ABOUT US

Welcome to the DFW Bassmasters Bass Club. Our club was created in February, 2007.  It is our goal to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing. We encourage, facilitate, and promote youth fishing activities and education and a love for this great recreation. It is also our goal to improve skills as anglers through a fellowship of competition and a sharing of knowledge with fellow club members. We will fish 12 club tournaments a year using a point system for qualification for end of year awards. We are an individual based club, however we will have three Team tournaments per year, and we have an End of the Year Championship. We may also have one 2 day tournament per year. Please feel free to contact any officer or member of the club regarding membership or sponsorship.

OFFICERS 2025

Membership

Section 1. Requirements for Regular Membership

To become a DFW Bassmasters club member, a person shall;

• · (a) Voluntarily express a true interest in becoming a member and supporting the clubs purpose.
• (b) Pay the Annual membership dues
• · (c) Be 16 years of age or older to be in an adult club.

Section 2. Membership Dues

The regular club membership dues shall be $15 annually for new members and for existing member per year. If you are age 65 and over on Jan 1, 2025 your membership dues will be $5. Your regular club membership includes you, your spouse, and your kids 17 years old and under.  There are no pro-rations.

Section 3. Membership meetings

The membership shall hold regular meetings at pre-established locations and times.

Section 4. Membership Duration

Membership shall be by calendar year.

Section 5. Any person that fishes any regular club tournament that is not interested in membership into the club may fish with the invitation of a member no more than 3 times per year. The guest must fish with an existing club member.

 

Bylaws of the DFW Bassmasters 2025  revised 12.15.2024

ARTICLE I- Club Name

The club shall be known as the DFW Bassmasters. We are based out of the Dallas/ Fort Worth metro area in Northeast Texas. We have in the past and may again in the future affiliate DFW Bassmasters with the Texas Chapter of The Bass Federation (TBF), Inc. with a required 6 members

ARTICLE II- Club Purpose

The general purposes of this nonprofit chapter club are:

(a) To facilitate the organized support, protection, education, and encouragement of sport fishing, youth, and conservation at all levels and to "partner" with other like minded groups to do the same.

(b) More particularly stated, purposes of the club include the following; To establish and maintain an organization for the support of sport fishing, and all related recreational and educational fishing, youth and conservation activities conducted in a safe manner. To stimulate the public awareness of angling as a major sport. To educate the public upon the positive economic impact of angling at the national, state, and local levels. To offer our state fish and wildlife agencies our organized, conservation feedback, input, political and legislative support and assistance. To promote full adherence to conservation codes, clean water standards, and industry accepted practices which impact the sport of fishing. To support and demand adequate water quality standards, fisheries habitat and fisheries resource management. To protect and guard anglers right's and demand unfettered, responsible access to all public waters and facilities, built, supported or otherwise funded in whole or in part by public funds. To detect and report polluters or violators of fish and wildlife conservation laws and to expose violators publicly and focus political or legal attention upon such violations. To encourage, facilitate and promote youth fishing activities and education and a love for this great recreation. To work to improve our skills as anglers through fellowship and camaraderie of friendly exchanges of fish catching techniques. To teach and promote safe boating and on the water practices. Our club will function as a dynamic and effective link with our affiliated State Federation and other like-minded groups.

(c) From time to time to sponsor fishing tournaments for the purpose of stimulating interest and to promote healthy competition between club members and between this club and other clubs of a like nature.

ARTICLE III- Membership

Section 1. Minimum Number of Members

The club shall begin with and maintain at a minimum at least six members that are at least 16 years of age or older.

Section 2. Requirements for Regular Membership

To become a DFW Bassmasters club member, a person shall;

• (a) Voluntarily express a true interest in becoming a member and supporting the clubs purpose.
• (b) Pay the annual membership dues
• (c) membership can be canceled for flagrant rule violations, any action that would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the club, or by recommendation of the officers with a 2/3 majority vote of the members present at the next meeting

Section 4. Membership Dues

The regular club membership dues shall be $15 annually for new members and for existing member per year. If you are age 65 and over on Jan 1 your membership dues will be $5. Your regular club membership includes you, your spouse, and your kids 17 years old and under. There are no pro-rations.

Section 5. Membership meetings

The membership shall hold regular meetings at pre-established locations and times about once a quarter.

