The President's Message

Welcome to The Southern California Bassmasters Club website. This club is dedicated to the Art and practice of Bass fishing. Catch and release, and the protection of all wild life.

The Southern California Bassmasters Club was founded in 1967. Possibly the oldest Bass Club in Southern California, or even the country. In fact the story goes, that Ray Scott the founder of B.A.S.S. wrote a letter to the founder and president of The Southern California Bassmaster Club. Telling the membership that the word "Bassmasters" in our club name could not be used. A reply was quickly sent respectively with a copy of the charter verifying our official recorded birth date. The Southern California Bassmasters Club had been formed prior to Ray Scott's B.A.S.S. organization. This club then told B.A.S.S. that they had no rights to use our name. No further communicate was ever received or sent, and the matter became null and void. I guess no one really knows who coined the phrase to the name Bassmaster, but many Clubs and businesses have since used it. Although Webster's Dictionary doesn't list "Bassmaster" as a word, the entire fishing community is aware of it's meaning as a type of specialized Angler. My definition is: One of two cold wet, devious temperamental creatures of somewhat limited intelligence found at either end of a fishing line.

The Southern California Bassmasters Club started out as a club using its dues to award individuals for each tournament win and along with a big fish pot. For many years this was the basic foundation for the clubs membership and the relentless need to award cash as the prize for winning and maintaining interest. Some clubs today still have this format, but this was also the demise of many clubs that where formed in the late 60's 70's and 80's. We respectfully believe that the larger tournament organization such as WON, NBA and ABA is where Anglers should go for that kind of Prize.

In 1998 the membership of The Southern California Bassmasters Club was declining rapidly and bitter revelries and clicks overtook the club. Something had to give. So, the newly elected officers ran on a platform to change the clubs direction for its own survival. The clubs Tournament By-Laws were changed to a points system and no longer used the membership dues to award cash to the winners. Over a very short time the membership grew again, and now camaraderie has grown into life long friendships.

Today we use our dues to purchase permits and equipment and to celebrate with events like the Don Pedro lake tournament Bar-B-Q, and to purchase individual lake winner's brass plates for their Club supplied personal trophy board. At the year-end Banquet in January, being held again this year at the Porter Ranch Country Club. The Southern California Bassmasters Club sponsors a great dinner for all its members, sponsors and significant others for their support all year. A great years end visual presentation, including a photo contest for all you camera buffs. We honor the 1st place Individual Bassmaster of the Year, 1st 2nd and 3rd Place Team Anglers, Most Improved Angler of the Year, Biggest Bass of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Sportsman of the Year, with beautiful plaques. We also present gifts for all, that including a raffle Mega-draw for top quality fishing equipment.

In conclusion, the membership welcomes you to visit and enjoy our website, resister yourself on our message board and ask the questions you always wanted to ask or answer one on any fishing subject. And perhaps join us on the lakes in the celebration of friendly club tournament Bass fishing. Our membership is limited, so come to a meeting, bring a friend, or come alone. Our season is January through December, with the 1st tournament draw at January's meeting. See our schedule on this site for more dates. Our Awards Banquet for the each season is in January of the following year and we encourage new members to come to our meetings to resister, and get in the next draw tournament. Dues are pro-rated throughout the season for latecomers. If you have any questions please use the contact numbers or email address on the front page for more information. Thanks you for your interest and we all hope to see you on the lakes. "Be safe out there and enjoy the fishing"

Sincerely
Ben Maryniak
President