About Denton County Bass Club
[ Bylaws and Tournament Rules Below ]
Denton County Bass Club is organized as a not-for-profit club. With more than 30 members, DCBC has been and continues to be involved in youth, community, and conservation issues. Examples of these include holding - Kid Fishing - events to help involve children in fishing. DCBC also removed - Water Hyacinth" from Lake Quitman so the spraying of herbicides could be avoided. DCBC members are currently involved in the "Habitat Restitution" in the Hickory Creek area of Lake Lewisville.
In addition to community support we fish 10 tournaments each year. Members exhibiting true sportsmanship and handle fish with great care. All live fish are released immediately after weigh-in. In the unfortunate situation where a fish dies, the fish ends up being a healthy meal!
Following all BASS and Federation policies, DCBC is a member of both organizations in - Good Standing. - Members of the Club enjoy camaraderie and sharing fishing stories and techniques.
As a Northeast Federation Club we fish their tournaments. To determine the Lake, the top three finishers from the preceding tournament choose a lake of their choice - the members vote from these three lakes.
If you are thinking about joining a club, please consider Denton County Bass Club!
Denton County Bass Club
Lewisville, Texas
By-Laws
February 9, 2010
Article 1—Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
This club shall be called “Denton County Bass Club” (DCBC) of Lewisville, Texas
Section 2: Purpose
To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport. To offer the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department our organized moral and political support and encouragement. To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards. To improve our skill as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great recreation.
Article II—Membership
Section 1: Number of Members
There shall be no membership limit other than a two to one member to boat ratio. An active waiting list will be maintained for those prospective members without a boat, when the ratio is equal to two to one. There is one exception: a non-boater may join when he joins with a boater.
Section 2: Requirements for Membership
To become a member, a person shall
a. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
b. Be at least 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
c. Agree to abide by the By-Laws of the organization.
d. If the prospective member is not a member of B.A.S.S., he or she is required to join within 30 days of paying club membership dues which are non-refundable.
e. A non-member may fish as a guest no more than one tournament per year as a non-boater with a registered club member.
f. Prior year club members in good standing with Denton County Bass Club may join prior to a club tournament boat launch provided club Tournament Rules and Bylaws are met.
g. A non-member may join DCBC prior to a club tournament boat launch provided the following are met:
h. The non-member has requested club membership with a DCBC board member at a scheduled club meeting or club function prior to the tournament, or
i. The club President and Tournament Director is notified in advance by 7:00 pm on Thursday preceding the weekend tournament.
j. The non-member provides proof of current B.A.S.S. membership.
Section 3: Membership Dues
A single membership shall be $25.00 Club Fee, $30.00 National BASS Federation Nation Fee, $20.00 State Federation Fee. (Total $75.00). Anyone joining in the last quarter is required to join for the following year. Family membership is $35.00 annually. Membership dues are non-refundable.
Article III—Officers, Elections, Vacancies
Section 1: Officers and their Duties
The officers of the club shall consist of:
a. President; Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint all committee chairmen except tournament director and supervise all club functions.
b. Vice President; Act as Secretary-Treasurer (chairman), assist the President in his duties and preside in the absence of the President. Maintain accurate minutes of regular and special meetings as called for by the club President. Collect and disburse all moneys. Maintain accurate financial records.
c. Tournament Director-Duties Outlined in Tournament Rules
d. Youth Director-Plans and directs Youth Events such as (but not limited to) Casting for Kids, Little Buddies Tournaments. Meet with Regional or State Directors as needed.
Section 2: Elections
Nominations of Officers shall be made at the November meeting. Elections shall be by majority vote of members present.
Section 3: Eligibility of Vote
Each member in good standing is entitled to one (1) vote. Each family membership is entitled to one (1) vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.
Section 4: Term of Office
The term of office is for one (1) year, which shall begin on January 1, and end on the last day of December or until the successor assumes office.
Section 5: Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked and an election held to fill the remainder of the term of the individual vacating the office. National B.A.S.S. Headquarters shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.
Section 6: Eligibility of Office
To be eligible for an office a member must:
a. Have been a member for at least six (6) months (Six month requirement waived during the first 12 months of club existence).
b. Have attended at least 75% of the club meetings and 75% of the club functions including tournaments.
c. Have shown an active interest in all club functions.
Article IV—Standing Committees, Board of Directors
Section1: Committees
All standing committees will serve for one year or until a committee is appointed. The terms of the committee members will coincide with that of the president.
Section 2: Board of Directors
The board of Directors will consist of seven (7) members. (1) President, (1) Vice President/Secretary-Treasurer, (1) Tournament Director, (1) Youth Director, (1) Conservation Director, (1) Public Relations Director, (1) Special Events Director.
a. The President will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.
b. The Secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.
Section 3: Tournament Committee
The lake selection process shall be defined in the tournament rules.
