Club Rules And By-Laws
ARTICLE 1
MEMBERSHIP:
Individuals desiring membership in the Never On Sunday Bass Club shall complete an application which will presented to the club membership for possible approval. Membership approval will be a majority vote of club members. If approved, membership will be awarded upon receipt of annual dues, but the new member will be on probation the first calendar year. If for any reason the new member does not successfully complete the probation their dues will be refunded -- dues will not be refunded after fishing two tournaments. Current members will be considered in good standing after receipt of their dues. Three negative votes will deny an applicant from membership
All members should pay their dues prior to the first tournament although there are no restrictions as to how many tournaments an individual may fish prior to paying dues. However, to be eligible to fish the free tournament at the end of the year an individual must fish eight (8) tournaments as a member. Non-members will be charged an additional $10.00 tournament fee.
ARTICLE 2
CONDUCT:
Any member whose actions discredit the club or whose actions are not consistent with club policies may be suspended from all club activities until the next club meeting. Club members will decide, by a majority vote, as to retaining or suspending the individual in question.
ARTICLE 3
MEETINGS:
All meetings will be scheduled by the club president, time and location will be announced. All members are encouraged to attend as all matters brought before the club requiring a vote will be determined by the majority vote of those present.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT
Provides leadership for the club and presides at club meetings. He has the authority to make decisions regarding the club if time constraint preclude scheduling a club meeting. Votes at the discretion of membership and is member of tournament grievance committee.
VICE-PRESIDENT
Assists the president in club matters when required and presides in his absence. Assists the president with the program for club meetings. Assists tournament Director with tournament weigh-in activities as required. Coordinates special club activities and is a member of tournament grievance committee.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
Coordinates club tournaments schedule. Responsible for weigh-in activities, which includes direction of where to release all fish after weighing. Member of tournament grievance committee.
SECRETARY/PUBLIC RELATIONS
Responsible for club correspondence and recording the minutes of each meeting. Coordinates all public relation activities within the club. Keeps members informed of club news and coordinates with webmaster
TREASURER
Responsible for all financial activities within the club. Collects tournament fees and distributes prize monies for each tournament.
WEBMASTER/RECORDS COORDINATOR
Maintains website. Works with Tournament Director to record tournament results and makes them public. Keeps track of tournament points. Coordinates with Secretary to make all club news public. Works with Treasury to distribute all prize monies and other awards.
ARTICLE 5
STANDING RULES:
- There will be a three member tournament grievance committee. President, Vice-President, Tournament Director, which will decide the appeals of club members on any rule judgment against them. In the event the grieving member is one of the committee members the Treasurer will sit on the committee in his place.
- Club dues are $50.00 per year.
- Only those members who have paid dues (current members) will be permitted to vote on any issue before the club requiring a vote of the membership.
- No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will permitted, consumed, or used during the time frame of the tournament.
- To be eligible to fish the "Masters Tournament", a TEAM must fish at least 8 Tournaments. Any team that is 1 tournament short, may buy in at a cost of $60.00.
- A tournament may be cancelled or postponed by the club President, Tournament Director, or by a 75% vote of the members. Cancellations normally are due to weather, lack of participation, or other safety reasons.
- Any member who sees another member in distress must offer assistance as required.
- All tournament participants must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest and have kill switch lanyard attached while the boat is on plane.
- Individuals who have been club members for one (1) year are eligible to serve as club officers
- Election of club officers will be held during the January meeting.
- No boats will be permitted to fish the tournaments unless there is a member on board. A new member may join the day of the tournament, but not take a guest that day.
- It will be a discretionary decision by the officers, for a member that is a tournament short of qualifying for the Masters to allow them to pay for the tournament missed, and proceed to the Masters.
- No Active or licensed professional guides may participate in any Tournament.
- All guests that fish 2 tournaments must become a member before they can fish a third tournament.
- Late arrivals to tournaments must contact a member as soon as possible. Tournament entry fees can be paid before or at weigh-in. If the team knows it will be late call the Tournament Director for instructions.
- Club membership expires the date of the first scheduled tournament of the following year.
