John Flores: Bass clubs offer more than just fishing

For the past month you may or may not have noticed, but most weekends there has been an ever increasing number of bass boats on the road. When the water starts to warm up in the 55-65 degree temperature range, bass begin to spawn in 1-15 foot water depths. By March, the spawn is pretty much in full swing and so are the bass club tournament anglers.
The vast majority of these fishermen who like to compete are weekend warriors says Patterson resident and Bullet Bass Club board member Gerald Foulcard.
Foulcard, who has been a member of Bullet Bass Club for 18 years and served as club president for 15 of those years, said, “Most people work and don’t have the luxury of being able to fish big circuit tournaments. We’re either working or doing something with the family and then preparing to go back to work on Monday. So for us guys that have to do steady work to get that guaranteed paycheck every pay period, clubs are the best way to accomplish all of the above.”
Another local club angler is Bubbie Lopez from Centerville. The 56-year-old bass fisherman has been a member of Louisiana Bass Anglers Club based out of Jeanerette since its inception.
Lopez said, “We started the club back in 1995 and right now have about 60 members. And, they all pretty much turn out every tournament except when it gets really hot out. We average about 20 to 21 boats a tournament and at our last event held in February, we had 31 boats.”
Club tournaments typically don’t have big payouts like professional circuits that include BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society), FLW (Fishing League Worldwide), and the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail. But, they do offer a chance for guys to hone their skills and make a few friends along the way.
“Just the competitiveness and camaraderie with all of the friends you’ve made is one of the biggest things we get out of it. A lot of guys bring kids and we have a rule in our club that if you bring any kid under the age of 18 they can fish with you,” Lopez said.
Morgan City Elite Bass Club President and co-founder Howard Hartley points out how the sport of bass fishing has been increasing in popularity throughout the world where by all measures it now resembles America’s melting pot. Bass clubs now consist of all different races and nationalities that are united by one common factor, bass fishing, says Hartley, who has competed in the 2019 BASS Nation National Championship Qualifier and 2020 Fishers of Men National Championship Qualifier.
According to a Brandon Gaille Small Business & Marketing Advice article published in 2018, there are some 60 million people who say they participate in the sport of fishing each year. It goes on to say the estimate is more than the number of people who play tennis and golf combined. Moreover, over 50% of the people who say they go fishing prefer bass fishing, which means the U.S. has about 30 million active participants in the sport. An industry which is estimated at being worth $60 billion annually.
Hartley makes note that BASS was founded in 1967, but bass clubs are the grassroots of competitive bass fishing.
“Bass clubs were around before then. It’s not really known when bass clubs were introduced, but BASS’ first competitors were from various bass clubs and many bass professionals and touring pros started fishing with their local bass clubs. From there, they can move on to state, regional and finally national touring levels,” said Hartley.
Bass clubs can also provide an economic impact for small communities, as tournament anglers often purchase plenty of gas for their rigs, and spend money in retail stores, tackle shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Foulcard, Lopez and Hartley all emphasized how their respective clubs also include plenty of room for kids to participate. Each of their clubs try to provide not just another youth outing, but an experience in the outdoors that may spark an interest in fishing, plus maybe give club members an opportunity to mentor a young person.
Some bass clubs also look for ways to give back to the community; perhaps none more than the Westside Bass Masters club, based out of the Plaquemine-Brusly area.
Joey Stein, President of Westside Bass Masters, says in mid-July the club for the past several years has put on a tournament for the Wounded War Heroes organization. The tournament, held annually out of Doiron’s Landing, two years ago attracted 109 boat entries and at last year’s event 125 boats entered.
The tournament, according to Stein, is a huge fundraiser where there’s plenty of door prizes and raffles, besides a large purse for bass anglers. In the past two years Westside Bass Masters has donated proceeds in excess of $30,000 to the Wounded War Heroes organization.
Stein shared a story of how one combat marine veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan came home with a traumatic brain injury. He had a job and an apartment, but made just enough money to pay his rent, utilities and pretty much lived off of Ramen noodles. Each night after work the soldier would come home and would sleep on a pallet he made on the floor.
He somehow was able to get in touch with and reached out to Wounded War Heroes and the organization bought the marine bedroom, living room, and kitchen furniture to help make his life a little easier in his transition from being a soldier to becoming a civilian.
Stein says Wounded War Heroes helps with things like housing, furniture, and even service dogs, but they use hunting and fishing trips to get injured combat veterans acclimated back into society.
Bass clubs hold tournaments throughout the year, with March and April being big months while bass are spawning. There are plenty of clubs around that offer something for everyone, all you have to do is join.