Section 4: Youth Committee
The purpose of the Youth Committee, is to plan, organize and implement a youth club project; to give them a basis for respect of our national heritage; an appreciation of the basic rules of honesty, integrity, fair play, good sportsmanship and to give them an introduction to the sheer pleasure and joy of fishing.
Section 5: Conservation Committee
The purpose of this committee shall be to protect our national environment from harmful change, to document and report to the proper authorities any violation of local, state and federal anti-pollution laws, statutes, regulation, ordinances and other regulatory devices, to take political action to improve our environment, to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness to threats to our environment and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the life-giving waters of America.
Section 6: Public Relations Committee
The purpose of this committee is to promote “The Denton County Bass Club” to the public; to develop programs for club meetings; to gather and compile information which could be beneficial and educational to the club.
Section 7: Special Events Committee
The purpose of this committee shall be to plan and promote any social function or awards banquet that the club conducts.
Article V—Removal of Membership
Section 1: Removal of Membership
A member shall be dropped from membership role for the following:
a. Failure to pay dues.
b. Any action, which would reflect dishonor and disgrace to this club.
c. Failure to join B.A.S.S. within 30 days of paying club dues.
Article VI—Affiliation
Section 1: Affiliation
The requirements for affiliation with B.A.S.S. are as follows:
a. Approval of club charter by B.A.S.S.
b. Update B.A.S.S. with charter membership roster once a year, immediately following election of Chapter officers and Directors
c. Names and Addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur. The necessary forms are included in the B.A.S.S. Chapter Handbook.
d. Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership
e. Support State Federation Conservation and Youth Programs. Meet additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership dues, attendance at meetings, etc.… which would be necessary in order for the chapter to participate in the State Federation qualifying tournaments and any other Federation-sponsored tournament events.
Section 2: Federation Club Representatives
The club will have two (2) club members as representatives for the district and state meetings. The club President will preside as the voting representative of the club. An Associate Representative will be elected by a majority vote of club members to represent the club in the absence of the President.
Article VII—Yearly Awards
Section 1: Awards
Year-end awards will be:
a. Angler of the Year
b. Big Bass of the Year
c. Big Stringer of the Year
d. Top “6”
e. Special Awards
In the event of a tie for Top “6” team award at the end of the tournament year, a tie breaker will be decided by the following sequence:
- Use each angler’s next lowest tournament points drop score. If a tie remains between anglers, apply each angler’s next tournament point drop score.
- If the points tie still remains between anglers after the second tournament point drop score, the tie breaker will be decided be the total weight of tournament fish caught by each angler for the year.
Article VIII—Meetings
Section 1: Club Meetings
The Denton County Bass Club shall meet the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, Texas. Meeting time and date schedules may change based on holidays and schedule conflicts decided by club majority at club meetings.
Section 2: Special Meetings
The officers and Committee chairmen shall meet at the request of the President or the Committee Chairman. The party calling the meeting will determine time and location of the meeting.
Article IX—Method of Amending the Constitution
Section 1: Method of Amending the Constitution
The Constitution and the By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided written notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least one regular meeting prior to the vote.
Section 1 – Entry Fees and Pay Outs
Section 2 – Registration and Take Off
Section 3 – Check-In and Weigh-In Procedures
Section 4 – General Tournament Rules
Section 5 – Scoring, Points and Penalties
Section 6 – Safety and Sportsmanship
Section 7 – Tournament Lake Selection Procedure
Section 8 – Special Events
Section 1 – Entry Fees and Pay Outs
The entry fee for each tournament is $45.00 with an 80% payback. The remaining 20% will go back to the club to fund the Top Six Team. There is an Optional Big Bass pot of $5.00 with a 100% payback. The 80% payback will be paid - 50% to 1st place, 30% to 2nd place, and 20% goes to 3rd place. In case of ties, place prizes will be combined and divided equally. Any unclaimed prize money shall be divided equally among the place finishers. In the event of no winners, prize money shall rollover to the next Denton County Club Tournament.
Reimbursement of Tournament Entry Fees – Entry fee reimbursement will be allowed if the tournament contestant notifies the Tournament Director of their withdrawal prior to take-off. No paid tournament entry fees will be reimbursed after tournament take-off.
Section 2 – Registration and Take Off
The Tournament Director will designate the launch ramp/weigh-in site, and keep the official time. Deadline for club member tournament registration is 15 minutes prior to the start of the tournament. Late entries will be accepted but members must sign the roster at the launch ramp prior to fishing, and pay their entry fee prior to start of weigh-in. (Indicate on roster, $45 or $50). Tournament start time will be “safe light”. “Trailering” is permitted, provided contestants depart from designated launch site no earlier than official start time. Tournament Director will direct Take Off procedure for each Tournament.
Non-member tournament registration will not be allowed the morning of a club tournament without meeting membership requirements stated in the Club Bylaws: Section 2 - Requirements for Membership.
