Hi

I’m Ben Maryniak

The Letters you are about to read, are from the members and spouses of The Southern California Bassmasters club. I thought I’d share them with you to give you, the reader a small insight about our members. If you’re interested in becoming a member or have questions on becoming a member, feel free to contact me at (661) 294-0563. We are always looking for non-boaters, as our members seem to advance to becoming bass boater owners. Our club has grown in size every year and its members are friendly, informative and fun guys to be around. You will learn to become a better bass Angler.

Hi Ben,

I wanted to thank you for thinking of us wives (me) and giving us the dinner and the gift card. I know it's from the whole club, but since you are the president I thought I'd just email you the thank you and you can thank the club for me, (of course embarrassing my husband in the process.)

I have been meaning to thank you but family circumstances have prevented me from getting to this sooner and I just recently used the gift card. It was very thoughtful of the club members and much appreciated. I also wanted to thank you for taking my husband (Danny) fishing with you when the club isn't going out. And no it's not just so I can get him out of the house...ha ha. It's because it makes him so happy and whatever makes him happy makes me happy. (Not to get too mushy now).

Danny as you already know LOVES fishing and especially the challenge of fishing for bass. And he loves being part of your club, so again thank you from a "newbie wife". See you next year at the banquet dinner.

Signed a "fishing widow...now"

Cheryl

Dear Ben

I have always considered myself an average fisherman at best. I’ve done a lot of ocean and salmon fishing and have had my share of mediocre trips. My experience bass fishing was minimal, so when I was approached by a friend of mine, who always out fishes me, to join a bass club I thought wow I can really embarrass myself in front of total strangers now. Some part of me must like punishment, because I went to a club meeting. The guys all seemed like good guys who really liked fishing and the camaraderie of being in a club. I joined the club, but was worried about what they would think of my fishing ability.

From the very first tournament everyone that I have fished with has shown me a little something new and has genuinely wanted me to succeed. Since being in the club for two years now, I have noticed that the one thing you can do to improve your fishing is to get out on the water and fish. I have been able to improve my fishing enough to have a shot at winning “Most Improved Angler of the year”. Fishing with the club has also helped me in all other types of fishing. I have had one of the best Albacore trips this year. I would like to take this time to thank the members of Southern California Bassmasters for making the time spent with the club relaxed and enjoyable.

Nick Sunderman

Member of the Southern California Bassmasters Club

Dear Ben

Most passionate fisherman already know that the best way for a new fisherman to raise his skill level to the next level is to join a local bass fishing club. Having a community of seasoned anglers available to you is what makes that possible. The Southern California Bassmasters makes that even easier than usual. In the time that I've been in the club almost 4 years now, what I've realized is that it's even better if the community of seasoned anglers is enthusiastically and genuinely interested in seeing you fish well, and have a good time doing it.

The Southern California Bassmasters Club has also managed to achieve the correct blend of casual fishing and competitive fishing. We all have some degree of interest in doing well in the race for Angler of the Year, but no one in the club is going to stomp on anyone else to do it. First and foremost is having a good time. Our system of tallying combined weights of five fish per angler into a team weight also discourages back seating. This is just another way our club is the best for the new angler.

If you want to fish with a cast of characters that'll make you laugh as well as foster your angling skill, the Southern California Bassmasters is the club for you.

Charlie Wilkins

Secretary of the Southern California Bassmasters Club

Dear Ben

A bass club? What is a Bass club? Well I‘ll tell you what kind of a Bass club I‘m in, a FUN one! Seriously, this was my first year joining the Southern California Bassmasters Club, and what a crazy old mans club it is. Luckily I wasn‘t the only young one in the group, but coming into this I had no clue how I would like fishing with all these guys. The reason why I joined, well there’s two reasons, one is I love to bass fish, actually fishing period is my favorite thing to do in the whole wide world, and two my Father aka Pat is in the club. So really I didn’t know what to expect my first year, all I knew was that fishing was fun. My dad does make the club fun.

This year, I have learned a lot about bass fishing. I am a non boater so that means I get to fish with all of the good fisherman in the club. Going into my first tournament all I knew about fishing is what my dad showed me, and guess what, I didn’t know much. After going through the year and going to all the lakes, and fishing with a different person each time, it really taught me a lot of techniques and all the different ways to fish for Bass.

There are a lot of fun members in the club, every meeting I go to, we are all laughing and joking. So if you’re reading this and you are not a member, and if you’re thinking about joining a bass club for fishing, while having fun with a little competition thrown in, then I suggest that you join this one. Also there is a fun camping trips and Bar-B-Que that we do that is so much fun with all the members, but my favorite thing about the club is at least once every month I get to go fishing. Let me tell you if I wasn’t in this club and fishing, my life wouldn’t be worth living.

-Spencer Ammerman

Member of the Southern California Bass Masters Club

Dear Reader

I joined the club several years ago to learn more about the art of bass angling. In other words, I wanted to learn to catch more bass year round. What I found in this club is an environment that has about 20 to 25 guys (and occasionally a lady angler) most of them are seriously competitive on tournament days, but always willing to share what they have learned after the tournament.

The membership is an amazing group of people dedicated to making this club great. The officers led by President Ben Maryniak, works hard to make this an enjoyable club for everyone. We encourage our membership to be involved (and most find ways to be really involved) and share ideas that will improve the club for everyone.

It’s the kind of club where fathers and sons can spend true quality time together. Currently there are two fathers and sons in the club with more coming this year including an uncle and nephew. Whatever you’re level of expertise, whether you have a boat or not, this is a great club to be part of.

Mark LeRoy

Events Director of the Southern California Bass Masters Club

Dear Ben

Why do I enjoy being in the Southern California Bassmasters, hmmmm? Well I guess first and foremost, the fact that I can supplement my income by betting against Pat Ammerman for big fish each tourney. That's an easy five bucks! Then I would have to say the camaraderie. This club has come along way since I first joined, and believe me it's a thousand times better. The guys in the club are not only club members, but I'd also like to think of as friends. I like and respect everyone in the club, (except Pat and Scott)( har!) LOL!

Kevin McGuire

Member of the Southern California Bass Masters Club

Dear Reader

To you who are about to join a Bass Fishing Club or looking for a new club, I was asked to join the So Cal Bassmasters club in 2004 by a good friend, Mark LeRoy. He and I joined at the same time and I wasn’t sure what to expect. As an avid fisherman, that didn’t know much about bass fishing it sounded like fun, so I gave it a shot. The first time I met the club members was at the meeting, the members where all very nice and seemed excited to have Mark and I as new members.

The first year was tough, I was a non-boater trying to learn all the different ways of how to catch bass, but all in all it was a lot of fun. The second year, with a little more experience and luck, I won Most Improved Angler of the year and Team Angler of the Year. That was it, I was hooked. The third year, I purchased a bass boat (by the way it’s the fastest boat in the club) which now gave me more to learn, but I caught on fast and won a couple of tournaments. This year was great, I was in the running for Bassmaster of the Year. The most exciting thing for me this year was, my son Spencer joining. Spencer now 18 and I have been fishing since he was a small boy and he did very well for his first year, and a lot better than I did my first year.

Why I like the club so much is the camping trips (annual BBQ), the practical jokes and the friendly competition, but most of all the new friendships. I want to thank all the members of the Southern California Bassmasters club for sharing their fishing experiences and friendships since being in the club, but especially Eddy, Jacques, Ben, Joe and Kevin. Kevin Last, because he beat me out of Angler or Bassmaster of the Year (Good job Kevin)!

Thanks again for these last four years of fun tournament fishing

Pat Ammerman

Member of the Southern California Bass Masters Club