BECOME A MEMBER

To Current and Prospective Club Members,

The Border City Bassmasters Fishing Club is a Grassroots Organization that has started in 2024, in Windsor-Essex, as an affiliated club within the Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation (OBN) whose members are part of the B.A.S.S. Nation. Our Club is one of twenty-four (24) within the OBN that represent Canada with some members competing against other B.A.S.S. Chapters in the USA and Internationally. Membership in the Border City Bassmasters is open to anyone eighteen (18) years of age and older who has an interest or passion for bass angling, with those under eighteen (18) invited to join our High School Club. As a Club registered with the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) members are required to obtain their B.A.S.S. Membership when they become a member of the Border City Bassmasters, or any OBN Club.

 

As a Grassroots Club our focus is on education, instruction and conservation. Anglers vary in skill level and experience, with or without access to a boat, and are given every opportunity to grow in our sport through mentorship, club tournaments and club meetings. The club may also engage in various community activities throughout the year, including conservation projects, angling demonstrations and youth initiatives throughout the region.

 

Our Club Tournaments are structured to help anglers’ experience tournament fishing, without the major financial implications of a true competitive circuit, by having Boaters and Co-Anglers fish together with new partners throughout the season. Anglers will share knowledge and experience between the “Weekend Warrior” and Tournament experienced veterans, learning new techniques and what to anticipate on the tournament scene as well as gaining Club Angler of the Year (AOY) Points along the
way.

 

Any member looking to compete at a higher level will have an incredible opportunity to enter tournaments sanctioned by B.A.S.S. starting with The Hank Gibson Provincial Qualifier. Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation members can challenge for a coveted spot on Team Ontario, which is comprised of Boaters and Co-Anglers, who then challenge other U.S.A. State and International Teams at the B.A.S.S. Nationals. Finalists may even earn a berth to the Bassmaster Classic if they succeed at Nationals. The B.A.S.S. Opens and National Qualifiers also offer up opportunities for Members to test their skills against other seasoned tournament anglers for a chance to gain entry to the Bassmaster Classic, or become an Elite Angler.

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Modeled after the B.A.S.S. blueprint, Boaters and Co-Anglers who enter the Ontario Provincial Qualifier are paired up with members from other clubs, and while they are not competing against each other, they are fishing as individuals and competing against the other respective Boaters and Co-Anglers in the tournament. This continues at Nationals where Boaters and Co-Anglers are once again paired up with members from other Nation Chapters, fishing respectively against others in their category, not against the other angler in the boat. This is why, at the Club Level, we feel that it is imperative to prepare our anglers for this higher competition by having our club Tournaments follow the same formula.

 

Club etiquette and respect for one another is a very important among members. It is understood that the more experienced anglers, especially the boaters, have put significant time and effort into learning and practicing, locating fish and using techniques which have made them successful. Co-Anglers, and those new to the sport, have an opportunity to learn and experience many elements of tournament angling, albeit in an environment that it significantly more low-key. They are encouraged to appreciate these opportunities and share some of the costs during each tournament while not giving away what
they have learned, where or how they have fished, out of respect to the Boater. Conversely, our Boaters are encouraged to understand and respect the limited opportunities that Co-Anglers have had and not treat them unequally but be encouraging, supportive and mentor them when they can. This becomes mutually beneficial in the long run as both anglers continue to bond and excel as people and anglers.

 

Whether members are participating in a club tournament, attending a club meeting or volunteering at a community event it is always expected that conduct and character will be exemplary towards one another and the public. Opinions and ideas are encouraged to be shared without fear of judgement, criticism or aggression. It is understood that while there may be disagreements between individuals, there is a system in place to voice any concerns or issues without prejudice or malice. If something doesn’t work, it can be changed after it has been given an opportunity to be expressed or explored, through due process. Any harassment, verbal, physical or by other means, by any of our members, will not be tolerated in public, through social media or in private and will be formally addressed by the Club Executive. The environment within the Border City Bassmasters is one that is meant to encourage learning, friendship and fun.

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Surrounded by some of the BEST smallmouth bass fishing in the world, the Border City Bassmasters are a passionate and dedicated club of anglers from the Windsor-Essex Region and surrounding areas. Our members belong to B.A.S.S. and our grassroots club is affiliated with the Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation. The door is always open for anyone looking for something new and exciting to drop in and check us out.

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Thank You, 
Chris Kilgore (President)