Section 3 – Check-In and Weigh-In Procedure
Contestants must check in with the Tournament Director or a member of the tournament committee by 3:00 PM or be disqualified. All fish weighed become the property of DCBC for live release. Each member may keep one trophy fish per year.
All contestants must weigh their own catch. Weigh bags will be available. Fish will be weighed on official club scales. Big Bass will be declared and weighed first for Big Bass Pot, then weighed with the remaining catch for a total stringer weight.
Section 4 – General Tournament Rules
1. All State and Federal, Fish and Game laws will apply.
2. All fish must be caught in a sportsman like manner and hooked in the mouth.
3. There is a 4 hour dead water period prior to the beginning of the tournament.
4. Contestants leaving before official start time or returning after official cut-off time will be disqualified.
5. All entries will fish from a boat with functioning live well(s). When 2 contestants are fishing together, provisions must be made for identifying or separating each contestants catch.
6. The use of live bait is prohibited and grounds for disqualification.
7. Trolling with the combustion engine is not permitted.
8. Quantity limit will be 5 fish or the legal limit for the tournament lake, whichever is smaller. Legal length of each fish shall be 14 inch minimum for all species or the legal minimum for the tournament lake, whichever is greater.
9. Protests, discrepancies, violations and questions must be presented to the Tournament Committee within 15 minutes of the completion of weigh-in for a ruling. Only the Tournament Committee will rule and their decision shall be final.
Section 5 – Scoring, Points and Penalties
Contestants will score points for fishing each tournament. 100 points awarded for 1st place finish, 99 points for 2nd place, 98 points for third and continuing to the last contestant weighing fish. Tied contestants will receive points for that place and the next place points will be skipped.
Each contestant entered but not weighing fish will receive 30 points less than the last placing contestant. Any contestant who is disqualified will receive no points.
Members will receive 30 points for each monthly meeting attended. A member missing a meeting for good cause (work or emergency) can receive meeting points provided that member 1) Contacts an officer prior to the meeting to inform him of the absence and 2) Fishes the tournament following the missed meeting. Buy-In does not receive meeting points.
A member who resides 50 or more miles from the meeting site and fails to make meeting(s) will receive meeting points provided that member fishes the tournament(s) following missed meeting(s).
Anyone who becomes a member when entering a tournament will receive meeting points for the meeting prior to that tournament.
Members who must miss tournaments, may Buy-In to (2) tournaments per year by paying a $25 entry fee which will be added to the Top Six Fund. That member will receive points as if having fished the tournament and caught no fish.
Fish presented at Weigh-In that do not meet the tournament length restrictions, will be culled, and the contestant will receive a 1/2 pound penalty off their total weight. There will also be a 1/2 penalty assessed on each dead fish presented at Weigh-In.
Any unnatural weights found in any fish presented for weigh-in shall be cause for disqualification and no points will be awarded.
Ten monthly meetings will count toward an annual score with a maximum of 300 points. Members 8 best tournament scores will count toward an annual score for a maximum of 800 points.
Section 6 – Safety and Sportsmanship
Contestants failing to register properly, or leaving the lake prior to official weigh-in without signing the roster will be disqualified with no points awarded. This is a safety issue. Life Jackets will be worn and fastened when the combustion engine is running and boat is under way. Kill switches (if equipped) must be attached to the driver when the combustion engine is running and boat is under way. No Alcoholic beverages will be consumed during tournament hours. During competition, a 25 yard distance will be maintained between tournament boats while fishing. The first boat in a location has the right of way. Mutual consent and rendering aid are exceptions to this rule. Violation of any items in Section 6 will result in disqualification.
In the event of inclement weather or other factors which could affect angler safety, the Tournament Committee will decide whether or not to proceed with the tournament.
Section 7 – Tournament Lake Selection Procedure
The top 3 finishers from the previous tournament who attend the meeting will be the Lake Committee and offer a lake of their choice for consideration, chosen from the approved lake list. The “Tournament Lake” will be decided by popular vote. No lake may be fished back to back or more than twice in one year.
Section 8 – Special Events
For draw tournaments, pairings will be determined at the meeting immediately prior to the tournament. Members must be present or represented by another member at the drawing and make arrangements with partner if they may be late for starting time.
Night tournaments start at 8:00 pm and weigh-in is at 8:00 am.
Two-day tournaments will have standard start and weigh-in times and the lake selection shall be chosen by standard majority vote procedure.
(for reference only - official rules held in club records)
BASSMASTERS' CREED
- I promise to create among my fellow anglers, and the public in general, an awareness of my Chapter's and Society's contributions to angling, conservation and outdoor recreation.
- I will encourage and instruct the youth of my community in the art of bass fishing.
- I pledge myself to full adherence to all conservation codes and to detect and report any polluter of our nation's waters.
