Everyone has been asking for it so here is the format complete with rules and bylaws. If you attended the inaugral meeting or have emailed me you will be receiving this info via that route. If anyone has any questions or would like to join please let me know. Thanks, Mark
MYSTERY LAKE BASS CLUB
Bylaws/Rules 2008-2009
1. Mystery Lake Bass Club(MLBC) was founded on August 25, 2008 and these rules/bylaws were set forth the same day. There can be no amendments made to rules until open business meeting in August 2009. It was decided that the rules would be simple and straightforward. The purpose of the MLBC is to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie that fishing provides. MLBC may not be for everyone and we urge any prospective member to read over these rules before becoming a member.
2. MLBC will only have one scheduled meeting per year each august to discuss new rules and to choose lakes for following season. Lakes are chosen at the yearly business meeting by allowing each person in attendance to get twelve selections. Those selections are written down and dropped in sealed box to be counted later by a non member of the club. The twelve lakes getting the highest number of votes will be chosen as the MLBC lake pool. These lakes are then given a number one through twelve. Those corresponding numbers will be placed in a box and selected by 5:00PM on the Saturday prior to the tournament. The lake that corresponds with that number will be where the tournament is held. The numbers and the lake list are kept in two different locations. No one involved with MLBC knows where the tournaments will be held or even which lakes are in the MLBC pool. The club sets forth a criteria that they must be within a 50-75 miles radius of the Lewisville area as that is what was decided to be the geographical center for MLBC. That is the foundation of the MLBC, it prevents prefishing and home lake advantage. In addition we are low cost and geared towards fun and the sharing of the sport. We promote friendly competition.
3. Club officers will be elected at start of said meeting and will consist of a Club President and Vice President. Officers will act or appoint other club members on a rotating basis as tournament director for each tournament. Elected officers will act as club representative in all matters concerning club and will report back to club within a timely manner. Should an officer vacate his post then position will be filled via majority vote by email within 7 days of resignation.
4. MLBC will conduct all club business via email. Monthly tournament results and year-to-date standings will be sent within 7 days of monthly tournament conclusion. Any member having concerns or questions will need to contact club officers via email.
5. MLBC will require membership dues of $10.00 per year which will help fund website and general club related expenses. All items will be accounted for and receipts kept and may be examined at any time by any active club member. At the end of the year the remaining funds will be placed into the championship pot for payback to winners. In addition MLBC will pay back 100% of entry fees per tournament.
6. MLBC will fish 8 monthly tournaments per year beginning in January and running until August. Each tournament will be a one day tournament with the exception of the year end championship. The championship will be a two day event. Tournaments will be held on the 4th Sunday of each month. Tournaments will begin at safe light with weigh in at 3:00PM weather and safety permitting. Contestants must be checked in by 3:00PM and in weigh in line no later than 3:30PM. Weigh in line closes promptly at 3:30PM unless otherwise noted by tournament director. Tournament director has the right to adjust tournament hours as needed. In addition in the June, July, and August tournaments the director my impose a 3 fish limit per angler to maintain proper fish care standards as long as majority of members present prior to launch are in agreement. Championship tournament will be held the fourth weekend in October. It will be randomly selected from lake pool as well. The top 50% of the club based on points will be eligible to fish the championship.
7. MLBC is an individual angler format which means Angler Of the Year points will be awarded at each event to individual anglers. Points will be awarded in descending order starting at 200pts. For instance first place will get 200pts, second place will get 199pts and so on. Anyone fishing a tournament and not catching a keeper will still be awarded points but will start at 20pts less than last angler that caught a keeper. In addition MLBC will award total heaviest overall combined weight over the course of the year as a Heavyweight Award. MLBC will allow one tournament out of the eight monthly events to be thrown out. MLBC will award AOY based on an anglerÂs seven best tournaments. An angler must be in good standing within MLBC to fish each event. MLBC will allow a nonmember to fish one event as a guest. If they desire to join they will have the option immediately following the weigh in. If dues are paid then that days catch can be applied towards MLBC AOY. The AOY will be allowed to fish the following season for free with both the entry fee and big bass fee waived. In addition MLBC will allow BASS Federation Nation and The Bass Federation membership but will not make it a requirement to be a club member. Each club member that elects to participate in those organizations will be required to pay those additional dues as well. MLBC will maintain the record keeping and points breakdown for those organizations separately as a courtesy to allow our members to fish their regional events.