ARTICLE 6
TOURNAMENT RULES:
Participation in NOS events are completely voluntary by club members and guests. Pursuant to liability waivers signed on the club membership application, all participants shall hold club officers, representatives, agents, and other members harmless in the event of damage, harm, loss of property, or any other liabilities. NOS tournaments will last 8 hours each. All participants will arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for pre-event briefings and activities. In the event of a possible delay, participant's must notify a club officer, or fellow member of potential late arrival. If any participant arrives after the official tournament kickoff, it is the responsibility of the late participant's to check in with an officer or fellow club member for a live well check. Any fish caught by the late participant's prior to the live well check will be disqualified from the tournament. Failure to comply with late arrival rules stated herein may result from disqualification from the tournament.
- Absolutely no pre-fishing is allowed prior to the tournament by those who arrive early on the day of the tournament.
- All boats must remain in ramp area or launch site until tournament kickoff.
- All boats will leave the ramp or launch area in an orderly manner. The launch will be directed by the last boat in the launch sequence in increments of 20 seconds.
- Largemouth and smallmouth bass will be the only species that will qualify for weigh-in at the tournaments. All fish must be caught using artificial lures, and trolling is not permitted. Maryland State Law shall govern minimum size limits of all fish.
- There will be a minimum of 100 feet between boats participants of the tournament. If agreed to by the first boat to arrive at a location, the minimum distance between boats may be reduced. All boats passing through an occupied area will proceed with caution and courtesy, thereby creating as little disturbance as possible. Minimum spacing disputes must be brought to the attention of the Club Officers prior to weigh-in and violation of this rule may result in disqualification from the tournament.
- All participants must stop fishing and all boats must be in the launch area at official tournament stop time.
- All fish will be measured from tip of nose to tail (the tail may be pinched to obtain minimum length).
- Measurements at weigh-in will be on the tournament “Golden Rule” with the Tournament Director making the final decision on fish minimum lengths and total weight.
- Any member who attempts to weigh-in a fish less than the State minimum length requirement loses his biggest fish.
- Any boat bringing in more than five fish will lose their biggest fish.
- Each dead fish brought to weigh-in will result in a .20 ounce deduction 1/5th 0f a pound per dead fish. The total weight deduction will be deducted from your total weight. If your lunker is dead the deduction will still come off your total weight, UNLESS your lunker is your only fish
- Every effort will be made to minimize the handling time of the fish during weigh-in. All the fish must be brought to the scales in an approved weigh-in bag. Fish cannot be brought to weigh-in scales by hand.
- Any member who leaves the tournament early must inform another member or place a note on the windshield of another member’s vehicle prior to early departure.
- Members will clean boats and equipment after weigh-in is completed.
- The Tournament Director will instruct teams where to release fish after they are weighed.
- Only "clip on" culling floats will now be permitted. The old style "push through" type is now prohibited from use. It is the ANGLER'S responsibility to leave your big fish tagged for your Big Fish entry. One Big Fish will be weighed. It's up to the ANGLER not the Tournament Director to make that decision
- There is a 5 fish limit, meaning no more than 5 fish in your live well at any one time. Absolutely no culling of fish at the ramp.
- Penalties for being late to weigh in are as follows: 1 to 5 minutes late to weigh in is a 1lb. deduction. 6 to 10 minutes late to weigh in is a 2lb. deduction. 11 t0 15 minutes late to weigh in is a 3lb. deduction. 15 minutes or more late to weigh in is Disqualification.
- Violations of rule number 7, 10 and 17 will be a loss of your biggest fish and exemption from lunker pool.
ARTICLE 6 section 2
TIES:
- Scales will be set to 100ths of an ounce new this year.
- First tie breaker will be the teams number of fish weighed.
- Second tie breaker will be the teams biggest fish weighed. If no biggest fish is weighed by a team, they will forfeit their tie breaker.
POINTS:
- Points are awarded according to placement starting at 100 and descending by 2
- If a team shows up and fishes, but weigh no fish, that team will receive 60 points.
- If a team does not show or participate, that team will receive a zero.
- Each team will drop 1 tournament score from total points at the end of season (lowest Score).
ARTICLE 7
TOURNAMENT AND LUNKER FEES:
- Entry fee is $60 for a two man team
- Entry fee is $50 for a one man team
- There is a $10 fee for each member for "lunker pool"
Tournament Pay-out:
- 5 or less boats will pay first and second place only. 60%-30% and 10% to club
- 6 or more boats will pay first, second, and third places. 40%, 30%, 20%, and 10% to club
Lunker Pay-out:
1.Over (8) boats, 2 pay-outs. under 8 boats winner take 90% club takes 10%
Click here for a membership form - Never On Sunday Membership Form