Section 6. Membership Duration

Membership shall be by calendar year.

Section 7. Guests

Any person that fishes any regular club tournament that is not a member may fish with the invitation of a member no more than 3 times per year. If that guest decides later to become a member we will count all of his tournaments for the year in standings and will be eligible for end of the year awards. That guest will be required to either fish with the person inviting him or must have another person fishing with him.

ARTICLE IV- Officers

Section 1: Eligibility for Holding Office

To be eligible for an office a member must;

• (a) Have been a member for six months and fished in at least 4 club tournaments the prior year.
• (c) Have shown an active interest in all club functions.

• Section 2: Elections

Nominations for officers will be accepted at our 3rd quarter meeting. The election of officers shall be held annually at a regular meeting during the month of December. Election shall be by simple majority of members present.

Section 3: Eligibility of Vote

Each member of the club in good standing is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.

Section 4: Term of Office

The term of office is for one year, which shall begin on Jan 1, and end on Dec 31st or until the successor assumes office.

Section 5: Vacancies

In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked for and an election held to fill the un-expired term of the individual vacating the office.

Section 6: Officers and Their Duties

• (a) President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and be an ex-officio member of all committees. Supervise all club functions.
• (b) Vice President: Assumes the duties of the President if he is absent. Also will act as Assistant Tournament Director.
• (c) Secretary/Treasurer: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called for by the club president. Collect and disperse all moneys. Maintain accurate financial records and make sure it is posted on our web site.  Submits a treasurers report at meetings, and monitors the Club’s checking account.
• (d)Web Master/ Youth Director: Organize all youth activities and programs, including our Annual Youth Tournament. Maintains clubs web site.
• (e) Tournament Director: Schedules the dates, times, and launch sites of the voted in lakes for all tournaments. Measures and weighs fish. Maintains clubs scales. Enforces all tournament rules, and collects entry fees and disperses winnings at each tournament.

• ARTICLE V -Standing Committees

All Standing Committees will serve for one year or until a new committee is appointed. The terms of the committee members will coincide with that of the president. Each committee shall elect a chairman.

• (a) Executive Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of four (4) members: President, Vice-president, Treasurer, Tournament Director

• (1) The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.

(2) The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.

(3) The board will decide all protest and rule on all violations of the tournament rules and bylaws of the club when appropriately received.

 

• ARTICLE VI- Disciplinary actions

Section 1. Removal of Membership

A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons;

• (a) Failure to pay dues
• (b) Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the club, state federation, or TBF, Inc. 
• (c) Flagrant rule violations or by recommendation of 2/3 of members present at next meeting

• Section 2. Actions other than removal of membership

• (a) These actions shall be recommended by the Executive Board of Directors and shall include but not be limited to reduction of membership status in lieu of removal, or any other action felt necessary by the Board. Any action recommended by the Board and not specifically spelled out in this document shall require a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.

• Section 3: Membership recall

Any membership can be recalled by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership. At any time, for any reason.

ARTICLE VII- Method of Amending the Bylaws

Section 1. Amending the Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended only at our 4th quarter meeting of each year and will require a majority vote. The amendments must be put in writing on or before the final club tournament of the year so that it can be published to all members and presented for vote at our Annual Banquet. The amendments will be in effect the following calendar year if passed.

ARTICLE VIII. MONTHLY CLUB TOURNAMENTS

A. TOURNAMENT FEES, EXPENSES, AND PAY OUTS

1. FEES

a. Entry fee for each tournament is $33.00 per person and the Team Tournaments will be $66 per boat. The entry fee is due and payable prior to the event unless you have made arrangements with the tournament director

b. (Optional) Entry fee for the Calcutta 6 # pot” award is $2.00 per tournament to be paid to the first (1^st) person weighing in a fish of six pounds (6#) or better in a club tournament. Members only wishing to enter Calcutta after initial month must back pay prior months of entry. Once the Calcutta gets up to $200 their will be no-one else that can get in it until it is won. Once the Calcutta gets up to $500 we will no longer collect the $2 until it is won.  If more than one (1) bass over six pounds (6#) is weighed, largest takes all. All money must be paid prior to tournament start. Winner must be a member to be eligible. In case of a tie, money will be split

c. An Additional Fee of $5 for up to 8 events a year is a voluntary fee for the end of year chamionship.  You must fish 6 events and pay 8 of the $5 fees to qualify.  The end of year championship will also require a small entry fee and we will pay the Top 6 at that event and it will be 100% payback.

