Tiderunner Bassmasters Charter & By-Laws
CHARTER
PURPOSE:
To provide an environment for bass fishermen to participate in a competitive but friendly tournament atmosphere, while
sharing knowledge and experiences to promote camaraderie among fellow members.
GOALS:
To offer a variety of fishing situations and opportunities to help each member become a more proficient bass angler; to
promote good sportsmanship; to preserve and improve our natural resources; to help to preserve our bass fishery; to
provide a link to the bass fishing community.
BY-LAWS, TOURNAMENT AND STANDING RULES
ARTICLE 1: MEMBERSHIP
(A) Any persons desiring membership must be a member in good standing of B.A.S.S., shall complete a membership
application, and shall be sponsored by a current club member. Perspective members must attend a club meeting and
a club tournament during the club tournament season prior to being voted upon for membership. In between club
tournament seasons, perspective members must attend two (2) club meetings before being voted upon for
membership. Two (2) or more "no" votes prevents membership in the club. New members are subject to a one (1)
year probationary period from the date of being voted into membership with Tiderunner Bassmasters
(B) Club members are required to pay annual Maryland B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation and B.A.S.S. Nation dues
(currently $20.00 and $20.00 respectively), and Club dues of $60.00. All dues will be paid in full by the December Club
meeting. Club dues for newly accepted members shall be prorated monthly ($5.00/month). In addition, new members
shall pay a one time initiation fee of $15.00; in return,new members will be provided with a Club hat.
(C) Membership shall be limited to eighteen (18) members, consisting of at least 60% boat owners as shown in chart
below.
MEMBERS: BOATERS / NON-BOATERS
6 4 2
7 5 2
8 5 3
9 6 3
10 6 4
11 7 4
12 8 4
13 8 5
14 9 5
15 9 6
16 10 6
17 11 6
18 11 7
(D) Members classified as a boat owner must have a "Tournament Qualified" Bass Boat. A "Tournament Qualified"
Bass Boat is defined as:
1. Boat specifically designed for tournament bass fishing, as determined by a vote of the club membership.
2. Boat with a minimum length of sixteen (16) feet.
3. No less than 60 horsepower.
4. All boats must be equipped with the following required equipment, PFD's (1 per person), throw device, day and night
signaling device, sound device, fire extinguisher, navigational lights, anchor, paddle, functional bilge pump, aerated live
wells, and a kill switch.
(E) Inactive Members - A member in good club standing may request a transfer to Inactive Membership status of up to
one(1) year maximum for personal reasons. The status of inactive members shall be reviewed by the club
membership, and may be extended by club vote if warranted. Approval of transfer shall be by a majority vote of club
membership. A member transferring to Inactive status shall not be eligible for refund of paid membership and
tournament fees, and shall not be listed on the club roster. An Inactive Member may transfer back to active status by
advising the President of his desire to do so. If the transfer to Inactive status and back to Active status occurs in the
same calendar year, member is not required to pay club membership and tournament fees again; if the transfer back to
Active status occurs in a different calendar year, member is required to pay membership and tournament fees on a
prorated basis. Inactive members may fish club tournaments as a Guest. Inactive members are not eligible for club
awards or tournament lunker pot.
ARTICLE 2: MEETINGS
Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month unless otherwise changed due to a schedule conflict. Attendance
at meetings and scheduled Club tournaments is expected. A quorum is required at club meetings to conduct club
business. A quorum is defined as over 50% of club membership including one officer including one (1) officer.
Meetings shall be conducted in an orderly manner.
ARTICLE 3: OFFICERS & DUTIES
(A) PRESIDENT - Provides the members with leadership and oversees the Club meetings. Represents the Club to the
MBF. Presides over nominations and election of new club officers. Appoints committee chairmen and Club
representatives. Procures door prizes for Club meetings. Votes on Club matters at the discretion of the Club
members. Maintains file of new member applications.
(B) VICE-PRESIDENT - Presides over matters in the absence of the President or the Tournament Chairman. Reports
Club information to the Southern Region Reporter and club web master. Club conservation representative to the MBF.
Responsible for public relations functions. Conducts annual audit of Club treasury.
(C) SECRETARY - Takes minutes of Club meetings and handles the Club correspondence. Maintains club roster
information pertaining to MBF and BASS NATION.
(D) TREASURER - Responsible for accounting and disbursements of Club funds. Provides monthly
revenues/disbursements report to President.
(E) TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN - Schedules all tournaments and is responsible for all tournament weigh-in records, and
to provide those records at Club meetings. Procures Club trophies and plaques.
Nominations of Club officers shall be taken at the November meeting. Nominations may also be made by
proxy. Election of club officers shall be held at the December meeting. Election of club officers may be
made by proxy vote prior to said meeting, if a member cannot attend. A quorum is required for election of
Club officers.