8. MLBC will permit individual anglers to fish out of the same boat but strictly prohibits pooling of fish. Each boat must be equipped with a divided livewell or a system to allow the separation and identification of each anglers creel. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification and revocation of club membership.
9. MLBC will allow a maximum of two anglers per boat. There will be no length limits or horsepower restrictions. MLBC requests that strict adherence to safety be observed at all times. MLBC bears no responsibility for accidents while club member is participating in MLBC events. No alcohol or illegal drug use is allowed during tournament hours.
10. MLBC requires that each angler follow all local, state and federal laws and regulations while competing in an MLBC event. State limit swill be in effect at each event. An angler may only keep 5 legal black bass in his possession at any time. An angler must immediately cull upon catching his 6th fish BEFORE making another cast. No culling at the ramp is allowed. The Pro Rule will be the official measuring board of MLBC. In the event a slot lake is selected the fish cannot exceed the lower level of the slot but may touch that respective line while on the upper end it must at least touch that line. No exceptions. Also state regulations will be inplace on spotted bass with nominium length limits. Should there be a question as to properly identifying a spotted bass the tournament director will randomly select three club members at weigh in.If two or more agree itÂs a spotted bass based on tooth patch and jawline not extending past eye then it shall be considered a spotted bass. This is the ONLY exception that will be made via the decision of the tournament director. All other matters will be deemed that a tournament directorÂs decision is final. In addition there will be a .50 lb penalty for each dead fish. There will be no short fish penalty but that fish will not count toward weight.
11. To maintain the mystery lake format all club members must confirm via email their participation as well as any guests by midnight on the Friday prior to the event. There will be no exceptions. Once confirmation is received you are locked into the event. MLBC will not allow cancellations for any reason. If there is a no show that club member will be responsible for getting their entry fee to an MLBC officer for distribution to the winners within 7 days of the event. There will be no refunds. If a club member does not follow this guideline they will be dropped from club roster and will be ineligible to fish MLBC in the future. This rule is to protect the integrity of the mystery lake format and prevent drops based on lake selection for that month. In addition no AOY points will be awarded for no shows. A club member must fish to receive AOY points.
The lake will be randomly drawn from the MLBC lake pool by 5:00PM on the Saturday prior to the event. If you do not receive an email please contact a club officer or other member as soon as possible. All ramp info and tournament times will be addressed in the emails at the time lake is selected.
12. All MLBC entry fees must be paid in cash to facilitate payback. MLBC will payout 1 place per 5 entries along with one big bass award. Tournament entry fees are $25.00 per person with optional $5.00 big bass. All entry fees will be 100% payback.
13. All decisions by the tournament director will be final with the exception of the spotted bass issue as described above. All protests must be written and turned in within 15 minutes of the close of weigh in. In the event of a tie the places will be combined and split between the tieing anglers. Points will be awarded to anglers based on points system.
14. The tournament director CANNOT weigh his own fish. A random club member must be selected to do so and will be given the same authority as the director per that individual weigh in.
15. All anglers must maintain a distance of 25ft from other boats while fishing unless permission is granted by other boat to move closer.
16. No live bait may be used and only one rod and reel may be used at a time.
17. Any violation of club rules or bylaws as well as cheating will result in disqualification and removal from club roster. A member may be removed from roster if violation/disqualification is noted and majority votes so via email within days of offense
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Must be nice.