2.. PAY OUTS

a. The club will keep the 1st $50 for every club tournament. The remaining will be dispersed as follows;

ENTRIES	HEAVY STRINGER	1stBIG BASS / 2ndBIG BASS
1-15	50%, 30%, 20%	$5 PER ENTRY / $3 PER ENTRY
16-25	40%, 30%, 20%, 10%	$5 PER ENTRY / $3 PER ENTRY
26-40	37%, 25%, 17%, 13%, 8%	$5 PER ENTRY / $3 PER ENTRY

b. Anglers or Teams can only win 1 big bass prize each tournament. Weigh your biggest fish. If only 1 fish is weighed in the tournament only the 1^stplace Big Bass prize is awarded. Second place Big Bass rolls over to the next tournament and is split between the next tournaments 1^stBig Bass and 2^ndBig Bass prizes.

c. In the event of a tournament in which no fish are weighed, all entry fees will be rolled over into the pot for the next tournament.

d. In the event of a tournament in which only one person or team weighs fish, They will only get the 1st place money (see above)and the remainder will carry over to the next tournaments pot. If only 2 members/teams weigh,1^st& 2^ndMoney(see above) are paid and the non-paid out places roll over to the next tourneys pot. Etc.

e.In the event of a tie, the moneys will be split evenly.

B. TOURNAMENT DATE & LAKE SELECTION

1. The Tournament Director will set the dates and times for the upcoming year at the December meeting. Every effort will be made to avoid conflicts with other area tournaments. He will also chose the tournament headquarters for each tournament.

2. The Top 12 Anglers in the prior year will select the lakes for the following year starting with Angler of year and down.

3. Just in case a chosen lake if not accessible or unsafe the tournament director will choose a back-up lake

4. No lake may be fished more than 2 times in any given year.

5. Any lake may be selected within a 175 mile radius of the intersection of SH-360 and I-30 or for the 2 day tournament( if we have one) 250 mile radius but must remain in the state of Texas.

C. TOURNAMENT RULES

1. ELIGIBILITY

A. All state, federal, and local laws must be obeyed at all times otherwise you will be disqualified for that day with the exception of illegal sized bass..

B. A non-club member may only fish in a tournament as a guest of an individual member no more than 3 times per year.

C. Contestants will abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages until after tournament hours.

2. SAFETY

A. Each contestant is required to wear a Coast Guard approved life preserver anytime the boat is on plane.

B. The kill switch (if equipped) must be attached to the boat operator any time the boat is on plane.

C. Due to inclement weather, the tournament director may shorten the tournament hours or cancel it for the safety of its members.

3. FISHING AREAS & HOURS

A. Boats may leave the ramp of their choice at the time of their choice on tournament day once they have either paid an officer or, if running late, has the approval of an officer to pay at weigh-in.  ​First​ ​cast​ ​will​ ​be​ ​at​ ​the official start time and all lines​ ​must be​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​water​ ​at​ ​the official stop time.​ ​Teams​ ​must​ ​be​ ​in​ ​the​ ​weigh-in​ ​line within 30 minutes after finish time.​ ​Anglers​ ​not​ ​checked​ ​in​ ​and​ ​in​ ​line​ ​with​ ​their​ ​fish​ ​will not​ ​be​ ​allowed​ ​to​ ​weigh-in​ ​their​ ​catch.

Each tournament must be at least 8 hours with the only exception being the second day of a two day tournament. The tournament director may also modify and split particular days hours to prevent fish suffering or for other reasons.

B. Members may launch from any public or private ramp on the tournament lake with legal public access.  The first cast will be at the tournament official start time. Trailering to the weigh-in site is permitted if your live well system is adequate to maintain fish in a healthy condition. The tournament director may also modify that for certain tournaments.

C. No fishing or being on the water is allowed from 6:00 PM the night before until you launch your boat the tournament morning no more than 1 hour before tournament start time.

D. No fishing is allowed from outside your boat or within 50 yards of an anchored or tied boat with its trolling motor in the stored position without the express permission of its occupants unless they are blocking a right of way.

4. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT

A. Only artificial lures may be used, the only exception is pork rinds.

B. Only one rod per person may be in use at any one time. Each cast must be completed before another is made.

C. Trolling with the main engine is NOT allowed.

5. WEIGH-IN & CONSERVATION

A. The bag limit for each tournament shall be 3(three) fish per day per man. The tournament director does have the authority to change the bag limit upon his discretion.

B. All tournament contestants must have the last cast completed at the ending time of the tournament and return to weigh in area in a timely manner as suggested by the tournament director.  Being after that suggested time will result in disqualification which your fish will be allowed to be weighed in

C. All fish must be transported to and from the weigh-in line in a bag filled with water.

D. A penalty of 8 oz per dead fish weighed will be assessed against the individual members weight. If the big bass to be weighed is dead, the 8 oz penalty will be subtracted from the big bass weight. No culling of dead fish.

E. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass will be weighed. State and lake rules apply to the size limit. “Pro Rule” will be the official measuring board used by the Tournament Director. Fish will be measured with the mouth closed and tail compressed. We will fan the tail and its longest point will be the length. We will not turn the fish over. Illegal sized fish will be assessed a 1 lb penalty.

6. TEAM TOURNAMENTS

A. There will be three team tournaments per year . You choose your partner or ask someone else to find you a partner.

B. In cases of hardship and cant secure a partner, a member may fish solo however the boat entry fee is $66.

C. The creel limit per team will be 3 fish per day unless the tournament director changes the limit for that tournament. Once you catch 1 more than your limit you must cull immediately. If lake selected has a one fish  over the slot lake per person, the 2 man team can only bring in one fish over the slot.

D. Both anglers in the Team Tourney will get the same points for annual individual standings.

7. TWO DAY TOURNAMENT

A. There may be one 2 day tourney per year and the mileage limit will be extended to 250 miles however it must be voted in each year prior to the next calendar year.

B. The Tournament Director may split the tourney into a total of 2 or 3 weigh ins over the 2 days. We will count only your best weigh in out of the 2 days unless their is a 3rd weigh in in which case we will count your best 2 weigh ins. The tournament Director may also change the creel limit for this tournament.

 ARTICLE VIIII. TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS TOURNAMENT

A. EXPLANATION

1. There will be an end of the year Championship based on a qualification that you must fish at least 6 club tournaments and must pay 8 of the $5 dues to go towards the event.  There will be an entry fee required and the payback will be 1 thru 6 and will be 100% payback to them 6

ARTICLE X. NON-CLUB SPONSORED TOURNAMENT

1. We may also from year to year enter into non-club related tournaments in which we will select our top members to fish and represent DFW Bassmasters.  The fishing members will have to pay their entry fee for that event.

ARTICLE XI. CLUB STANDINGS

1. The Web Master shall maintain and publish individual club standings on the web site.

2. Standings will be determined as follows:

• · We will use a points system for year to date standings. The winner will receive 100 points plus his weight for that day, 2^nd place 99 points plus weight. If you zero out you will be receive 75 show up points. For Team events, both members will receive the same points
• · We will use your best 9 Individual scores for year to date standings.

• ARTICLE XII. AWARDS & BANQUET

1 The Club Champions for each division shall be determined as follows:

A. The Champion shall be the member who amasses the greatest total number of points using his best 9 tournaments.

2. Awards.

To be eligible for annual awards you must be a member and fish at least 4 tournaments for that year except for youth. The officers of the club will figure out how much money is available for the purchasing of awards and will also decide what the award will be. For 2009 thru 2024 the award was Angler of the year $100 gift card, 2nd thru 6th and Big Bass all received $50 gift cards and Lady Angler of the year will receive a $50 gift card.

A Awards for Club Champion and for Lady Angler of the Year.

B Awards for places 2-6 for members with highest in standings.

E Award for Big Bass of the Year

ARTICLE XIII. MEETINGS

A. Standard meeting time will be at various times of the year

B. The President of the club may call for special meeting throughout the year for various reasons.

C. The members present shall constitute a quorum

D. Nominations for the next years officers will be done at the October or November meeting.

E: Voting for the nominated officers by the members present will be done in the November meeting and Installed then or at the Annual Awards Banquet.

ARTICLE XIIII. OTHER

A. From time to time the club may purchase apparel or hats and distribute or sell to the members of the club at cost or less.

 

2024 Printable Membership Form