ARTICLE 4: COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
(A) SOUTHERN REGION REPRESENTATIVE - Appointed by the President. Attends the Southern Region meetings and
provides a report of same at Club meetings. Represents the Club to the Southern Region for voting purposes.
(B) CLUB HISTORIAN - Appointed by the President. Takes Club photos at Tournaments and activities. Maintains and
distributes member's address and cell phone information to membership. Maintains the Club photo album. Prepares
the Club Yearly Activity Packet for the MBF.
(C) SAFETY DIRECTOR - Appointed by the President. Responsible for annual and spot safety inspections of boats to
insure compliance with Coast Guard and Club safety requirements. Compiles club tournament safety packets.
(D) WEBMASTER COMMITTEE – Appointed by the President. Responsible for maintaining and updating the club
website information.
ARTICLE 5: CODE OF CONDUCT
(A) Club members are expected to represent Tiderunner Bassmasters in an ethical and positive manner at all times.
Examples of unacceptable conduct include, but are not limited to: unsafe boat operation; lack of boating/fishing
courtesy and sportsmanship; failure to attend meetings; failure to inform the Tournament Chairman and your fishing
partner by the Thursday before a tournament if you cannot attend a scheduled tournament; tournament rules
violations; and failure to abide by fishing and boating regulations.
(B) Any violations by a Club member shall be subject to review by a hearing panel consisting of the Officers and the
Safety Director. Disciplinary action, if warranted, shall be rendered against the guilty member based on the infraction
or infractions.
ARTICLE 6: REIMBURSEMENTS
(A) Mr. BASS Representative - The club shall pay the club Mr. Bass representative reasonable expenses related to
fishing the MBF Mr. Bass tournament including entry and ramp fees, accommodations, vehicle gas and tolls, and boat
tournament gas, subject to presentation of receipts and approval by board of officers. Minimum reimbursement of
$160.00.
(B) Mr. BASS Observer(s) - The club shall pay member volunteers as Mr. Bass observer $20.00 per day towards
expenses.
(C) Two day Tournaments - On two day trips, 50% of expenses of a club member forced to fish or room without a
partner will be reimbursed by the club. If a member chooses to fish alone, no expenses will be reimbursed by the club.
(D) RSQT Expenses - Club reimbursements for members fishing the State Qualifying Tournament shall be by club vote.
ARTICLE 7: RULES FOR FISHING TOURNAMENTS
(A) TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE - The schedule will be drafted at the first meeting of the year, and presented by the
Tournament Chairman at the second meeting for final vote. Tournaments will be nine (9) hours long; tournament
length may be changed by the Tournament Chairman and President as deemed necessary. For 2007, there will be ten
(10) tournaments scheduled. The highest eight (8) finishes for each member will be counted towards Mr. Bass points
total.
(B) PARTNER PAIRINGS - Pairings of boaters and non-boaters will be on a rotation basis as established by the
Tournament Chairman. Boaters without partners may pair up with another boater, fish alone, or bring a guest. Pairing
changes may be made as deemed necessary by the Tournament Chairman. Launch sequence, muster site, and
muster time will also be determined by the Tournament Chairman. Tournament site changes will be determined by club
vote.
(C) ENTRY FEES - Entry fees shall consist of $5.00 per tournament (to Club Treasury). Entry fees for the year are
paid in advance, and must be paid in full before the first tournament. Entry fees are non-refundable.
(D) LUNKER POT - Each club tournament will have an optional $5.00 per participant Lunker Pot, awarded to the angler
who catches the heaviest fish of the tournament (3 lb. minimum). If no fish of 3 lb. or more is caught, the Lunker Pot
money rolls over to the next tournament. On rollover pots, all participants must be up to date on all lunker pot fees.
The Lunker Pot for the last Club tournament of the year goes to the angler catching the heaviest fish, regardless of
weight. If no eligible fish is caught at the last club tournament of the year, the lunker pot goes to the club treasury.
Guests are not eligible for the lunker pot.
(E) PLACING - Placing will be determined by points as established by the Club Tournament Point System.
(F) EXPENSES - Individual tournament expenses (in total) will be determined by the boat owner and on-boat partner.
Each will share 50% of the cost
.
(G) TOURNAMENT CANCELLATIONS - to be determined by the President and the Tournament Chairman and
announced to members by the night prior to the tournament (if possible).
(H) Eligible fish must be Black Bass species only.
(I) All size and quantity limits of host state or local jurisdiction shall apply. Unless otherwise regulated, measurement
shall be from tip of nose to sweep of tail. No fish under twelve (12) inches shall be eligible for Club tournaments. Each
contestant's smallest fish shall be measured for eligibility.
(J) The Tournament Chairman shall be the judge of fish eligibility (minimum size and lunker).
