarded are doubled for a two day tournament. In that case, the first place angler is awarded 200 points, etc.
(5). In the event of a  tie for placement in a tournament, Angler of the Year Points will be awarded  as follows: Angler of the Year Points will be awarded for the place of the tied position and each competitor tied will receive equal points for that position.
j. - Weight Calculations
(1) Regular tournament payout is based on the total net weight of fish caught by each contestant
(2). There will be a four-ounce penalty for each dead fish weighed in.
k. - Tournament Disqualification
(1) A person may be disqualified from a tournament for any infraction of a by-law or tournament rule.
(2). The Tournament Committee shall judge all infractions resulting in disqualification.
(3). Disqualification from a tournament carries the following consequences:
(a). The weight of any fish caught is forfeited.
(b). Any Angler of the Year points for this tournament is forfeited.
(c). All entry fees are forfeited.

ARTICLE IX- Miscellaneous Awards

Section 1 - Big Bass of the Year
a. The member catching the biggest bass caught during the tournament year will be awarded a trophy at the annual banquet and all monies escrowed for the biggest bass of the year.
b. Biggest bass must be caught during a regular club tournament (i.e., not during a club open or Classic tournament).
c. $1.00 per fisherman per tournament will be escrowed for the year-end banquet presentation.

Section 2 – Co-Angler of the Year
a. At the end of the year the top 10 Co-Anglers will be recognized at the banquet. The top 5 will receive a tournament shirt or a trophy. Co-Anglers 6-10 will receive extra tickets toward the Banquet drawing. The Co-Angler in 6th will receive 15 tickets, 7th will receive 13 tickets, 8th will receive 12 tickets, 9th will receive 11 tickets, and 10th will receive 10 tickets. To qualify for the Co-Angler awards you must have been a Non-boater the entire tournament season, unless extra boaters are needed during the tournament season. The $100.00 award now available will be waived.
ARTICLE X-Tournament Rules

Section 1. Tournament Rule Revisions
Tournament rules may be amended at any general membership meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership present, and will require notification in writing to all members.

Section 2. Tournament Rules
a. - Local, State, and Federal Laws
(1) All local, state, and federal laws and regulations must be adhered to. Local, state, and federal laws supersede all Lakeland Bassmasters tournament rules and by-laws should there be a conflict.
b. - Pre-tournament, Take-offs, and Late Arrivals
(1). A general boat check will be performed by the Tournament Committee prior to take-off.
(2). Tournament take-offs will be called by the last member drawn during tournament pairing. All boats will take off in sequence as drawn during the tournament pairing.
(3). If a member is late arriving at the tournament site, he may commence fishing after having his boat checked by a club member.
c. - On the Water
(1). Each contestant must remain with his partner from start of tournament until weigh-in. No contestant will leave the boat during tournament hours for any reason except an emergency. Thunderstorms in the immediate area are classified as emergencies.
(2). Coast Guard approved chest-type life jackets must be furnished by each contestant and must be worn whenever the boat is on plane. Contestant WILL be disqualified for not complying with this rule.
(3). Any contestant asking for, offering to take, or accepting fish from his partner or any other source will mean immediate suspension from club. “If you don’t catch it, don’t weigh it” - no exceptions.
(4). No contestant shall approach within 50 yards of another tournament boat whose anchor is down and trolling motor is up without first gaining permission.
(5). Regulations concerning speed in canals, no-wake zones, and minimum wake zones will be observed at all times. Courtesy and respect for others is mandatory.
(6). NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES or illegal drugs may be consumed during tournament hours.
(7). In case of boat problems, fish may be transferred to another boat provided they can be kept separate for weigh-in purposes. The contestant does not have to be present at weigh-in if he feels further damage or danger could result from him leaving the boat or his partner.
(8). If, by mutual agreement, both contestants in a boat wish to leave prior to weigh-in, they may do so if a club member is notified. In case of an emergency, every effort should be made to notify another contestant of the situation.
d. - Legal Fishing Equipment and Baits
(1). Only bait casting, spin casting, and spinning rods and reels may be used.
(2). No rods over eight (8) feet in length allowed.
(3). Only artificial baits can be used. Absolutely no live or prepared baits allowed, with the exception of pork strips/rinds.
e. - Legal fishing methods
(1). Trolling with gasoline motor is prohibited.
(2). No intentional snagging or snatching of fish allowed.
(3). Each contestant is allowed only one (1) fishing line in the water at any time.
f. - Pertaining to the Fish
(1). Five (5) largemouth bass may be brought to the scales for weigh-in.
(2). All fish must be fourteen (14) inches long or longer, as measured with the mouth closed and the tail pinched on a golden rule. No “courtesy checks” will be given. Contestant will be disqualified for bringing a short fish to the scales.
(3). Only one (1) fish over twenty-two (22) inches may be weighed-in, as measured with the mouth closed and the tail pinched on a golden rule (same method as checking for short fish). Contestant will be disqualified for bringing more than one (1) fish over twenty-two (22) inches to the scales.
(4). Either or both of items 2 and 3 directly above may be waived based on the granting of a permit to the club by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission to keep fish that are less than fourteen (14) inches in length or to keep multiple fish over twenty-two (22) inches in length. The Tournament Director will advise all contestants of the granting and the stipulations of such a permit at both the draw and prior to take-off on tournament morning.
(5). Mutilating, stretching, or squashing fish in an attempt to alter the length of a fish (either longer or shorter) will result in disqualification.
g. - Pertaining to the Weigh-in
(1). A penalty of one (1) pound per minute will be imposed on contestants that are late to weigh-in site. After 15 minutes, both contestants will lose all weight they have caught, but will not lose participation Angler of the Year points for that day.
(2). Boats shall remain in the water until both contestants have weighed in. Contestants not having any fish may put their boats on the trailer prior to completion of weigh-in.
(3). No fish will be released by a contestant from his or his partner’s boat at the weigh-in site (i.e., no “culling” at the ramp).
(4). A member of the Tournament Committee or club member will release all fish.
(5). Any protests relating to a tournament shall be made within 30 minutes of the completion of weigh-in. The Tournament Committee, along with an officer of the club, shall judge any infractions.
(6). During official competition, a competitor may not use a CB radio, VHF marine-band radio, cellular phone, or any other type of communication device for the purpose of locating or catching fish. Contestants are permitted to transmit by radio or telephone during the tournament, only in the event of an emergency.
h. - Flagrant Violations
1. Any flagrant violations of the above rules will result in disqualification of the violator. His partner may also be disqualified if he fails to report the violation.
g - Boat Equipment
(1). All boats must be equipped with a rear seat for the co-angler
(2). A non-boater must provide their own life jacket.
(3). Minimum Boat Requirements for Club Tournament
a. 17 ft. in length
b. 115 HP Engine
c. Trolling Motor
d. Either 2 separate functioning aerators or 1 functioning aerator that is big enough to hold 2 limits of 5 fish
e. Both bow and stern working navigation lights
f. fire extinguisher
g. floating throw cushion
h. Seat for Co-Angler (butt seat acceptable).
i. Functioning Kill Switch attached to the driver when on plane.
j. Any other additional Coast Guard Safety Equipment that is required by Law.