(K) All participants must have all appropriate fishing licenses in effect at time of tournament.
(L) The Tournament Chairman or designee will determine adequate (safe) distance between boats during the "ooze off'.
(approximately 15 seconds).
(M) The "ramp area", time of day and weigh in time will be announced by the Tournament Chairman to all tournament
anglers prior to "ooze off'. Anyone determined to be late for weigh-in by the Tournament Chairman will lose his largest
fish. Anyone later than fifteen (15) minutes to the weigh-in will forfeit all fish. There will be a four (4) ounce penalty for
each dead fish weighed in.
(N) The first boat on location has the right-of-way. A respectable distance of at least twenty five (25) yards between
boats shall be honored unless agreed upon between boats. Observe common courtesy!
(O) All members must remain at the launch site until all tournament boats are in and accounted for.
(P) If a member is fifteen (15) minutes or more late for muster time, the Club will depart for the launch site. The late
member will meet at the launch site, and leave a note on another member's vehicle windshield prior to launch.
(Q) Anyone leaving a Club tournament early due to an emergency shall contact another tournament boater or leave a
note on a member's windshield prior to departing.
(R) CATCH & RELEASE - No fish under 5 pounds shall be kept, unless dead.
(S) Life vests must be worn while the gasoline engine is engaged in gear.
(T) All fish must be weighed on Club scales.
(U) Landing nets are permitted.
(V) All angling must be done from tournament boats.
(W) No live bait in Club tournaments. Only artificial and prepared pork baits are allowed.
(X) All boats shall be operated in a safe and courteous manner.
(Y) No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed during Club tournament hours (muster through weigh-in).
(Z) Any member voicing a protest or rules infraction shall present it to the Tournament Chairman by the end of the
tournament weigh in. The protest shall be reviewed by the Tournament Chairman and the President, and a decision
will be made prior to departing the launch site. This decision is FINAL! In the event the protest is against the the
Tournament Chairman or the President, their place(s) shall be taken by the highest officer(s) present.
(AA) All Club members must wear Club hats and Club shirts at blast-offs and weigh-ins for all Club tournaments and
tournaments where they represent the Club.
ARTICLE 8: MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
(A) A Tiderunner Bassmasters Member of the Year award shall be awarded to the member who, in the club
membership's opinion, best exemplifies the values of the club for the year. This award is based on activities both
inside and outside of the club, as well as attitude, time donated, additional work performed, and the contribution that
the member makes toward the positive growth and development of Tiderunner Bassmasters.
(B) Nominations shall be completed and turned in by the November club meeting. The nomination shall provide
specific reasons for the member being nominated. Nominations should be submitted anonymously. The nominations
shall be read at the December meeting, and a ballot of nominees shall be passed out and voted on by the meeting
attendees. The winner shall be announced at the club awards banquet.
(C) The winner of the Member of the Year award shall receive a personal plaque for their accomplishment. Also, the
"member of the year" shall be awarded his choice of the awards banquet fees for the member and his guest being paid
by the club, or his $50.00 tournament fees being paid by the club.
TOURNAMENT POINT SYSTEM
INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENTS:
(1) Starting at 20 points, each participant receives points in descending 1 point increments based on the most weight
caught.
(2) Ties for weight share the average of the points for the range of the places they would have covered. (i.e.: three way
tie for second... 19,18,17 would be 18 points for all three finishers.)
Note: This includes ties for participants who did not catch a fish. Their places would start the next increment
down from the last participant who weighed in a fish.
(3) Bonus Points: Each participant receives 2 bonus points for each 5 pounds of fish caught per tournament day.
POINTS FOR "MR. BASS"
(1) Total of placement points and bonus points for all tournaments fished during the year.
Note: You do not get any points for tournaments that you do not fish.
(2) Tie will be broken by using the following order:
a. Total weight
b. Number of fish caught
c. Largest fish caught
d. Highest number of lead finishes (Most firsts, seconds, etc.)
e. Tied (coin toss for fishing "Mr. Bass")
CHANGES TO BYLAWS
1/5/1998 Article 5C: Changed entry fees from $3.00 (to Club Treasury) and $2.00 (Lunker Pot) to $5.00 (to Club
Treasury) and $5.00 (Lunker Pot).
7/10/2000 Bylaws reviewed and revised.
4/28/2001 Charter and Bylaws reviewed and revised.
4/16/2002 Charter and Bylaws reviewed and revised.
4/12/2003 Charter and Bylaws reviewed and revised.
4/4/2004 Charter and Bylaws reviewed and revised.
4/5/2005 Charter and Bylaws reviewed and revised.
4/3/2006 Charter and Bylaws reviewed and revised.
8/21/2007 Charter and Bylaws reviewed and revised.